Winnipeg Jets’ Scheifele scores after dad’s death, receives outpouring of support in loss to Stars

Saturday presented an emotional roller coaster for Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele. He learned that morning that his father had passed away overnight, scored his team’s lone goal and watched from the penalty box as the Dallas Stars scored an overtime winner to seal the series.

After the game, Scheifele received an outpouring of support from players on both teams.

“It’s a terrible loss,” Jets captain Adam Lowry told NHL.com. “It’s tough to put into words how gutted we all feel for Mark and his family. … It’s one of those things that you don’t wish upon anyone.”

The Stars tempered their victory celebration after clinching a trip to the Western Conference Finals. Scheifele needed their support, the players said.

“I wanted to let him know that it took a lot of courage for him to play today in a tough situation. I’m not sure too many guys would have done that in his situation,” Dallas captain Jamie Benn told Sportsnet. “So, I respected it. I know every guy in our room respected it, and our whole organization respected it.”

There were no hard feelings for Benn, who punched Scheifele in the face during Thursday’s Game 4. The NHL fined him $5,000 for the hit on Friday.

“I wanted to tell him I cared about him,” Benn said after the pair shared a long embrace in the handshake line.

Scheifele was named the third star of the game for his performance.

“For him to go through what he had to go through and perform the way he did, I’m so proud of him,” Jets coach Scott Arniel told reporters. “His dad would be so proud of him.”