Rideau Canal skateway plays host to 150 games of shinny

Who needs to open up the wallet for a Ottawa Senatorsticket when you cancatch150 games of shinny for free?

That was the scene Saturday morning on the Rideau Canal, where some 2,500 minor hockey players crowded onto thestill-frozen skatewayfor the massive celebration of outdoor hockey.

• Full Rideau Canal Skateway temporarily closes Saturday night

The five-on-five, 60-minute games marked both Hockey Day in Canada and the fact that 2017 is the country's 150thbirthday.

The National Capital Commission closed the entire length of the canal until 9:15 a.m. so they could take place.

150 hockey games on the Rideau Canal

8 years ago

Duration 0:35

The Rideau Canal was shut down to everyone but 2,500 minor hockey players to mark Hockey Day in Canada.

Of course, if you do want to see the Senators play, they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.