The Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils participated in an emotional pre-game ceremony on Saturday night to honor slain soldiers Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.
As fans waved mini-Canadian flags and glow sticks, players from the Senators and Devils joined together around center ice while military personnel from Cirillo’s division and local first responders stood at attention in the center of the circle.
It was the first hockey game in Ottawa since Wednesday’s attack on Parliament Hill, which included the shooting death of Cirillo at the National War Memorial. Vincent was killed in a hit-and-run attack on Monday near Montreal.
Photo: AFP
The coordinated ceremony included games at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Bell Centre in Montreal and Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and fans in all three arenas observed a lengthy moment of silence.
In Ottawa, Lyndon Slewidge performed the Star-Spangled Banner before the emotional rendition of O Canada got underway.
As a large flag made its way through the crowd and fans belted out the anthem, many waved their own flags brought from home.
Photo: USA TODAY
When the anthem was over, fans continued to stand and applaud.
The Senators and Devils welcomed their opportunity to be a part of honoring Cirillo and Vincent before the game.
“I really think it’s an opportunity for us to help with the healing process that has started here in the city,” Ottawa coach Paul MacLean said on Saturday morning. “It started [Friday] night with the Redblacks and all the other stuff that’s going on with the tragedy. Now we get an opportunity to come in and help with that healing.”
Photo: AFP
The CFL’s Redblacks held a pre-game ceremony on Friday with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on hand as the league’s largest Canadian flag was unfurled on the field. It was the first sporting event in the city since the shooting.
Wednesday’s Senators-Maple Leafs game was postponed following the Ottawa attack.
The Devils played on Friday night at home, but coach Pete DeBoer took time between afternoon meetings to walk from the team’s downtown hotel to the National War Memorial where Cirillo was killed. DeBoer is from Dunnville, Ontario, not far from Cirillo’s home in Hamilton.
“Any time there’s an event of terrorism, it shakes you,” DeBoer said. “It’s a sad day. I’m glad that we’re here and a part of this. The healing process starts.”
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