After the team's hopes of an outdoor game held at Parliament Hill were dashed, the Ottawa Senators have gone all in on a winter match hosted at TD Place Stadium, home of the CFL's RedBlacks.
"We're done as far as the Senators are concerned, we're all in. We've made our deals," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told the Canadian Press. "I think all the other parties, which includes the city, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, the NHL, they have to do their deal. That's the only reason. We're done. We're in. I want to do it. I'm excited about it."
The plan is for the game to be held in December, with the rival Montreal Canadiens as the anticipated opponent. TD Place Stadium will host the Grey Cup next year, so a quick transition for an outdoor game is possible as expanded seating will already be in place.
The outdoor game would be a celebration on many levels for the Senators, as well as the city of Ottawa: a recognition of the 100th anniversary of the first NHL game held in the city by the original Senators franchise, 150 years since Canadian confederation, and 25 years since the Senators returned to the NHL in 1992.
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