No significant incidents after the Panda Game, police say

Ottawa police said there were no significant incidents in Ottawa's Sandy Hill or Old Ottawa South neighbourhoods Sunday evening after two years of at times out-of-control partying following the annual Panda Game.

The football game between the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens is a highlight on the fall calendar for the cross-town rivals.

In recent years, however, kickoff has been followed by rowdy behaviour that's left many residents of the U of O-adjacent Sandy Hill wary of the event. 

Parties following last year's game resulted in multiple arrests for public intoxication and mischief and dozens of tickets. In 2021, thousands of people swarmed Sandy Hill near campus and some partygoers flipped a car on Russell Avenue. 

This year's game ended with the Gee-Gees claiming a last-second 18-16 win over the Ravens. As the crowd of mostly students poured out of TD Place, there were no signs of unruliness.

In an email at 1:30 a.m. Monday, Ottawa police said they had arrested two people for public intoxication and thanked people for respecting communities and going to organized activities.

Marked and unmarked police vehicles could be seen patrolling several blocks of Sandy Hill after the game.

Large groups of officers were stationed at some intersections, while bike patrols pedalled around, keeping watch for any overserved revelers.

"[We'll be] having a lot of fun, being responsible and being safe," said Will Wingrove, a Carleton University student, about his plans for the night ahead.

Minutes after this year's game ended, first-year student Avery Brazier said she was expecting "a lot of parties" Sunday night.

"Hopefully not too much trouble, that's what I'm hoping for," said Brazier, who goes to university in