Winnipeg Jets star Mark Scheifele played in Saturday night’s playoff game with a heavy heart, scoring a goal just hours after his dad, Brad’s unexpected death.
Scheifele considered not taking the ice in the critical NHL postseason game against the Dallas Stars but forged into battle despite the huge personal loss.
The center was in the right position during the second period just outside the goal crease for a juicy rebound left by Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger.
As Scheifele was alone to take a quick shot, Oettinger shuffled over to protect more of the net. The 32-year-old did the gritty veteran trick and place the puck five-hole, between the goalie’s spread legs, and into the back of the net.
Scheifele’s goal was massively celebrated by his teammates and proved to be the only marker for the Jets on the day.
Several minutes later, Dallas scored the equalizer. Unfortunately for Scheifele, he also committed the game’s only penalty, giving the Stars a power play to begin overtime.
Winnipeg Jets star Mark Scheifele played in Saturday night’s playoff game with a heavy heart
Scheifele scored the Jets’ only goal hours after his father, Brad, unexpectedly passed away
Scheifele tripped up Sam Steel, who scored the equalizer, on a breakaway late in the third period, with officials debating whether the Jets’ star’s actions should have led to a penalty shot instead.
Dallas ultimately scored less than two minutes into overtime, eliminating Winnipeg from the playoffs.
In the handshake line after the series’ conclusion, several Stars players said words of encouragement and gave hugs to a somber Scheifele.
Notably leading the handshake line for the Stars was captain Jamie Benn, who sucker-punched Scheifele during the previous game on Friday night.
Benn was fined $5k by the NHL for the strike. With the pair connecting after Saturday’s game, it appears the confrontation was water under the bridge.
After Scheifele completed his handshakes, his entire team waited for him, letting their heavy-hearted teammate be the first one off the ice.
