Music: {allcanada} Senators coach: Stop throwing burgers, donate to food banks instead

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

{allcanada} Senators coach: Stop throwing burgers, donate to food banks instead

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The Ottawa Senators are the toast of the NHL, as is their 27-year-old goaltender Andrew Hammond a.k.a. the Hamburglar. The optimism surrounding the team and its goaltender among their fan base has brought about a new tradition that is starting to get a little messy.

Senators fans have taken to throwing real hamburgers on the ice after (and sometimes during) games. It was funny the first few times, but it's delayed the game at various points and caused the ice crew to have to turn into janitors. Not to mention that the Sens could also be penalized for their fans throwing things on the ice during the course of play.

As fun as it might be, there's been a recent outcry regarding the waste of perfectly good (if unhealthy) food. One such person that would like to see the tradition altered is Senators head coach Dave Cameron. He shared his thoughts on the topic during his media availability Wednesday (which can be viewed in full here):

"I just want to finish with one comment. I heard a nice thing on the way in today on the radio about, I think there was a comment made on a talk show yesterday that instead of throwing hamburgers on the ice or food on the ice, it might be a good idea to make a donation to a food bank. I thought that was a great idea. Sometimes you appreciate the support and enthusiasm of your fans, too, but sometimes it can be generated or channeled in a better way. I certainly would back that up."

Growing up in a house where I'd get the guilt trip if I ever wasted a morsel of food, I can get on board with this, though this kind of throws a wet blanket on something that has been pretty harmless overall. That said, you really can't argue with the sentiment.

There's nothing that says the average Senators fan couldn't throw a $2 burger on the ice and donate some canned goods, or whatever else they might need at a local food bank. Best of both worlds, I suppose. And also, let's think of Sens forward Curtis Lazar. Where else is he going to get an extremely convenient and delicious postgame snack?

In all seriousness, it's a great thought from Cameron to get behind and one that hopefully can be used as a cross-promotion opportunity with some local Ottawa food banks. If there's more positivity to be gained from this recent silly tradition, go for it.

Bethany Joy Lenz / Beyonce Knowles / Black Labradors / Ben Affleck