Jets Nation celebrating Winnipeg's deep playoff run in Sin City
Team's supporters travel to Vegas for Games 3 and 4
Winnipeg Jets fans have arrived in Las Vegas revelling in the novelty of both their team in the third round of NHL playoffs and coming to Sin City to watch it.
"We've been waiting our whole lifetime to be this deep in the series and then you throw Las Vegas in it, it's nuts," said Chris Kirkwood in the shade of T-Mobile Arena.
The Jets trailed the expansion Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 in the NHL's Western Conference final with Game 4 back at T-Mobile on Friday and the series returning to Winnipeg for Sunday's Game 5.
Some Jets fans had long travel days to follow their team.
"I went to the Jets game the night before, got three hours of sleep, hopped on a plane, went through Vancouver, San Francisco," Mark Kuriata said. "Left at 6:30 in the morning, got to Vegas at seven o'clock and was in bed by nine."
Kuriata, a season-ticket holder since the Jets returned to Winnipeg in 2011, firmly believes his team is Canada's team now.
'It's a lifetime dream'
"Absolutely. How could you not love the Jets?" he said. "It's a lifetime dream to go this far in the playoffs and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup."
Direct flights from Winnipeg to Las Vegas are not a daily occurrence, but WestJet added an extra non-stop flight both Thursday and again Sunday in addition to its regular route in anticipation of a Game 6 back in Vegas.
White-clad Jets fans mixed with Knights supporters in front of T-Mobile prior to Wednesday's Game 3.
Pam Herda, a Winnipeg native now living in California, went all out with her costume sporting a white wig, oversized white sunglasses and white dress.
Anthem singer Carnell Johnson hospitably paused during O Canada on Wednesday to allow Jets fans to chime in with their traditional "True North" shout.
Johnson, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is a gondoleer at the The Venetian hotel and serenades his lucky passengers.
Even in a self-imposed team bubble, Jets head coach Paul Maurice was aware of the arrival of Jets Nation.
'They're in. They're invested'
"Everybody is having their own little good time with this," Maurice said. "It's its own little story, and its own party.
"And the ones that are fortunate enough to get on a plane to come down, they want to keep it going. They're in. They're invested. They're spending money and emotional capital and if they can get on a plane they're doing it."
Ronnie Chubaty, his brother Brandon and Kim Carnahan arrived well ahead of Game 3 on Sunday and spent the time waiting for puck drop "drinking and sitting by the pool," among other entertainments, Ronny said.
"Everything we can't do in Winnipeg," chimed in Carnahan.
Chubaty says he paid $270 for his Game 3 ticket. Chubaty felt the unexpected success of the Golden Knights in the team's first year in the league bodes well for other cities wanting an NHL team.
"I did not to expect Vegas to get this far. I love it. Great people. Lots of fun," Chubaty said. "I think it's good for the NHL. Seattle, Quebec, there's a couple rumours, Kansas City. It might work out well for them."
The trio wasn't staying for Game 4, however, and was heading back to Winnipeg on Thursday.
"I love the way the Jets brought Winnipeg together," Brandon said. "Downtown, all the crowds. You see the signs everywhere, you see car flags everywhere. I just love the feel. We're all like one family."