WINNIPEG — Playoff fever is rising another notch in Winnipeg as the National Hockey League Jets advance to the western conference finals.
Jets-themed merchandise is flying off local shelves, downtown offices are filled with workers wearing Jets jerseys and organizers are having to cap attendance at street parties on game nights.
The frenzy is familiar to some former Jets stars in town to celebrate a team championship in the former World Hockey Association 40 years ago.
Anders Hedberg, a forward on the 1978 team, says the passion and the excitement in Winnipeg now is much like 1978, but there is more media exposure.
Joe Daley, a goalie in 1978, says playoff fever this time is much bigger, due in part to the thousands of people who flock to downtown street parties dressed in white.
The Jets take on the Vegas Golden Knights in the first game of their series on Saturday in Winnipeg.
The Canadian Press