Senators know crowd’s energy brings MTS Centre alive

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:28 PM CST Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011

One day, some day, the fascination will wear off completely. But, in the interim, count the Ottawa Senators among the latest NHL team to be all jacked up to experience for the first time the vibe at MTS Centre.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/11/2011 (5065 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Sens play the Winnipeg Jets tonight, their first visit to Manitoba since a 6-2 loss back on Feb. 8, 1996.

“Early in the year I paid attention to it and watched the first game,” said Sens’ forward Jason Spezza when asked if he had been following the NHL’s return to Winnipeg story. “ I think everybody was excited to see the crowds and stuff. Lately I haven’t paid too much attention to it, but we imagine it’s going to be a good crowd tonight. I don’t think they’ve played a whole lot at home and so people will be excited to have a game here tonight.

Joe Bryksa/ Winnipeg Free Press archives
Senators coach Paul MacLean at practice Monday at the MTS Centre. — Joe Bryksa/ Winnipeg Free Press archives Senators coach Paul MacLean at practice Monday at the MTS Centre.

“You can feed off it as a visiting team, too. You don’t want to let them get too much momentum, but I think the energy when you play in front of a building that is full adds to the excitement and when two Canadian teams play against each other it’s always a little more special.”

Sens’ captain Daniel Alfredsson said he couldn’t remember his last game in Winnipeg, but… “I’ve been teased about it a bit from some of the younger guys,” he said. “We’re all happy that the team is back in Canada. We played in Atlanta a few times and the atmosphere there wasn’t near to what it is in Canadian cities. It’s going to be fun to be back.”

The game also marks the return of long-time Jet Paul MacLean, now the Senators head coach, although he has been back since his playing days while working with the Kansas City Blades of the IHL.

“It’s a brand new building for me,” said MacLean today. “It’s a great city, though. I had a lot of good times myself back in the old Winnipeg Arena. But this is a brand new place with a brand new generation and I’m excited for the fans of the Winnipeg Jets that they have their team back.”

MacLean said that what he remembers of his days in Winnipeg, besides the weather and his youngest son being born here is this:

“The fans were always great and very honest with me and how I was doing. The seven years I played here I got to play with some really good players like Dale Hawerchuk and work for a good man in John Ferguson.”