Senators games return to full capacity at Canadian Tire Centre
The Sens are back to full capacity at the Canadian Tire centre for the first time in months, a rare occurence during the pandemic.
No more empty arena, or even limited crowds -- the Sens can now pack the house.
"I haven't played at home in a while," said Senators forward Josh Norris, who has just returned from an injury.
"I'm very excited to get back in front of our fans," he added.
The Sens have spent most of the last two years under severe capacity restrictions. The team has gone from empty, to 500 fans, to 50 per cent capacity, and now back to being allowed to fill the arena against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
For the players, the change provides a much needed boost.
"On the road travelling feeling the crowd and how much of a difference it makes, the increase in attendance will be really nice, feel the adrenaline get our fans behind us and hopefully put on a show for them," said forward Nick Paul.
The Sens are coming off a five-game road trip with just one win, they haven't played at home yet this month. Ontario lifted capacity limits on arenas on March 1.
"You have to have something to look forward to," said TSN 1200's Lee Versage. "They have a bunch of home games here. Whether they sell out or not, the kids can come and players can interact with people a lot more than they have and that means a lot to them."
It's also the first time the Canadian Tire Centre isn't requiring proof of vaccination for patrons.
And welcoming back more fans means a boost for much more than just the team.
"I'm so excited for the people that can finally get back to work, i came in and saw security, parking attendants, people working the concessions, those are the people that it matters, they get to finally go back to work," said Versage.
So as the Sens hit home ice for the first time this month there is a growing sense of normalcy not felt in a long time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
What a U.S. farmworker’s case of bird flu tells us about tracking the infection
A U.S. farmworker who caught bird flu after working with dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the first known case of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus, a new study shows.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.