Yesterday, the story was very different.
Ontario’s Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries confirmed Sunday that “no spectators are allowed to attend games in-person” — hours after Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown issued a call to allow 2,500 fully vaccinated health-care and essential workers to attend Monday’s big game.
“They have sacrificed so much during the pandemic and it would be great to recognize their heroic efforts,” Brown wrote in a letter addressed to outgoing chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams.
Brown urged the province to follow the lead of Quebec Premier François Legault, who on Saturday allowed about 2,500 fans into Montreal’s Bell Centre to watch the Montreal Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime, forcing Game 7.