Hell freezes over in the capital clash between Ottawa and Montreal
Scroll down to continueI know we don't usually cover hockey or sports on these pages at National Observer. But sometimes there are events that we just can't miss.
Last weekend's outdoor game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens, marking the 100th anniversary of the first ever game in the National Hockey League, was one of those nights. It made for great visuals, and well, hockey in bone-chilling temperatures IS national affairs in Canada, eh?
Photo essay by Alex Tétreault
Festivities leading up to the game
Scroll down to continueThe Stanley Cup, the iconic trophy named after a former Canadian governor general, was on Parliament Hill last Friday for a couple of hours. They had it inside in a display trailer. But this photojournalist managed to get a sneak peak after convincing NHL officials to bring it outside for a quick, worthwhile photo-op.
As part of festivities for the NHL Centennial game and Canada's 150th anniversary, a 5.6 million dollar rink was built on Parliament Hill's front lawn.
Throughout the week, some activities have been held with varying degrees of relation to the NHL100 game, such as the Red-White Alumni game on Friday evening.
A few hours before the centennial game on Saturday, the Little Sens had a practice skate on the Hill, in front of Parliament, under the tutelage of two former Sens players, Pascal Leclaire and Chris Phillips.
They were followed right after by tryouts for the girls Team Ontario held by the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario.
Indigenous girls do some warm up stretches prior to the tryout sessions. This session is to select members of Team Ontario to represent the province in Nova Scotia for the national tournament. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Pre Game Events
Scroll down to continueOttawa is a city that appears to have healthy amounts of fans of Montreal and Ottawa, and perhaps even Toronto. So wasn't unusual to see the colours of both Montreal and Ottawa jerseys at game time.
Although some of the Senator fans may have been in a bad mood since their team's owner, Eugene Melnyk, had just made headlines for musing about moving his team to another city, due to low attendance.
Fans of both teams were congregating around the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. The NHL had setup a pregame zone with vendors and activities to entertain fans in the afternoon before the game, for those who wanted to brave the cold early. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Pre-Game Show
Scroll down to continueFireworks and celebrity guests were a key part of the pregame and intermission shows.
Canadian pop singer Serena Ryder sang the national anthem along with 'vintage teams' stand-ins, and members of the Canadian Forces with flags and colours. The anthem was followed by a CF-18 fighter jet fly-by. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Game Action
Scroll down to continueMontreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price stops a shot from the Ottawa Senators. It was not enough, however, as the Habs still lost the game, 3-0. Price stood on his head for most of the game (not literally) and was still named the 3rd star of the game.
The puck drops in the Habs zone, with Plekanec and Duchene facing off. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Commemorations
Scroll down to continueMontreal Canadiens, old and new, with pyrotechnics getting ready for the national anthem.
All about the fans
Scroll down to continue34 000 happy, cold, fans at Lansdowne Park, but the atmosphere was getting warmer as the game went on.
The cold weather did not dampen the atmosphere at Lansdowne Park. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Halftime show with Brian Adams
Scroll down to continueWell, two-thirds show, really, (during the second intermission) and more fireworks to warm up the place.
Bryan Adams sang a few songs between the second and third period. Photo by Alex Tétreault
End Game
Scroll down to continueThe Ottawa Senators' have a quick celebration after the empty net goal by Nate Thompson, sealing the game.