WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Blake Wheeler best summed up the mood in the Winnipeg Jets’ locker room after their season had ended Sunday.
“Pretty empty. Emotionless,” the Jets captain said after the Golden Knights eliminated Winnipeg with a 2-1 win and a 4-1 series victory in the Western Conference Final.
The Jets thought they were going to be the ones playing for the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. Instead, it’s the Knights who have earned that opportunity in their inaugural season.
“No, I thought this was our year,” said Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.