Ottawa Senators fans will have a chance to see Thursday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on the big screen. The team announced Wednesday that the CIBC Red Zone will include a 14-by-24 foot LED screen in the plaza outside Gate 1 for fans to watch the must-win game for the Senators. The area will be open to the public and no tickets are required. “First time we’ve used the screen this year will be tomorrow night,” said Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder in an interview with CTV News Ottawa. The Red Zone will open to the public starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, with $5 beer and $2 Schneider’s hot dogs available for fans. Pre-game activities include hardest-shot contests, axe throwing, sign-making and inflatables, the team said in a news release. The Senators are hoping to force a make-or-break game seven this weekend, after the team fell three games behind Toronto in the series. A thrilling overtime win in game four and a 4-0 victory last night have kept the Sens alive in their quest to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “We were obviously pleasantly surprised at the excitement and the energy level that the fans brought. It doesn’t go unnoticed by the players,” Leeder said. Paid parking is available at the stadium but the team is encouraging fans attending the outdoor viewing to take public transit, carpool or find alternative means to arrive at the arena. The broadcast will be shown outside the Canadian Tire Centre starting at 6:45 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m.
