OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators announced today that the team will host an open practice as part of the on-going Sens Gameday Experience program on Thursday, Dec. 30, at Scotiabank Place. The Senators are scheduled to take to the ice at 11 a.m. for practice in preparation for Friday night’s game in Columbus. Arena doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

The initiative, which is presented by Esso, is the second of the season. Esso also serves as a sponsor of this year’s 12th annual Bell Capital Cup. Thursday’s open practice provides teams at this year’s tournament with an opportunity to watch a live NHL team practice.

General admission and parking is free of charge with non-perishable food donations being accepted on site by the Ottawa Food Bank. Volunteers will also be on hand to collect gently used hockey equipment. The Senators along with Canadian Tire, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, the Sens Foundation and the Ottawa District Hockey Association, have recently joined forces to make hockey more accessible to disadvantaged youth across the region through the Equipment for Kids program. Equipment donated on Thursday will be directed to this program. The first 500 kids in attendance will also receive a free Ottawa Senators poster courtesy of Esso.

For additional information, please visit: www.ottawasenators.com/sensexperience