Vilardi awaits first NHL outdoor game at Heritage Classic
The Jets forward will make his outdoor NHL debut when Winnipeg hosts Montreal at Princess Auto Stadium on Sunday.
Gabriel Vilardi is preparing for his first NHL outdoor appearance when the Winnipeg Jets face the Montreal Canadiens in Sunday’s Heritage Classic. The Oct. 25 game at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg begins at 7 p.m. ET.
Vilardi told NHL.com that playing outside recalls the way he learned the sport. He had imagined snow as part of the setting, though he did not expect that forecast for Sunday. “It’s going to be a cool experience,” he said.
Coach Scott Arniel spoke about the event before Thursday’s game in Dallas, saying he expected “an unreal atmosphere.” For Arniel, playing at home against Montreal also brings back memories of childhood games on outdoor ice.
Winnipeg completed its last game before the Heritage Classic with a 3-2 overtime loss to Dallas on Thursday. Vilardi scored one of the Jets’ two goals. The club now returns home for the outdoor meeting with the Canadiens.
