A Sens flag now flies over Ottawa City Hall declaring the city's support for the hometown team on the first day of the Ottawa Senators' post-season run for the Stanley Cup.
"This is when you need the tough, solid people with lots of playoff experience. You know, it's going to be men against boys out there," Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien told CTV News Wednesday.
First playoff game
Sens spirit in the Capital is only now becoming strong as the team prepares for its first playoff game of the post-season against the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.
The Ottawa Senators who started the NHL season strong are now considered one of the underdogs going into the first round of the playoffs.
Go Sens, go!
Initial signs of support for the Senators rung out Wednesday morning where fans decorated their cars with Sens colours and chanted "Go Sens, go!"
One fan transformed his Mustang into a Sens-mobile with the hockey team's logo covering the hood of his car.
"It's a 2005 Mustang that I bought for my wife and she allows me at this time of the year to decorate it up and take it out," said the Sens fan.
The top three decorated cars will win suite tickets to Game four in Ottawa on April 16.
Underdog status
Although some fans acknowledge the Ottawa Senators' underdog status, they maintain the Senators have what it takes to surpass last year's playoff performance.
"Obviously, they need lots of support and that the fans are behind them," said Ric Loveless, who painted his face black and dressed himself in a bright red Sensquatch costume. "It is basically a new season, even the underdogs can go all the way."
"It's going to be a hard, hard uphill battle but it's sports and anything can happen in sports," added fan David Lepage. "I believe."
With a report from CTV's Natalie Pierosara
Are you excited for the Ottawa Senators' playoff run? Will the Sens go all the way? Have your say by leaving a comment below.
