Photo credit: XNeal Pionk and the Winnipeg Jets' Cinderella season has finally concluded. After being eliminated from the playoffs by the Dallas Stars, Neal Pionk released a statement to the media after the heartbreaking defeat.
After Game 6, the Winnipeg Jets season was over. The Jets were a team who were underrated, and had a deep, talented unit who functioned as one.
The group was really special, as they'd take themselves to the top of the Central Division, with a record of 56-22-4, and 1st in the division.
The team would a press conference after the 2-1 defeat to the Stars. The game was undergirded by a team that'd rally around their top-line center, Mark Scheifele who had lost his father Brad, the night before.
Instead of sitting it out, he wanted to compete.
Now, both Pionk and Lowry were in front of the media and solemnly answered the questions given to them.
"Heartbreaking
Was the word that seemed to define the day, considering what their teammate Scheifele went through despite an attempt to overcome the odds in the tough series against Peter DeBoer's Stars.
Family
Pionk and Lowry stressed the point that the Jets team treats each other like family. They attempted to give each other the kind of strength they needed in the face of a tragic circumstance, but were unable to push through to the end of the series.
But the group itself sounds like a tight-knit Jets team, and hopefully carries into next season, with Scott Arniel at the helm.
Scheifele should be commended for following through and playing the game, even though he didn't have to.
While Lowry and Pionk sound like the true leaders of this team during the interview.
