Hockey fans in Ottawa stepped into the past Saturday afternoon and made history at the same time. The Ottawa Junior Canadians marked 50 years of hockey with a special outdoor game against the Ottawa West Golden Knights; the first outdoor matchup ever played in the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League. “It is amazing, the vibe and the atmosphere,” says Junior Canadians fan Pierre Rompre, who was among dozens braving the cold at the Jim Tubman Chevrolet Sens Rink. “We’re here to cheer them on.” The outdoor game brought together two longtime rivals, in what organizers described as a rare opportunity for players and fans alike. “We wanted to play against the Ottawa Golden Knights because they’ve been around for 50 years as well,” says Junior Canadians owner Tasso Vasiles. “Our kids have been looking forward to this day for a while because they see it on TV and it’s very rare.” Ottawa West Golden Knights owner Steve Sundin said the idea came together quickly once it was approved. “He came to me last summer and said, ‘you want to do this?’ and I said ‘Absolutely,’” Sundin says. “We’re really excited to be here.” The game also served as a milestone for the Canadians organization, which has been a consistent presence in the league for decades. “They’ve been a constant for the past 50 years,” says Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League commissioner Marc Franche. “They do a great job trying to help the league and the community with events like this one.” On the ice, players say the experience was unlike anything they’d played before. “The conditions are amazing, the ice is great,” says Junior Canadians forward Riley Bloom. “I’m incredibly grateful to be able to participate in this opportunity.” For fans like Rompre, the outdoor setting brought the game back to its roots. “We’re Canadian and that’s where the game started,” he says. “They should continue to do it.” The Junior Canadians won the game in 4-3 in overtime.
