A Montreal Canadiens watch party at the Slush Puppie Center in Gatineau was canceled. The event was planned to screen the team’s Saturday playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The organizers shared the update in a press release after tickets for the event went on sale earlier in the week.  

According to the news release, the organizers had obtained broadcasting permission from TVA Sports, the exclusive French-language broadcaster of the NHL playoffs.

As per CBC News, the event was shut down due to an issue over exclusive territorial rights held by the Ottawa Senators.

A spokesperson for the NHL, however, opened up about it via email.

"We appreciate the passion and excitement surrounding the Stanley Cup playoffs,” the spokesperson stated, as per CBC News. “However, this planned event, organized by an independent promoter, never received the necessary authorization required by the NHL for large showings of our games."

The broadcast was planned to be hosted in the 4000-seat hall. It was organized by the Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy in collaboration with the Festival Outaouais en fête and Vision Multisports Outaouais.

"We are obviously disappointed that we cannot move forward with this initiative,” Wassim Aboutanos, one of the event organizers, stated in the news release.

When asked about the event and its subsequent cancellation, Senators spokesperson Sylvain St-Laurent issued a brief response.

"The Senators had very, very little to do with the decision," he said, as per CBC News.

After an amazing run in the first and second rounds, the Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes and clinched Game 1 on Thursday.

Montreal Strikes First in Game 1

Montreal delivered a statement result in the Eastern Conference Final. In Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Canadiens secured a dominant 6–2 victory.

Carolina grabbed the lead 33 seconds into the game. However, Montreal roared back 27 seconds later and scored three more in the subsequent 11 minutes to secure a 4-1 lead.

Despite being outshot by the Hurricanes, Montreal maintained the advantage and forced its opponents into making poor reads.

Carolina attempted a comeback after winger Eric Robinson pulled the score back to 4-2. However, two goals from Montreal's Juraj Slafkovský sealed the result.

In the aftermath, questions emerged regarding the Hurricanes' 11-day layoff leading up to the Eastern Conference Finals. The team had notably conceded only 10 goals in the playoffs before Thursday night.

While talking to the press, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki lauded his team.

“We knew we could come in here and try to get off to a good start to the series,” Suzuki said. “We’re happy with the result, but they’re definitely going to be better than what they were tonight.”

With Game 2 also taking place in the Lenovo Center on May 24, Montreal will hope to deliver another upset before taking the series home.

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Ankita Yadav

Edited by

Sijo Paul