Exactly 30 years ago, the Senators stunned the hockey world by beating the Canadiens in the first game for the new franchise. What many don't know is what was going on behind the scenes in the hours leading up to faceoff. (By HockeyScanner)
Leeder shared a tale about a back-flipping Brian Orser, a concerned Habs head coach Jacques Demers, and a threat by CBC TV to cancel a 30-minute pre-game feature on the Senators because of a last-minute snafu involving Demers’ demand to have a flood following a figure skating exhibition that was supposed to lead into the big game.
Dave Dakers, a Senators staffer, was the liaison between the team and the city of Ottawa, as the Civic Centre was owned by the city. Dakers had to co-ordinate the pre-game program with all involved, including CBC, which was broadcasting the game and had a lengthy Senators feature ready to air, leading up to Orser’s skate with a group of amateur skaters. The game was scheduled to follow that skate.
Sexton said, 'Dave, I have a thousand things to do. What I really want is to see the backflip. AND the pre-game show. Figure it out.' That’s right. The last Canadian-based team to win a Cup began its season with a loss to one of the most poorly stocked expansion teams in league history. If the Habs needed an early wakeup call, they got it in Ottawa that Oct. 8.It’s easy to forget that the first game in October of 1992 was the culmination of a long, drawn-out process. That famous pickup hockey gathering at old Lions Arena in Ottawa, where Firestone proposed the idea of an NHL team to Leeder and Sexton, had taken place in 1987.
Frank Finnigan, who was a member of the early-era Senators, was to have his No. 8 retired on opening night. Sadly, Finnigan passed away less than a year before game one, so his son Frank Jr. was there to observe the honour in his father’s place.“We thought we were doing her a big favour by allowing her to sing the anthem,” Leeder says. “As it turned out, she was doing us a favour.”The game itself was as much of an event as it was a hockey game.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ottawa Public Health suggests gathering outdoors for Thanksgiving, as COVID levels remain high in OttawaOttawa residents are being asked to consider gathering outdoors or open windows while gathering indoors for Thanksgiving this weekend, as COVID-19 levels remain high in the community.
Read more »
Warren’s piece: Magnus Hellberg will gladly take whatever action the Ottawa Senators give himWhen it comes to easy going personalities, Magnus Hellberg is at the top of the list.
Read more »
Senators anxious for regular season as Hockeyville experience comes to a closeMONCTON, N.B. — If it’s Friday, the Ottawa Senators must be on the ice in Moncton.
Read more »
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addresses the state of hockeyThe commissioner sidestepped the Hockey Canada scandal, but likes the future prospects of the Ottawa Senators.
Read more »
East coach experience almost over, Senators anxious for regular season to comeMONCTON, N.B. — If it’s Friday, the Ottawa Senators must be on the ice in Moncton.
Read more »
Senators sport new-look lines in Newfoundland in front of spirited crowdGANDER, NL — Amid a new lively pre\u002Dseason environment, Ottawa Senators coach D.J. Smith tinkered with a new look Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Read more »