[3] According to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman: "To launch our next 100 years, we believe it is only right to bring the Canadiens and the Senators back together.

"[5] Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson remarked that he had spent a significant amount of time to convince the NHL to hold an outdoor game in Ottawa, noting that "at some point I think I could be accused of harassment – borderline harassment – for the calls that went back and forth between my office and the NHL and the Senators.

The area hosted the Stanley Cup for pictures, and various sponsor and media set up interactive exhibits and games.

A rink was set up outdoors on Parliament Hill and teams of NHL alumni played an exhibition game.

A major junior game between the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) (who were celebrating their 50th anniversary; the team was established and named in honour of Canada's centennial) and the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) was held on the rink on the following day, December 17, with the Olympiques winning 4–1.

Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson stopped all 28 Montreal shots, while Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Bobby Ryan and Nate Thompson each scored a goal.