An outdoor NHL game in the capital is now in the hands of the owners of the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens.
That's the word from Mayor Jim Watson who met with Sens owner Eugene Melnyk this week.
Watson told TSN 1200 Friday it was a positive meeting, despite Melnyk's disappointment in not being able to use Parliament Hill as the venue.
"(Melnyk said) he didn't want to have just another run-of-the-mill stadium game," said Watson.
Watson is hoping to have the NHL Heritage Classic at TD Place, adding they aren't looking into any other venues.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the very first NHL game, which took place in our own city."
A decision is expected by mid-January at the latest.