Senators Owner Melnyk Remains Hopeful Of Hosting Fans At Games

Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk "remains optimistic Senators’ faithful will be able to make a safe return when the club gets the green light from health authorities," according to Bruce Garrioch of the OTTAWA SUN. Melnyk said, “I’m a believer that you can have fans in (the rink) right now. I’ve got a plan, and it’s been submitted, that we can put 6,000 people in our arena by distancing, testing, putting on a mask and just making sure that you do all the right protocols. It can happen already, we can do it.” Melnyk has "consistently stated he believes a rapid testing kit outside the rink" is a way to "speed up a result." He said that the team's plan is "extensive and would involve proper social distancing, but also knows the process of getting people back to the rink has to be done gradually" (OTTAWA SUN, 1/4).