Senators fans embrace the moment with team in do-or-die mode

Gavin Porteous and Vikram Wahl are shown outside the Canadian Tire Centre prior to Game 4 against the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Photo by Jason DuenchArticle content

By JANSON DUENCH

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Heading into Game 4 at the Canadian Tire Centre, the Ottawa Senators have their backs against the wall.

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For many fans, the losing has taken its toll. Skepticism ran high heading into the do-or-die matchup, with few believing the Senators could pull off the rare reverse sweep — a feat achieved only four times in NHL history.

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“I don’t think they’re gonna win the series, but I think we’ll get a win tonight,” said Cassidy Wilson outside the arena.

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Matt Stackhouse was even less optimistic.

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“No idea,” he said when asked about the Senators’ chances. “Nothing really.”

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However, the one thing binding Senators fans together is a sense of accomplishment, regardless of Game 4’s outcome.

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“It’s been eight years since we’ve made it to the playoffs, so I’m just happy we got here,” Wilson said.

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Gavin Porteous echoed the sentiment: “It’s more important they get more playoff games, so that next year we have that experience, the understanding of what it takes to win. This year, I’m happy to be in the playoffs.”

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The only problem: Losing to the Leafs stings a lot more.

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“There’d be nothing worse than getting swept by Toronto,” said P.J. Dobbin. “But no matter what, they’ve taken that first step — they’re learning with every game. Hopefully, they can push through.”

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“As much as it sucks losing to Toronto, if that happens, our goal was to make the playoffs — and we did that,” said Gavin McCaffrey. “Next year, we can aim even higher.”

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“I’d love to beat the Leafs, but honestly, I’m just happy to be back,” Porteous added.

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Stackhouse laughed it off: “Either way, Toronto’s not winning the Cup, so it doesn’t really matter what happens.”

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Inside the CTC, fans felt a renewed sense of pride in defending home ice, no matter the final score. McCaffrey described the difference between the regular season and playoffs as “night and day.”

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“In Game 3, the Sens dominated the building,” he said. “Normally, during Sens-Leafs games, it’s the other way around. We were at the 4 Nations (Face-Off), Canada versus the U.S., and honestly, I felt that it kind of matched that.”

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Porteous, a season ticket-holder for three years, agreed. “I’ve never heard the building louder, never seen more excitement and passion.”

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Even if the Senators trailed late in Game 4, Porteous said he wouldn’t dream of leaving early — partly to get his money’s worth, but mostly to stand guard against the surge of Leafs fans.

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“One, I paid too much money to leave early,” he said. “And two, someone’s got to drown out those Leafs fans.”

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His friend Vikram Wahl put it more bluntly: “How dare you think the traffic is more important than the Sens?”

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Beyond the walls of the CTC, Wahl said the playoff buzz had transformed Ottawa itself.

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“When we’re in the playoffs, there’s an energy in the city, you just can’t describe it.”

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