Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-2 to win the Battle of Ontario in 6 games

CTV’s Patricia Boal speaks with Ottawa Senators President and CEO Cyril Leeder ahead of Game 6 in the Battle of Ontario.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the Battle of Ontario, beating the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

William Nylander scored twice on his birthday to lift the Maple Leafs to a 4-2 win over Ottawa in Game 6 at Canadian Tire Centre. The Leafs won the series 4-2.

The loss ends a season that saw the Ottawa Senators return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca provided live updates throughout Game 6.

“It’s devastating”

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk told reporters the loss is “devastating.”

“I’m really proud of this team, I’m really proud of every single guy in this room,” Tkachuk said.

“I think we’re going to take these lessons and be that much better because of it. I know it’s tough to realize right now but everything happens for a reason, and we’ll be better because of it.”

Tkachuk praised Senators fans for the support this season.

“It’s tough to swallow, but at the end of the day, to see this city, see this fan base – really wanted to do it for them. They came out and did their job, and it’s going to be a long couple of months here.”

An emotional Tkachuk promised the Senators players will “come with a lot of fire next year.”

Tkachuk was asked about the fan support and the chants of “Go Sens Go” at the end of Game 6.

“It’s been a long eight years for them to experience it. Honestly, they don’t really realize the impact that it’s made on me and this team. Just really wanted to do it for them,” Tkachuk said.

“They were absolutely amazing. I know it sucks right now but I really can’t wait for what the future holds.”

“Good learning experience”

Senators defenceman Thomas Chabot said the Game 6 loss hurts.

“It’s sad, it’s disappointing,” Chabot said.

“It was a tight series all along.”

With many players on the Senators roster experiencing their first playoff series, Chabot said there are a lot of lessons to be learned.

“You learn the hard way, but it’s just a good learning experience, I think, for the group overall,” Chabot said.

“The best is yet to come”

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe issued a statement on social media about the Senators season.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted but the Senators fought hard and we can still be very proud of our team for bringing playoff hockey back to Ottawa after eight years,” Sutcliffe said.

“What a great tribute to the team at the end. We love our Senators. The best is yet to come! Thank you!”

“Go Sens Go”

Senators fans chanted “Go Sens Go” as the Sens and Leafs shook hands after the six-game series.

The Senators players skate around the ice with their sticks raised to thank the fans for a great season.

It was the first time the Senators made the playoffs since 2017.

Leafs win the Battle of Ontario

The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators 4-2 in Game 6. The Leafs win the Battle of Ontario 4 games to 2.

William Nylander scored two goals for the Leafs, and Anthony Stolarz made 21 saves for the win.

Sens captain Brady Tkachuk and David Perron scored for the Sens.

Here is the recap of the series:

• Game 1: Leafs beat Senators 6-2
• Game 2: Leafs beat Senators 3-2 (overtime)
• Game 3: Leafs beat Senators 3-2 (overtime)
• Game 4: Senators beat Leafs 4-3 (overtime)
• Game 5: Senators beat Leafs 4-0
• Game 6: Leafs beat Senators 4-2

Leafs lead 4-2

The Toronto Maple Leafs score into an empty net. Leafs lead 4-2 with 18 seconds left in the third.

William Nylander scored two goals on his birthday for the Leafs.

Leafs lead 3-2

Leafs forward Max Pacioretty scores to give the Leafs a 3-2 lead with 5:39 left in the third period.

Max Domi picks up the assist on the Leafs goal.

The Leafs scored 1:41 after the Senators tied the game at 2.

Perron scores for the Senators

Senators forward David Perron scores to tie the game at 2. Perron banks it in off Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz.

Thomas Chabot picks up an assist on Perron’s second goal of the series.

Sens and Leafs tied at 2 with 6:59 left in the third period.

Under 10 minutes left

We reached the midway point of the third period, and it’s still 2-1 Toronto.

Shots on goal in the third period are 4-1 Toronto.

Game 7 or Leafs series win?

The third period is underway at Canadian Tire Centre.

Leafs lead the Senators 2-1.

Leafs lead Senators 2-1 after 2 periods

The Maple Leafs lead the Senators 2-1 after two periods of play.

William Nylander scored 43 seconds into the second period for the Maple Leafs, and Sens Captain Brady Tkachuk scored at 7:28 of the period.

Shots on goal after two periods are 16 for Toronto and 11 for Ottawa.

Ullmark keeping it a one goal game

Senators goalie Linus Ullmark has made big saves off Leafs players Mitch Marner, Brandon Carlo and Matthew Knies to keep it a 2-1 game.

Ullmark makes another save off William Nylander.

Leafs lead 2-1 – 7:03 left in the second period

Leafs continue to lead Ottawa 2-1.

The shots on goal in the second period are six for Ottawa and three for Toronto.

Senators score

The captain scores for Ottawa.

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scores on a tip to make it 2-1 Maple Leafs.

Tkachuk scores at 7:28 of the second period.

Thomas Chabot and Claude Giroux pick up the assists on Tkachuk’s fourth goal of the series.

The Senators have the last four shots in the second period.

Red Zone

A large crowd gathered in the CIBC Red Zone outside the Canadian Tire Centre to watch Game 6 on the big screen tv.

There is light rain falling across Ottawa during the second period.

Leafs lead 2-0

William Nylander scores 43 seconds into the second period to give the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead.

Max Pacioretty gets the only assist on Nylander’s second goal of the series.

The Leafs scored on their first shot of the second period.

Fifteen seconds later, Sens goalie Linus Ullmark makes a big save off Pacioretty to keep it 2-0 Toronto.

Leafs lead 1-0 after first period

The Toronto Maple Leafs lead 1-0 after the first period.

