Skaters hoping to hit the ice for Hockey Day in Canada Saturday lucked out in Ottawa, after a recent cold snap froze the ice enough to allow the National Capital Commission to reopen part of the Rideau Canal.

The commission, the federal agency that oversees the outdoor skateway, reopened a three-kilometre long stretch of ice between Waverly Street and the Bank Street Bridge Saturday morning.

The canal was temporarily closed last week after a stretch of mild weather and rain damaged the ice. The capital commission is still warning skaters to stay off closed sections of the canal because of unsafe ice conditions.

The commission and the Ottawa Senators hockey club teamed up Saturday afternoon to celebrate Tim Horton's Hockey Day in Canada with a three-on-three shinny tournament on the canal.