Senators face empty rink for 11 home games this winter
The Ottawa Senators will be playing in front of an empty Canadian Tire Centre 11 times over the next month as Ontario gradually eases COVID-19 capacity restrictions.
The Ontario government unveiled a three-step plan to reopen the province this winter, allowing up to 500 fans in Canadian Tire Centre starting Jan. 31. Restrictions will be eased to allow 50 per cent capacity in arenas starting Feb. 21.
The spectator capacity limits at sporting events, concert venues, and theatres at 50 per cent also cover Ottawa 67's games at TD Place and concerts and events at the National Arts Centre.
Currently, no fans are permitted inside Canadian Tire Centre for Senators games or other events as Ontario is in a modified stage 2.
Following the release of a new Senators schedule to make up games cancelled this season due to COVID-19 protocols and attendance restrictions in Ontario, the Senators will play 11 home games between Jan. 25 and Feb. 21. with either no fans in the arena or up to 500 fans in the stands.
The schedule includes a visit by Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers. The Senators game against Pittsburgh set for Feb. 10 is a rescheduled game from New Year’s Eve, when the NHL postponed the game due to COVID-19 attendance restrictions in Ottawa.
The Senators have another four games scheduled between Feb. 22 and March 14 when capacity is at 50 per cent, including popular games with the Montreal Canadiens and the first ever visit to Ottawa by the Seattle Kraken.
The restrictions mean the team will lose out on gate revenue for more than a quarter of its regular-season home schedule.
"That's an incredible drain on the bottom line,” TSN 1200's John Rodenburg tweeted.
Senators play-by-play voice Dean Brown said on Twitter that the restrictions are "not only terrible for the owner who lose millions but the hundreds and hundreds of servers, bartenders, security, support, janitorial, suppliers and delivery people who will be hit hard by this."
As of March 14, full capacity will be allowed at all Senators and Ottawa 67's games.
The Senators are scheduled to play 50 games over the final 100 games of the regular season.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
BREAKING Stranded orca calf swims out of B.C. lagoon where she was trapped for weeks
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.