Poor Winnipeg. Alas

While I was pretty sure Winnipeg was in Canada somewhere, I didn't know where. Turns out, Canada's a mighty big country. Second largest in the world, I think, behind Russia. The hosers have tons of room to move around.

And it's a pretty safe bet most Canadians are still crazy about hockey. That's cool. Beats soccer or beach volleyball any day.

Lo and behold, Winnipeg is in a province called Manitoba. A little bit north across the border from North Dakota and those dreaded American know-it-alls to the south. And we know how many problems the Yanks have brought upon themselves with their evil and immoral ways.

To the surprise of many, the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL now find themselves in the Western Conference semi-finals, taking on the Nashville Predators.

More than a few pundits thought Nashville might well go on to win the Stanley Cup this year. They're pretty good. (No offense, Tampa Bay).

But the Jets weren't supposed to beat the Preds. OK, after four games the series was tied 2-2. But Nashville, with home-ice advantage, would host Game 5.

Surprise, Winnipeg went into country music land and blitzed the Preds to the tune of 6-2 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. Say what?

Everything was lined up for them to close out the series in Game Six, back in the friendly, and rabid confines of their own arena.

Their fans were certainly ready. See all the hard-cores with their faces painted blue and white chanting and otherwise working themselves into a frenzy before the game started.

Alas, it was not to be.

Those dad-burned hicks from Elvisland made the trek to the great white north, marched into Bell MTS Place -- whatever that means -- home of the Jets -- and promptly stuffed the locals to the tune of 4-zip. Series tied 3-3, and headed back to Nashville for the deciding Game 7. No doubt the Preds will be heavily favored. But ya never know how it might turn out.....

Yet it could be argued the Winnipeg fans had it backwards. Especially those that paid big bucks to attend Game 6 at MTS (Move Those Skates? Make That Save? Many Thousands Snowbound?) Beats me.

Thing is, they all showed up at the arena wearing white. Kinda scary, but could and would have been a lot worse if they'd worn tall pointy hats as well. Talk about cold. Brrr.

The problem? Their team was dressed in blue uniforms that day.

The visiting Predators wore white unis.

How can they expect to be champions when their PR folks can't even seem to get their colors right?

Nonetheless, here's to Winnipeg, and all of Manitoba for that matter. One of these days, I should probably visit there, just to check it out.

But you can bet it won't be in the dead of winter. They can have all that snow and frigid weather, thank you very much -- but nah.

I may be a lot of things -- opinions vary -- but the Abominable Snowman or a polar bear I am decidedly not.

Good luck Jets. You might pull this off yet.

But you blew your big chance in Game 6.

It's gonna be mighty tough in Grand Ole Opry Land to keep the hopes alive.

And hey, at least get the colors right this time, for the few that travel to see a road game.