DALLAS – The handshake line at the conclusion of a Stanley Cup Playoff series is widely regarded as one of hockey`s most treasured traditions. It serves as a powerful demonstration of empathy and respect within a sport that can often be quite physical and intense. It’s a display of sportsmanship that one might wish was more common in wider human interaction.
However, rarely has this exchange between opposing National Hockey League players felt as profoundly moving, both admirable and filled with sorrow, as it did on Saturday night. This was evident when the Winnipeg Jets lined up to shake hands with the victorious Dallas Stars following their 2-1 overtime defeat.
The deep emotional weight of the moment wasn`t solely tied to the end of the Jets` season – a truly devastating outcome for a team that had secured the Presidents` Trophy and harbored genuine ambitions of reaching the Western Conference Final, and potentially competing for the Stanley Cup itself. Instead, the moment was overshadowed by the commencement of a period of mourning for their team leader.
Mark Scheifele, the player with the longest tenure on the Jets roster, made the difficult decision to participate in Game 6. This was despite having received the devastating news earlier on Saturday morning that his father, Brad, had passed away back home in Ontario.
Scheifele notably scored the only goal for Winnipeg in the game. Tragically, he found himself in the penalty box during overtime when Dallas defenseman Thomas Harley fired a slapshot past goaltender Connor Hellebuyck just 1:33 into the extra frame. This goal sealed the victory for the Stars, propelling them into their third consecutive conference final.