Senators at Canucks12.21.24
Vancouver, BC
So the Senators blanked the Kraken in Seattle earlier this week (I was there for it). Since then, they traveled to Calgary, where they beat the Flames in overtime, and have now zig-zagged back to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Canucks in Vancouver. All-Canadian matchup, Hockey Night in Canada, in my new stomping grounds in Vancouver... of course I had to be there!
I've already visited Rogers Arena on a few occasions, for concerts, so I don't have much to say regarding the arena. It's still extremely average. There were a few more Sens fans in attendance for this one than the game in Seattle; enough that we were able to wave to others in nearby sections whenever the Sens scored. I have to say, I don't think the Canucks fans here felt as welcoming as the Kraken fans in Seattle. I suppose they are used to fans of other Canadian teams showing up to games in Vancouver. But it also aligns with how I've felt interacting with the public in Seattle; people are just generally friendlier there, while Vancouver folks are pretty standoffish.
I really can't emphasize just how electric it feels to watch your team win in an away barn. And this one came in the most thrilling fashion. The Sens jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first, before the Canucks were able to tie it by the end of the period. Back and forth goals left the game at 4-4 by the end of regulation, but Jake Sanderson and the Sens wasted no time ending it in overtime. Coming off the high of that moment, I really didn't want to leave the arena.
It's on to Edmonton tomorrow for the Sens, ending this leg of the road trip before the Christmas break. I won't be there in Edmonton though, as I have to make my way back to Ottawa myself for Christmas!
