Panthers coach Paul Maurice expects funny response from Jets fans

After Florida Panthers fans serenaded the Winnipeg Jets with chants of 'overrated' during the home side's 5-0 triumph on Saturday in Sunrise, Winnipeggers will have a quick chance to make their own mark.

The reigning Stanley Cup champs are in Winnipeg on Tuesday night to face the league-leading Jets, and Panthers coach Paul Maurice is well aware of the reputation of Jets fans to provide some, umm, creative feedback.

Maurice, who coached the Jets from 2014-21, praised both fan bases before Tuesday's rematch.

"I kind of like that (the Panthers fans' response), there was some respect in that," Maurice said. "They follow the game now, they follow the team and they know Winnipeg is off to a historical start.

"I went to a (Blue) Bombers game a few years ago and I sat beside four guys and it was a comedy show the entire night. I think the funniest fans in the league are here. They are awesome. It will be pretty good. I'll try to have my card in front of my face when that happens if I can."

Just a few weeks ago, Winnipeg fans earned full marks for originality when they chanted "U.S. backup" at Stars goalie Jake Oettinger as fellow American-born goalie Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets beat Dallas.

It was just another example of the passion Winnipeg fans have for their big two teams — the Jets and Blue Bombers

Maurice, after winning the Stanley Cup last season, said in an on-ice interview that he hoped the Jets could win the next Stanley Cup.

He expanded on that thought Tuesday.

"It's like most things in my life, it's out of my mouth before my brain decides if I should say it or not," Maurice said, drawing chuckles. "I can't explain the emotion and it's different for everybody. There's this incredible sense of peace, love. I love those guys in that room and it's so hard to win.

"But I feel the same way about everybody here. I still love this place. My daughter lives here, my kids went to high school here. so much of this is just home. And Winnipeg is a special team. It's not like anyplace else. It's in a different market, it's not the biggest market. They've lost their team, it's come back, there's a connection there. I'd love all the people I love here in Winnipeg to feel like I was feeling on the ice."

However, Maurice did make one clarification to his comments from the immediate aftermath of capturing the Cup.

"I think I used the word next (for Winnipeg to win) but I didn't mean next year," he said with a smile. "We'd like to hang on to it if we can for a while. Maybe after we're done."

Maurice wouldn't be surprised if the Jets are a strong contender for the title this season.

"They've come of age," he said. "Their best players, I think they might even be a little bit older than we are. These guys are now in their prime. They've played together. They have a really, really strong structure, not just to their game, but their lineup.

Maurice also took time to offer kind words to Blue Bombers coach Mike O'Shea, who has faced criticism locally after his favoured team lost to the Toronto Argonauts in Sunday's Grey Cup. It marked the team's third Grey Cup loss in a row after Winnipeg captured the previous two.

Maurice and O'Shea, who both grew up in Northern Ontario, got to know one another when both were coaching in Winnipeg.

"What I like about it mostly is when we had coffee early on, things weren't great with the Blue Bombers," he said. "I don't know enough about football, but it seems to me like he built that. I've been on both sides of it now, not as often on the good side as he has. But I'd hope once the pain goes away there's a tremendous amount of pride for the program he's built and in this community for how special it is, how hard it is to do what he's done."