Classic a moment for Sens to remember

NHL 100 was ‘worth every second’: Ryan

It’s easy to pinpoint the highlight of this Senators’ season.

But even it came with a little bit of suffering.

The NHL 100 Classic put on by the league at TD Place — an outdoor showcase commemorating the century anniversary of the first game ever played between Ottawa and Montreal — was a booming success. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 3-0 on goals by Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Bobby Ryan and a Nate Thompson emptynetter, along with a 28-save shutout from Craig Anderson.

The crowd of 33,959 had an obviously wonderful time, at least those in attendance who weren’t frozen. By the third period, the temperature was -13 C.

“It was cold,” Ryan said afterwards. “It was cold. It was cold. Yeah, every period it got colder. But it was worth every second. Coldest I’ve ever been. Not even close.”

The atmosphere, however, was an electric one that players were caught up in. Who can forget Erik Karlsson, sitting on the bench, singing and keeping beat with the Fitz and the Tantrums hit I Can Make Your Hands Clap?

Moments later, a Karlsson point shot was deflected by Pageau, the hometown kid and noted Habs killer, for the game’s first and ultimately winning goal.

“It was awesome,” Pageau said. “The atmosphere was crazy from the warm-up to the last second of the third. To score that goal was pretty special.”

Ryan agreed.

“The fans came out and made it a heck of a night by being loud and engaged,” Ryan said.

“And when the home team gets two points and the city can rally around a great event, makes it all the better.

“It was well done by the NHL and the city, and it’s something I will look back on, absolutely.”