Heritage Classic Spectator Plaza fun outlet for fans

WINNIPEG-- For Aaron Bird, the 2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic was the ultimate 2-for-1 deal.
Bird, 24, not only got to see his Winnipeg Jets play the Edmonton Oilers in the outdoor game Sunday, he also got to see his favorite band, Sum 41, play a pregame set at the Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic Spectator Plaza.
The hockey-themed, family-friendly plaza served as the official pregame fan festival and was packed with ticket holders awaiting the Heritage Classic.

"I bought their "All Killer, No Filler" album when I was 13 or 14 years old," Bird said after Sum 41 finished its hour-long set. "They played all the songs from the first album I bought when I was in junior high."

Fellow Jets fan Josh Deserrano, 28, was standing with Bird near the stage.
"It was a good set list for the crowd that was here," he said. "The crowd was into it, they were engaging with us and everyone was having fun."
During the show, Sum 41 lead singer Deryck Whibley asked the crowd who was going to win the game.
The resulting "Go Jets Go" chant provided a quick and overwhelming answer, and Whibley subsequently dedicated the band's breakout song "Fat Lip" to a Jets win.
Advertised as an event for all ages, 87-year-old Douglas Cobb said he felt right at home among Jets fans at Spectator Plaza.
"Everywhere I go, I'm always the oldest guy," he said laughing.
The Molson Canadian Human Bubble Hockey and Upper Deck trading card zone were among the most popular attractions Sunday.
Cobb was just beginning his tour of the plaza. His wife Mary was already having her picture taken behind a cutout of a Jets player.
"We don't get too many of these things, we're all slow moving," Cobb said. "This has been a lot of fun."