Winnipeg Jets fans feel the stress as team makes playoff push

Winnipeg Jets fans' anxiety levels are taking off during the team'slatest push toward the NHL playoffs.

After beating the Minnesota Wild in the Twin Cities on Monday night, the Winnipeg Jets propelled themselves into the second and final wild card spot in the league'sWestern Conference.It was the first time since last Thursday the team occupied a playoff position.

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The Jets' 94 points put them onepoint ahead of last year's Stanley Cup champions, the Los Angeles Kings, as well as the Calgary Flames, who are also battling each other for the third spot in the Pacific Division.

All threeteams have threegames remaining and the Jets' season could come right down to the last game against Calgary on Saturday.

It's enough to leave any Jetsfan feeling unsettled.

"It's hard to watch.The tension is there, I'm screaming at my TV,"said Stew Simons,who splits season tickets with a group of friends.

"I'm getting angry at a sporting event, but we live for this. It's amazing."

HenryHagenaars,who was picking up souvenirs at the Jets Gear store on Tuesdaymorning, said,"I can't miss a game.It's not that I don't want to miss a game;I can't miss a game.

"I think they are giving the fans alot of hope," he added."I mean, all you have to do is look out on the streets. There is not a person not wearing Jets cap, a Jets shirt."

It's a sentiment echoed by other fans.

"It's intense.I mean, everybody is really hoping that they'll make the playoffs,and I know in my house it's the only conversation that is going on," said Tannis Miles,who became a bigger hockey fan after her kids started playing hockey.

A Winnipeg NHL teamhasn'tmade a postseason appearance since the Jets lostin the first round to the Detroit Red Wings in 1996.

A playoff showing this year would certainly bring some excitement to the city since the leaguereturned to Manitobain 2011.

"Everyone would be united.We'd be on the same team.We're all wearing jerseys, you'd be high-fivingstrangers on the street," said Simons.

Feeling superstitious?

Even the fansuperstitions have emerged this week, as Ismaila Alfa, host of CBC Radio's Up to Speed program, found out on Tuesday afternoon.