from Bruc Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The decision was predictable and foolhardy just the same.

It comes down to this — quietly on a Friday afternoon — the federal government announced there will be no outdoor game on Parliament Hill during a milestone year for our country and the NHL’s 100th anniversary.

The Senators opted to bite their tongues and take one for the team Friday, when the office of heritage minister Melanie Joly quietly announced the federal government has spiked the idea of holding an outdoor game on the Hill on Dec. 19, 2017.

Talk about a missed opportunity.

Somewhere, Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, whose team has put in more than 18 months trying to make this dream a reality, is likely livid. Ottawa officials opted to keep it classy and released a statement that left you with the impression that deep down, they’re really upset.

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