It’s a big day for fans of both the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes as the puck drops in Raleigh, N.C., today for Game 1 of their first-round series.
“Gotta root for the Sens,” said Dominic Patafie, who was tailgating in the parking lot of the Lenovo Center before the start of Saturday afternoon’s game.
Patafie grew up in Kanata, just walking distance from the Sens’ arena. He then moved to the U.S. for school — and brought his love of the Senators with him.
“I’ll forgive Brady Tkachuk for taking that gold medal from us if he can get us a Stanley Cup,” Patafie said, referring to the big role the Sens’ captain played for the U.S. in their overtime win over Canada at the Winter Olympics.
People were out hours before the puck dropped Saturday, grilling meat on barbecues they’d brought along, drinking, playing music and chatting with other hockey fans.
Tailgate parties, where people get together in the parking lot outside a stadium ahead of a game, have rolled over from college sports in the U.S. to hockey.
Ottawa Senators fan Dominic Patafie takes part in a tailgate party ahead of the first playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C. (Mathieu Deroy/CBC)
‘Going to be a good series’
“It’s a raucous atmosphere. It’s a good matchup,” said Aaron Newns, a Carolina Hurricanes fan who spoke to CBC.
“I think it’s going to be a good series. Do I hope the [Hurricanes] win? Of course I do, but it’s going to be fun for everyone.”
After a playoff drought stretching back to 2017, Ottawa is embracing a second consecutive post-season run.
The Senators went 1-2 against the Hurricanes this season, and the teams are expected to be closely matched heading into the series.
Game 2 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Lenovo Center.
Fans in Ottawa will have to wait until next week to watch the team play live at the Canadian Tire Centre, with Games 3 and 4 set to take place there this coming Thursday and Saturday.
While those in Ottawa can’t catch Game 1 in person, they can watch outside the Canadian Tire Centre for free.