The Sens Mile officially opened Sunday, after a spectacular comeback that has landed the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Mayor Jim Watson, Senators president Cyril Leeder, and members of city council unveiled the new street signs going up on Elgin Street signaling the city’s support as the team heads into the playoffs.
Dozens of fans were also there to show their Sens pride and kick off the playoff season.
Sens Mile has become a tradition in the Capital. When the team makes the playoffs, the official street signs go up. Elgin Street’s restaurants and pubs have become go-to spots to watch the Senators during their playoff run.
Businesses along the street are now preparing for the game-night crowds. They are busy getting big screen TVs and patios set up ahead of Wednesday night, when the Senators face the Montreal Canadiens in their first game of the playoffs.
Mayor Jim Watson is asking people on Twitter to weigh in on what the terms of a friendly playoff bet should be between himself and Montreal mayor Denis Coderre.
Councillor Rick Chiarelli was among those celebrating the Sens Mile opening. He recently suggested it should open early, to show support for the team.
Plans were in place for the early opening, but the city decided not to put the street signs up early after team president Cyril Leeder asked the city to hold off until the Sens were officially in the playoffs.
Some fans blamed Chiarelli for jinxing the team with his early enthusiasm after the team’s late-March losing streak.
But, with the Sens having clinched their wildcard playoff spot, all talk of a jinx is forgotten as excited fans prepare for the playoff run.
The Senators face the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on Wednesday evening. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m.
