I went to the last Ottawa Senators game of the regular season.
The Ottawa Senators played their rivals (and my favourite team): the Toronto Maple Leafs. As a Leafs fan attending the game in Ottawa, Ontario, I wasn’t sure whether I should be cheering for the Leafs or the Sens. On one hand, the Leafs are my team. On the other, a Leafs’ loss would increase their likelihood of retaining their 1st round draft pick, conditionally traded to Boston, but top 5 protected.
Undecided, I ended up cheering for both teams. The folks around me likely thought I was confused – although I wasn’t the only Leafs jersey cheering for Senators goals at the Canadian Tire Centre.
In a great show of class, the Ottawa Senators also paid tribute to Joe Bowen during a TV timeout in the third period. Joe Bowen (known as the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs) was the Leafs’ long-time play caller. He was calling the last game of his career. The Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa gave him a standing ovation.
Growing up so close to Ottawa, I’ve always enjoyed going to Senators games, even as a Leafs fan. I’ve always found it hard not to like the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa.
Injuries Can Happen at Large Events in Ottawa
Whenever I go to a game in Ottawa, I marvel at the logistics of packing 18,000+ people into an arena:
- The traffic in and out,
- the parking,
- the food preparation,
- the fact that every 30 mins half the spectators are going to flush the toilet at the same time
Large events and large event spaces in Ottawa are a bit of a logistical and engineering feat.
With increased activity comes increased risk.
I also pondered all the heightened injury risks that come with a large sporting event.
Some of the scenarios I apprehensively watched included:
- Watching someone leaned over the railing at the edge of the 200-level seating to try and catch a T-shirt shot out of a cannon
- Saw some questionable driving as folks tried to secure a parking spot in a nearly-full lot outside the Ottawa arena.
- Witnessed folks running out of the arena at breakneck speed trying to get to their cars and beat the traffic in Ottawa.
I would guess that the risk of being injured on your way in and out of the Ottawa Senators game is far greater than the risk of being injured once inside.
18,000 people are leaving Canadian Tire Centre and getting into cars, buses, Ubers, and cabs. And, at Canadian Tire Centre, almost everyone is headed home in the same direction.
Why Injuries Outside an Ottawa Senators Event in Ottawa Can be Complicated
Atypical circumstances may apply to an accident outside a sporting event in Ottawa or elsewhere in Eastern Ontario.
The back-of-the-ticket waiver may apply depending on the location and circumstances of the accident in Ottawa venues such as the Canadian Tire Centre.
Like any event with booze, commercial host liability is a relevant consideration in Ottawa sporting and entertainment venues.
Almost all accidents outside the Canadian Tire Centre would involve folks in or on their way to vehicles. Whether they would be entitled to automobile accident benefits is an important question. Likely a lawyer can answer this after a careful examination of the facts in Ottawa injury cases. As a reminder, you don’t need a car crash or auto insurance to get accident benefits in Ontario, including Ottawa.
Of course the usual issues involved with proving liability, causation, and damages would still apply as well.
At Bergeron Clifford LLP, we’re well versed with all of these issues and ready to assist if you are injured at a large event like an Ottawa Senators game at Canadian Tire Centre
Ottawa Senators Playoff Energy
The Senators always seem to do best when folks aren’t expecting it. Going into these playoffs as underdogs is probably exactly where they want to be.
As one of three Canadian teams in the playoffs, I’ll be sure to cheer for them.
So, from a Leafs’ fan to the Ottawa Senators: here’s to a deep playoff run. The environment at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa over the coming weeks (and hopefully months) is sure to be electric. Be sure to keep safe and enjoy the games in Ottawa.