Auston Matthews powerplay goal was the only goal of the opening 20 minutes at Canadian Tire Centre.

The shots on goal after the first period are seven for Toronto and three for Ottawa.

1-0 Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs strike first in Game 6.

Auston Matthews scores on a powerplay to make it 1-0 Leafs. Mitch Marner and William Nylander pick up the assists on Matthews second goal of the series.

Sens captain Brady Tkachuk was in the penalty box for interference.

8:35 left in the first period

Senators failed to score on a powerplay after John Tavares received two minutes for high-sticking.

The Maple Leafs hit the goal post and Sens goalie Linus Ullmark made a couple of saves to prevent a Leafs goal shortly after the penalty ended.

No score in the first period.

13:21 left in the first period

A fast-paced start to Game 6.

Shots on goal are Toronto 1 and Ottawa 1.

Game 6 underway

Game 6 is underway at a sold out Canadian Tire Centre.

Starting goalies are Anthony Stolarz for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Linus Ullmark for the Ottawa Senators.

“Never out of the fight”

The Senators released a motivation video ahead of Game 6 at Canadian Tire Centre.

The title, “Never out of the fight.”

No Leafs fans allowed at one Sens Mile location

Fans began to pack bars and restaurants on Elgin Street ahead of Game 6.

The Standard co-owner Duong Hoang says 6:30 p.m. is the “calm before the storm” ahead of the 7 p.m. game.

The Standard says no Toronto Maple Leafs fans are allowed to wear a jersey inside the Sens Mile restaurant during the playoff series.

“Never, ever, ever will we let any Leafs fans here, and memorabilia and jerseys, during the playoffs, especially,” Hoang told CTV’s Katie Griffin during CTV News at Six.

“We just find it’s just a little bit better when we’re all together. It’s just annoying when you get Leafs fans all in your face. If we’re winning, we’re going to win together. If we’re going to lose, at least we’re going to lose together.”

Sens fan base re-energized: Sens president

Ottawa Senators President Cyril Leeder spoke with CTV’s Patricia Boal during CTV News at Six about the buzz in the city.

“We really like what we’re seeing with our team on the ice and what’s happening in the community off the ice as well. Our players are getting better, it looks like, as the series goes on. Touch wood, hopefully there’s another win in them for tonight,” Leeder said.

“Off the ice, the fan base, I think, really feel an energy and re-energized from the way the team has been playing. It’s been fantastic.”

Leeder said, while the Senators making the playoffs has been “good for business,” there is something special building in Ottawa.

“What’s more important for us is we’ve re-energized the fans. The fans are really feeling something special about their team now.”

Tarot cards

CTV’s Tyler Fleming visited Witch Chest on Bank Street for a glimpse into the energy surrounding Game 6 of the Battle of Ontario.

“When the Ace of Cups appears in a reading, it proclaims a birth, growth, love or clairvoyance,” owner Julie Saunders said Thursday. “The message of the Page of Swords is that caution, cleverness, and tact are needed at this time.”

The Tower card also appeared, which is a symbol of sudden change.

“Now that all that built-up pressure has been released from the tower, the fire inside will both cleanse and transform it,” she says.

 

It was 3-0 a week ago

The Toronto Maple Leafs won 3-2 on April 24 to take a 3-0 series lead. The Senators won Game 4 in Ottawa 4-0, and then Game 5 last Tuesday in Toronto 4-0.

TSN reported that the Maple Leafs have one win in 14 games with a chance to eliminate a playoff opponent since 2018.

According to the Canadian Press, the Senators are looking to become the fifth team in NHL history to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-0.

90 minutes until game time

Fans continued to pack the CIBC Red Zone ahead of Game 6 of the Senators-Leafs series.

The Ottawa Senators invited fans to watch the game on a large screen outside Canadian Tire Centre. There is also pre-game activities.

Sens Mile

Senators spirit is buzzing on Elgin Street two hours before Game 6. Students at Elgin Street Public School showed their school spirit on the fence of the school.

Red Zone outside Canadian Tire Centre

The CIBC Red Zone outside Canadian Tire Centre started to fill up three hours before game time.

Secondary market

The cheapest ticket for Game 6 on Stubhub is $263 for Section 320 at Canadian Tire Centre.

The most expensive ticket is $1,408 in Section 101, Row 1.

The cheapest ticket available on the Ticketmaster verified resale site is $416 for Section 313.

“This is going to be exciting”

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk promised Sens fans “we’ll be back” after winning Game 4 last Saturday.

Tkachuk told reporters tonight’s game will be exciting.

“I’m expecting big things. This is not just about our team; it’s about our city. You can feel the excitement and we’re gonna need it tonight,” Tkachuk said Thursday morning.

“The amount of energy, pride we get from our fans, this city – it’s something that I don’t think they know the impact they have on our team. I’ve been looking forward to this game when Game 5 ended. This is going to be exciting. Of course, it’s a big one. Season is on the line tonight; it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Absent note

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is helping Senators fans cancel other plans to watch Game 6.

• Ottawa mayor giving Sens fans ‘permission’ to get out of meetings to watch Game 6

Sutcliffe issued a note on X, saying ,“I, Mark Sutcliffe, hereby authorize the holder of this letter to miss any meeting or other unnecessary or unimportant meeting or event this evening.

“This individual has important business to carry out on behalf of the city tonight, namely, to cheer on the Senators in Game 6. Please do not impede this person from carrying out this important task.”

Senators fans ready for Game 6

CTV News Ottawa viewers submitted photos showing their Sens spirit ahead of Game 6.

Game 6 preview

TSN’s James Duthie, host of TSN’s hockey coverage, joins Vassy Kapelos following the elimination of the Montreal Canadiens from the playoffs to unpack that series and tonight’s Battle of Ontario as the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets also try to get into the second round.