Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel was not pleased with the number of Montreal Canadiens fans at the Canada Life Centre Wednesday as his team suffered a 5-1 blowout loss.
“Yeah, that’s pretty disappointing,” Arniel told reporters post game. “That’s probably the worst that I’ve seen it in my four years back here tonight. That was really disappointing.”
Wednesday’s game represented the last for the Jets before the Olympic break, leaving the team with a 22-26-8 record at the pause, 11 points back of the Anaheim Ducks for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Jets have a 12-11-5 record on home ice this season after going 30-7-4 in Winnipeg last year en route to winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
Taking over opposing rinks has become a trend for the Canadiens, with Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Ottawa Senators defencemen Jake Sanderson recently echoing similar frustrations to Arniel’s.
“I really, really appreciate the fans that came out, but I don’t want to see that many red in the future,” Dahlin said after a 4-2 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday.
“Yeah, we’re used to it,” Sanderson said after a 6-5 loss to Montreal on Jan. 17. “Playing an away game at home, it happens quite often. It is what it is.”
The Canadiens have found no shortage of success on the road this season, going 16-6-7 while travelling compared to a 16-11-1 record on home ice.
Montreal sits second in the Atlantic Division, four points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning with three more games played.