Winnipeg already was gripped by playoff fever. Now Authentic Mason Cole Jersey , with the Jets in the Western Conference final, the temperature is rising further.

Jets merchandise is flying off shelves, downtown office workers are decked out in team jerseys and organizers must cap attendance at 20,000 for street parties on game nights.

The passion surpasses that of the glory days of 40 years ago when the Jets were champions of the World Hockey Association. Stars of that team are in town this week to join the festivities.

”I don’t recollect any sporting event … bringing the fans into the downtown area and into the excitement that there is today,” Joe Daley, the 1978 squad’s goalie, said before the Jets hosted Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. ”I think it’s unbelievable what’s going on.”

Anders Hedberg, the right wing who notched 63 goals in 1978 and later returned to his native Sweden, told The Canadian Press he’s not surprised by how fans in the NHL’s smallest market have filled the arena and the streets.

”The relationship to the game is the closest here of all the teams in the National Hockey League,” he said.

The street parties feature fans dressing up in white Youth Russell Bodine Jersey , watching on big screens next to the arena and listening to onstage entertainment.

Organizers said Friday that for the rest of the playoffs, attendance will be capped and fans must get free tickets in advance if they want to get in. By Friday afternoon, some online ads were offering to resell those free tickets at $25 or more.

Fans can even taste the excitement. A chocolate maker has started selling Jets-themed chocolates in the shape of pucks.

The feeling has been a long time coming for Winnipeg. The Canadian Football League Blue Bombers haven’t won a championship since 1990 and the original Jets never made it this far before leaving for Phoenix in 1996.

The new version of the Jets relocated from Atlanta in 2011 and was swept in the opening round in 2015, the team’s only playoff appearance before this year.

”The entire city, you can really feel the energy,” said Josh Drury, who along with his wife splits time between home in Winnipeg and running a business in Las Vegas. His loyalty lies completely with the Jets.

”This is really uncharted territory. … Winnipeg sports fans are kind of used to disappointment,” he said.

Daley continued to live in Winnipeg after his playing days. He says this playoff run is great for the city.

”We forget about all the shortcomings that everybody else in Canada thinks we have as a city,” he said. ”Right now, we’re No. 1 in Canada.”

24. CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-6)

LAST SEASON: Panthers reached playoffs for third time in four seasons under coach Ron Rivera Tyquan Lewis Jersey Colts , but bowed out in first round with loss to New Orleans. Saints swept three games from Panthers, so finding better ways to match up against them will be priority. General manager Marty Hurney is back in charge in Carolina, making calls on draft day after Dave Gettleman was fired last summer.

THEY NEED: DE, S, CB, RB, TE, WR, G, QB.

THEY DON'T NEED: QB Cheap Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , DT, LB, T, K, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama; WR D.J. Moore, Maryland; TE Hayden Hurst, South Carolina; CB Josh Jackson, Iowa; DE-LB Harold Landry, Boston College; DE Marcus Davenport http://www.seahawksauthorizedshops.com/authentic-d.j.-fluker-jersey , UTSA; S Derwin James, Florida State.

OUTLOOK: Panthers need help all over after losing handful of veteran. Hurney has flexibility to take best player remaining on board. Panthers re-signed DE Julius Peppers for one more year, need young replacement there after cutting starter Charles Johnson. Carolina also let go of Jonathan Stewart, so will need running back to pair with last year's first-rounder, Christian McCaffrey. Carolina could use thumper at safety after parting with Kurt Coleman. Torrey Smith was added to mix at wide receiver, but drafting deep threat is possible. Long-term replacement for TE Greg Olsen is also option and Hurst makes ton of sense if he's still around at No. 24 given he is ranked by some as best DT. Carolina also needs CB to replace Daryl Worley, traded to Philadelphia 鈥?and subsequently released by Eagles following off-field incident. Also need to give Cam Newton more weapons to work with on offense. Adding speed there should be priority.

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