The clock is ticking, and the ice is melting... or is it? The first test game at the Olympic hockey rink in Milan revealed some unexpected challenges, sparking concerns just weeks before the world's best athletes are set to compete. But, is everything as precarious as it seems? Let's dive in.
The inaugural game at the Santagiulia Arena, the main venue for hockey at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, wasn't without its hiccups. A five-minute delay was needed to patch a hole in the ice, but the players, who were christening the rink on Friday night, reported that conditions improved as the Italian Cup semifinal progressed.
"I didn’t feel any holes anymore on the ice during the second and the third period," shared Tommaso Terzago, a forward for Varese Hockey. "For sure, during the first one, at some point personally, I put the point of my skate in the hole. There was nothing under the point of my skate, so I had a little sensation. Then they solved it.”
Florian Wieser of SV Kaltern/Caldaro added, "It’s still a work in progress, but the ice was pretty OK... I think maybe not perfect, but when the NHLers are coming, I think it will be good.”
This was an encouraging message, especially considering the game was between teams from the second division of Italian men’s hockey. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have voiced considerable concerns about construction delays, pushing this test event back to a tight timeframe before the Olympics commence.
The main aim of the seven games played over the weekend was to test the ice under conditions that would mirror the Olympics and address any issues. The NHL sent ice technicians, including Don Moffatt of the Colorado Avalanche, to Milan over a month ago to assist local crews. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly issued a stark warning: "Obviously, if the players feel like the ice is unsafe, we’re not going to play. It’s as simple as that.”
The game between Kaltern/Caldaro and Varese was watched by a few thousand spectators who cheered throughout the night. Raphaël Bastille of Varese scored the first goal in the building, and as the only Canadian on either team, he might be a good omen for his countrymen, who are scheduled to open their Olympic tournament here against Czechia on February 12. Bastille mentioned that the ice felt a little harder than what he's used to, but overall, the quality was quite good for the first game.
But here's where it gets controversial... The state of construction has drawn global attention. Wieser's social media posts from inside Santagiulia went viral, with one video receiving over 8 million impressions. The arena is slated to host 24 of the 30 men’s games and eight from the women’s tournament. And it's still far from finished.
The secondary Rho Arena, which held a test in December, is in good working order, while at Santagiulia, a construction crew of 2,500 people has been working around the clock. The expected capacity of 14,012 will be reduced to 11,800. While 11 of the 14 permanent dressing rooms in the practice rink are incomplete, the four dressing rooms in the game rink were ready for the test event.
And this is the part most people miss... Significant work remains, including fully sealing the building, with multiple gaps in the exterior walls open to the elements. The facilities adjacent to Santagiulia are a construction zone. The ice was only laid this week at the practice rink, and it’s not ready for use.
Organizers are optimistic about getting the venue ready by February 5. Bastille expressed hope that construction would be finished in time. Kaltern/Caldaro won the opening game 8-3. The players didn't have any issues with the neutral zone, which is smaller than usual. The bigger adjustment was getting used to the smaller width of the North American-style ice surface. They usually play on a 30-meter-wide rink in Europe, while this one is 26 meters wide.
Despite the unfamiliar setting and ongoing construction, it was a thrill for the players to be part of the inaugural game at the future Olympic venue. Varese plays in a 1,200-seat arena, and Kaltern/Caldaro calls the 1,500-seat Raiffeisenarena home. Terzago said, "It’s amazing... I hope they will work 24 hours a day to make it ready for the Olympics.”
What do you think? Are the concerns about the rink's readiness overblown, or is there genuine cause for worry? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
