It was a very special and emotional night in Ottawa on Thursday.

While it was just another regular season game against the Vancouver Canucks, it also happened to be Bobby Ryan’s first game back on home ice since he entered the joint NHL/NHLPA assistance program back on November 20 because of an alcohol problem.

Not only did the Sens win the game, but Bobby Ryan was the hero of the night as he notched a hat trick in his team’s 5-2 win.
 

The crowd erupted into “Bobby! Bobby!” chants as soon as he potted his first goal of the night and they followed it up the same way on his other goals. On top of it all off he was named the first star of the game and returned to the ice to a loud ovation.
 

Following the game, the man of the night met up with Brent Wallace and discussed his emotional night and says his wife is the first star of the game for helping him through tough times.
 

You can’t make this stuff up and you love to see it.