Senators’ Tkachuk not thrilled about fan limits, and Norris, Ennis enter COVID protocol
Anthony Scultore
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The Ottawa Senators were supposed to host the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight but it was posptoned due to capacity limitations. However, tomorrow night’s game against the Maple Leafs is still on – for now.
“I wish it was a full crowd for tomorrow’s match. I know the province has put in rules to keep people safe … It sucks,” Tkachuk said via the Ottawa Sun. “I just wish they gave people the choice on the decision to come to games instead of just kind of taking it away.”
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Brady Tkachuk wished fans had a choice
On Friday, the province of Ontario imposed stricter COVID policies due to a spike in cases. Seating capacity in concert venues, arenas and theaters was reduced to 50 per cent capacity but no more than 1000 people.
“For us players, who want to play in front of full crowds, it’s not only for ourselves but it’s great for the people watching to kind of get out of their everyday lives,” Tkachuk added. “It’s unfortunate there won’t be many fans there tomorrow but either way we have a job to do and it’s a big game for us.”
Tkachuk is in his fourth season with the Senators, who selected him No. 4 overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. In 223 career games, he has tallied 147 points (72 goals, 75 assists) and 306 penalty minutes.
He was named the team’s 10th captain in history on November 5 The Senators signed Tkachuk to a seven-year, $57.5 million contract on Oct. 14.
Senators COVID issues
The Ottawa Senators will return from a two-week pause Saturday without forwards Josh Norris and Tyler Ennis.
Both entered the health and safety protocol Friday and will miss the Senators’ New Year’s Day return at Toronto.
Norris, 22, leads the team with 14 goals and is tied for second with 22 points in 28 games.
Ennis, 32, has 12 points and is fourth on the team with 11 assists through 26 games.
Ottawa added forwards Clark Bishop and Logan Shaw to the taxi squad in corresponding transactions.
The Senators have been idle since a 4-3 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 18.
Goaltender Anton Forsberg entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol on Monday.
–Field Level Media contributed to this article