It was a much anticipated, Central Division match-up between the hometown Winnipeg Jets and the visiting team from Chicago. The MTS Centre was abuzz with our heroes fighting for their playoff lives, the closest sniff they've had since the team relocated from Atlanta four years ago.

That the Jets lost this pivotal game wasn't my takeaway at the end of the evening. Nor was it the linesmen who became entangled with Toby Enstrom that led to Chicago's tying goal or their heartbreaking game winning goal with a mere thirty seconds left.

The focus of the game, for me, was a fan sitting in section 109.

From my seat in 113 you can't recognize faces in that section but you could clearly see he was wearing a Chicago jersey. I don't like it when paying customers wear opposing team's jerseys in our barn, but I respect their right to do so (the offensive nature of the Chicago team name and jersey not withstanding).

But this fan took it one step further. He was wearing a feathered headdress – a war bonnet.

As soon as I eyes laid on it I got that sick feeling in my stomach that I've had countless time in my life. "You gotta be f******g me," I muttered. I shook my head and listened to the remarks of the people around us. Even among the non-indigenous, season ticket holders there was disbelief and a sense of empathy. They understood how we felt. I guess Winnipeg's attempt at changing its racist image has been taking hold.