Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators in Gander, Newfoundland

After covering the Stanley Cup in Twillingate, my next task was to cover the Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens game in Gander, Newfoundland & Labrador. While Twillingate won the Kraft Hockeyville, Gander was a bigger nearby centre which could accommodate more people. So off I went…

After security completed a semi-awkward clearance of my camera bag (it was like they realized a mistake right after asking to do so), I was heading into the arena. I was okay with them checking my camera bag so it was no big deal if it was or wasn’t a mistake.

Inside I went…

Some of the players were stretching off the ice prior to the game. Above you can see goaltender Jake Allen (Montreal Canadiens, #30) warming up prior to practice. I’ve always found these events rather loose as your credentials are your access point. Receiving credentials comes with an unwritten expectation that you know what you’re doing and won’t bother anyone. As I was watching the players warm up, an individual ended up walking right up to Jake Allen and asking for an autograph…For someone experienced, there is a time and place and while they are warming up isn’t it.

The players eventually took to the ice…

The practice would be over in 60-90 minutes later and which point it was time for a break. I would have the rest of the day off till the game was to commence. So I went looking for bears. Found none and ended up back at the rink.

Fans were getting ready, the excitement was building. An NHL pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens would happen in Gander, Newfoundland. A rarity for two NHL teams to play in a 1100 seat arena.

Onto page 2 for the game.