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The stars could not have aligned any better even if hockey fans across the country tried to script it themselves.

It would have been a worldwide event that would have put all eyes on Canada – and our capital. That is what I wanted for Ottawa and all Canadian hockey fans.

So we rolled up our sleeves and worked hard to support an effort to bring this vision to reality and invested hundreds of hours of collective work over 18 long months with a singular focus to bring the grandest game of all time to Canadians.

It has been a week since the federal government rendered its decision to not support the outdoor game on Parliament Hill. It was a decision, that, while disappointing, involved no shortage of effort made by us to try to make it happen.

And now, I read Tuesday’s editorial implying that, as the owner of the Ottawa Senators, I should have rushed to endorse a deal to bring the “cash cow” outdoor game to TD Place – and if I don’t, then I am not a “smart businessman.”

And so it seems, rather than applaud our attempts to do something spectacular for Ottawa and our hockey-loving nation, your editors would rather point a finger of blame – squarely on the Senators and me.

The blame and criticism are quite honestly difficult to endure as it unfairly suggests I don’t care about the city, nor do enough to support it. Really?