Thirty years of memories, part 2

A lot can happen in 30 years.

As the Senators organization celebrates the 30th anniversary of Canadian Tire Centre, we had fun digging through our memories to find the most memorable sporting and cultural moments from the largest arena in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

Today, we present the events ranked 20th to 11th on our list. The rest of our rankings will be available on Saturday.

No. 20: May 19, 2003 – What a start!

At 19, with 21 points in 33 games, Jason Spezza had had a pretty good first season in the NHL. However, he had not yet earned his coach's trust to the point where the latter was willing to use him in the Stanley Cup playoffs. When the Senators had their backs against the wall, trailing 3-1 in the Eastern Conference finals against the New Jersey Devils, Jacques Martin finally gave him his chance. In his first career playoff game, Spezza responded with a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory. “I just tried to stay calm. Obviously, it's exciting to see the crowd going wild,” the young center said afterward. In all, during his 11 seasons with Ottawa, Spezza appeared in 56 playoff games. He recorded 52 points.

No. 19: December 30, 2011 – A big goal in a big game

Daniel Alfredsson dreamed of scoring his 400th career goal at home. If possible, he preferred to reach this milestone in a winning cause. Otherwise, he wasn't too picky. In the end, the team captain got his wish. He scored that important goal in overtime. The goal capped off an unlikely comeback against the Calgary Flames. In their last home game of 2011, the Senators had given up three consecutive goals in the first period. “I wanted him to score that goal so badly,” Erik Karlsson told reporters late in the evening. Alfredsson's close friend, who was establishing himself as one of the NHL's best offensive defensemen, was his main accomplice on this night. Before setting up the captain's game-winning goal, Karlsson scored the tying goal in the third period.

No. 18: May 6, 2017 – Turris takes care of the Rangers

In a best-of-seven series, Game 5 is often crucial. In the second round of 2017, the Senators nearly handed the New York Rangers a big gift, letting them take the lead twice. Fortunately, veteran center Derick Brassard scored the tying goal in the third period. Then, in overtime, Kyle Turris did the job himself, carrying the puck to the opposing net before beating star goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Turris' day wasn't over yet. Since the game was played in the afternoon, the player — and his wife Julie — stopped by the Capital City Condors' end-of-season banquet on their way home.

No. 17: December 4, 2014 – Daniel Alfredsson takes one last pre-game skate

For most Ottawa fans, the notion of seeing Daniel Alfredsson on the ice in a Senators jersey was an impossible dream after the well-publicized divorce between the franchise icon and the organization in the summer of 2013. But the two sides mended fences and Alfredsson signed a one-day contract with the Senators to officially announce his retirement. And as an added bonus, the 41-year-old decided to put on his equipment and take part in one last pre-game skate at Canadian Tire Centre – an electric moment that brought back equal parts healing and nostalgia.

No. 16: August 18, 2016 – Tragically Hip hold second-last concert

On August 20, 2016, the members of legendary rock band The Tragically Hip delivered their final performance in Kingston, the city where it all began. Two days earlier, Gord Downie and his merry band took to the stage at the Canadian Tire Centre. The event was sold out, with fans traveling from as far away as Cape Breton to say goodbye to the singer, who was bravely battling cancer. In a night where everyone got their money's worth, the band drew from its impressive catalog, serving up old and recent hits.

No. 15: April 11, 2023 – Claude Giroux records 1,000^th point

Claude Giroux delighted residents of the greater capital region in the summer of 2022 when he decided to sign with the Senators as an unrestricted free agent. The highly talented forward, who spent part of his youth in Ottawa and played junior hockey in Gatineau, chose to return home to mentor the organization's promising young players. Although he was unable to lead the Senators to the playoffs, Giroux finished his first season in style, reaching the 1,000-point career milestone in his last home game. Giroux assisted center Tim Stützle late in the first period to earn the point he needed. Many members of his family were on hand to celebrate this special moment.

No. 14: February 17, 2023 – Chris Neil jersey retirement

Chris Neil has always been an emotional player. His emotions have helped him enjoy a memorable career, during which he donned the Senators jersey 1,026 times. In February 2023, on the night his number 25 was raised to the rafters of Canadian Tire Centre, emotions once again took over. The former enforcer shed a tear (or two) during his speech when he was asked to talk about his family. Neil shared a personal story. After every fight, when he raised his arms in triumph to cheer on the crowd, he also sent a secret message to his mother. He wanted to let her know that everything was okay.

No. 13: Feb. 9, 2012 – Chris Phillips scores two goals in his 1,000^th career game

Throughout his career, Chris Phillips often played games where he was one of the best players on the ice, without appearing on the score sheet. In February 2012, when he took to the ice to play his 1,000th career game, things were different. The reliable defensive defenseman ended a 74-game goal drought. He scored twice. His second goal of the game, during a power play in the third period, was the game-winner in a 4-3 victory over the Nashville Predators. The important win ended the Senators' seven-game losing streak.

No. 12: February 5, 2015 – Chris Phillips breaks franchise record for GP

It wasn't easy for Chris Phillips to get to this point. The veteran defenseman missed several games during the winter of 2015 because of back pain. Phillips hung on because he had one thing in mind: he wanted to break his friend Daniel Alfredsson's record by playing 1,179 games in a Senators uniform. On February 5, 2015, during a visit from the Washington Capitals, he was able to achieve his goal. The Senators were defeated, but in what was his last game of his career, Phillips did everything he could. He completed three hits and blocked two shots while spending just under 15 minutes on the ice. A true example of commitment, the first player selected in the 1996 draft remains associated with the organization 30 years later.

No. 11: June 20, 2008 – NHL Draft in 2008

It promised to be a memorable evening. Thousands of hockey fans from the Ottawa-Gatineau region had filled the stands at Scotiabank Place to watch the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. The Senators were hosting the event for the second time. In 2005, however, they had been forced to settle for a smaller event at a downtown convention center, and fans were not allowed to attend. June 20, 2008, went down in history for a second reason when Senators general manager Bryan Murray completed a trade to move up in the draft. Ottawa had identified its man: a young Swedish defenseman who weighed about 165 pounds and skated like the wind. Little did anyone know at the time that Erik Karlsson would go on to win two Norris Trophies in an Ottawa uniform.

Stay tuned for parts 10-1 on Saturday.