Hockey Night with CUSS
Updated: Apr 27, 2020
By: Margaret Johnston
On Thursday, November 2nd, a bus full of excited Communications students and Senators fans left Carleton University, and arrived at the Canadian Tire Centre. We were given the truly awesome opportunity to not only go to an Ottawa Senators game, but to go on a backstage tour of the communications and media facilities in the arena!
Before the game, we were led to the top floor of the Canadian Tire Centre, where they showed us the media booth, full of all the monitors, computers, wires, and equipment necessary to ensure you can see and hear the hockey game from your living room television.
Next, Communications Director for the Ottawa Senators, Brian Morris took us on a tour of the press booth. There, we got a behind-the-scenes look at all the work that goes into reporting and broadcasting a major league hockey game. Space for television, radio, and print journalists lines the hallways, every room with a fantastic view of what’s happening on the ice below.
Morris took time for questions at the end of our tour, and gave us the rundown of a typical day at the Canadian Tire Centre (his answer: “There’s no such thing as a typical day here”). He also imparted some great advice for any aspiring sports communications professionals: Do great at the things you’re great at, work hard to become good at the things you’re not great at, and work harder than everyone else, and you will succeed.
After the tour, we found our seats in the McDonald’s Big Mac section of the arena, and watched the Ottawa Senators play the Detroit Red Wings. November 2nd was Military Appreciation Night, so the anthem and puck drop were performed by men and women in uniform.
The game was an exciting one. The Sens scored shortly into the first period, but the goal didn’t count, due to goalie interference. Late in the third period, the score was 2-1 Senators, and the Red Wings pulled their goalie. In the final minute of play, the Senators scored one last goal, for a final score of 3-1. This goal was especially exciting for the CoMS students in the stands, as a Senator’s goal in the final minute of play means everyone in our section received a voucher for a free Big Mac!
Thank you to everyone who came out for the game and the media tour, it was a truly memorable night for everyone. Be sure to keep an eye out for future field trips from CUSS!
