A Canadian soldier standing guard at a war memorial in the country’s capital was shot to death Wednesday, and gunfire then erupted inside Parliament, authorities said.
The game was scheduled at the Canadian Tire Centre in nearby Kanata.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by today’s tragic events on Parliament Hill and in downtown Ottawa,” Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement. “Our collective thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims as well as with all members of Parliament and staff who have had to manage through today’s difficult circumstances.
“Hockey is certainly secondary to these types of tragic events and we know our fans stand alongside us with the league’s decision to postpone tonight’s game.”
The NHL said the date and time of the rescheduled game will be announced at a later date.
“The National Hockey League wishes to express its sympathy and prayers to all affected by the tragic events in Ottawa,” the league said in a statement.
A Maple Leafs spokesman said the team was safe at its hotel, which is not far from Parliament Hill.
“Surreal scene outside of our hotel right now,” Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul tweeted. “Lot of very brave police officers we should all be very proud of.”
The Maple Leafs said in a statement: “We have been witness today to some terrible events but are thankful to those brave men and women for their tireless service in protecting everyone’s safety.”
The Leafs, who played the Islanders Tuesday night in New York, did not have a morning skate at Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators skated at the arena, which is about 30 minutes from downtown.
“Makes me sad what’s going on in Ottawa right now,” Senators captain Erik Karlsson tweeted. “Thoughts and prays to everyone involved. Everybody stay safe.”
Senators veteran Chris Phillips tweeted: “Heartfelt thanks to all first responders for putting their safety on the line for ours. OttawaStrong.”
The Senators’ next home game is scheduled for Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.
It’s the second time in less than two years that the NHL has postponed a game because of an attack in the city. In April 2013, the Senators were scheduled to play the Bruins after the Boston Marathon bombing. Those teams made up the game the day after the regular season ended.
Ducks 4, Sabres 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. ( AP) — Corey Perry had his second hat trick of the season and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.
Ryan Kesler also scored, and Frederik Andersen made 22 saves, losing a bid for his second consecutive shutout when Tyler Ellis scored off a rebound with 5: 04 to play. That ended Buffalo’s scoreless streak at 192 minutes, following a 1-0 loss to Florida and 3-0 loss to Boston.
Andersen, who beat St. Louis 3-0 on Sunday night for his first NHL shutout, has been in net for each of the six wins. He has stopped 154 of 162 shots after John Gibson lost the opener in Pittsburgh. Last season, the Ducks won seven straight after a season-opening loss at Colorado.
Perry completed his seventh career hat trick with 1:25 left, scoring into an empty net after beating Michal Neuvirth on a one- timer from the high slot with 2:43 remaining. The 2011 MVP and three-time All-Star has eight goals in his first seven games — including three in the Ducks’ opening-night loss.
Flyers 5, Penguins 3
PITTSBURGH ( AP) — R. J. Umberger and Matt Read scored 2 minutes apart in the third period to lift Philadelphia past Pittsburgh.
Umberger, a Pittsburgh native, beat Marc- Andre Fleury 6: 50 into the third to break a tie and Read followed with a backhander to help the Flyers improve to 12-2-1 at Consol Energy Center since the arena opened in 2010.
Sean Couturier had a goal and an assist, Mark Streit and Pierre- Edouard Bellemare also scored for the Flyers, and Ray Emery stopped 21 shots.
Nick Spaling had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh, Pascal Dupuis and Marcel Goc also scored, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves.
Though the game featured two U.S. teams, the sell-out crowd sang “O Canada” before the opening faceoff as a tribute to the Canadian soldier killed in attack in Ottawa.
Oilers 3, Capitals 2
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Ben Scrivens made 32 stops and Edmonton handed Washington its first regulation loss of the season.
Justin Schultz, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nikita Nikitin scored to help the Oilers win their second straight game after opening the season 0-4-1. Teddy Purcell added two assists.
John Carlson and Mike Green scored for Washington. The Capitals dropped to 3-1-2.
Twenty seconds after Green gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead early in the second period, Nugent- Hopkins countered for the Oilers. Nikitin put Edmonton ahead on a power play with 3:52 left in the second.
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