Montreal Canadiens playoff game sparks fan disruptions in Quebec

A petition signed by nearly 6,500 people was launched after the NHL cancelled a Montreal Canadiens watch party in Gatineau, citing the Ottawa Senators' exclusive marketing rights within a 50‑mile radius. Organisers had sold about 400 tickets and planned to donate proceeds to a local mental‑health charity before the event was called off and refunds issued.

During Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final at the Bell Centre, a microphone failure caused the arena’s speakers to go silent while the U.S. national anthem was being performed. Spectators briefly sang the anthem themselves before the sound returned, and the incident was followed by a rendition of “O Canada.”