Ottawa hockey fans have had enough, and they're not afraid to say it out loud.
For years, Canadian Tire Centre has welcomed some unwanted guests: waves of Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens supporters who make the trip to Ottawa and, in some sections, nearly outnumber the home crowd. Now, Senators fans are pushing back, determined to restore the CTC to a genuine home-ice fortress.
A Home Game That Doesn't Always Feel Like Home
It's a scene that's become all too familiar for diehard Sens supporters. You settle into your seat at the CTC, look around, and notice a sea of blue-and-white or red-white-and-blue instead of red and black. For rival fans, the drive from Toronto or Montreal is worth it. Ottawa has long been seen as an easy road trip with affordable tickets and a softer crowd.
But that reputation is something Senators fans are increasingly unwilling to accept. Supporters have been vocal on social media, at games, and in fan communities about the need to buy up tickets, fill the building, and drown out the visiting cheers.
Why Does It Keep Happening?
A few factors have contributed to the issue over the years. Ticket prices at Canadian Tire Centre can be more accessible compared to markets like Toronto, making it an attractive destination for road-tripping rivals. Ottawa's fanbase, while passionate, also draws from a smaller market than its Highway 401 rival, meaning rival fans sometimes have an easier time securing premium seats.
Leafs and Habs matchups are among the most heated in the NHL's Canadian division, and both fanbases are enormous and vocal. When those teams come to town, their followers show up in force, and they make themselves heard.
Sens Nation Fights Back
The good news? Ottawa fans aren't just complaining. They're organizing. Fan groups and community voices have been calling on Senators supporters to prioritize attending Leafs and Habs games specifically, coordinate group buys, and create a louder, more unified atmosphere in the arena.
There's genuine pride on the line here. Ottawa is a passionate hockey city, and the Senators have a growing, energized fanbase that wants the CTC to feel intimidating again, especially during rivalry matchups.
Coaches and players have noted over the years how much a charged home crowd matters. When the building is rocking with Sens fans, the team feeds off that energy. A split crowd or worse, a hostile one, doesn't do the home side any favors.
Reclaiming the Building
For Ottawa residents and Senators diehards, this is more than just a sports complaint. It's about civic pride. The CTC is Ottawa's barn, and there's something deeply satisfying about the idea of rival fans making the drive only to be completely overwhelmed by a sea of red and black.
The message from Sens Nation is clear: show up, be loud, and let visiting fans know they're in enemy territory. Tickets are available, and your seat matters.
Because if Ottawa fans don't fill the arena, someone else will, and they definitely won't be cheering for the Senators.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
