IIHF Event in Belarus Possibly "Best Ever"

As the International Ice Hockey World Championship moves toward the critical quarterfinal elimination round, federation president René Fasel says that the championship in Minsk could be the "best ever."

Belarusian hockey fans have embraced the championship, and it is conceivable that the 17-day event will set an all-time world championship attendance record.

"After the Olympics in Sochi, I said that it was the best Winter Olympics, and if it continues like this here, it will be the best world championship," Fasel said, addressing the media on Monday morning at Minsk Arena.

"Attendance has exceeded all expectations," said the IIHF chief and IOC executive board member. "They are really great fans of our game here."

It is the first time that Belarus is hosting the annual championship, a decision by the IIHF considered controversial by some due to the country’s human rights record.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, an avid hockey enthusiast and recreational player, opened the championship alongside Fasel and has attended various games.

Setting a precedent in Belarus, all accredited persons for the championship have received visa-free entry into the country, and fans are allowed to enter by simply displaying game tickets.

Sixteen teams in two groups are playing 64 contests at two arenas in the Belarusian capital – the 15,000-spectator Minsk Arena and the newly built Chizhovka Arena, which accommodates 10,000.

According to IIHF general secretary Horst Lichtner, 432,000 tickets have been sold for both venues thus far. The all-time world championship attendance record is 552,097 when the event was staged in Prague in 2004.

"The race is on. We are pretty sure that we will be successful," Lichtner said about surpassing the attendance total in Prague.

Perhaps contributing to the record attendance has been the fact that games have not been shown at fan sites or on large screens in the city center as is customary.

Fasel said that the reason was to "fill the tribunes at the arenas," but others have speculated that the government was fearful of protests or other problems had too many fans congregated together.

Minsk was awarded the championship by the IIHF in 2009, and a host of new hotels have been constructed and expanded.

"Feedback from the teams is that they have wonderful hotel conditions," Lichtner advised.

"The Belarusian hockey federation and the government had to start from zero," Fasel said. "We are very happy with the progress they made. The hotels and arenas will be a great legacy for Belarus after we leave."

Minsk 2014 organizing president Yevgeni Vorsin said: "This is a new experience for us. We can now say that we’ve made it and we’ve succeeded.

"All the authorities in the country have worked for this, and they’ve done their best job for the championship."

The tournament – which is being broadcast live to 150 countries - concludes on Sunday, May 25 with the bronze and gold medal matches being played at Minsk Arena.

Ovechkin Injury, Redemption for Russia

Russian superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin was injured in his team’s victory over Germany on Sunday night.

The three-time Olympian was hurt in the third period after an open-ice hip check by Germany’s Marcus Kink. The brunt of the collision appeared to be taken by Ovechkin’s right knee, as the Russian captain fell hard to the ice. No penalty was called on the hit.

Ovechkin was helped off the ice, unable to put weight on his right knee, and later taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

An MRI scan cleared the winger of any possibility of torn ligaments, although he is reportedly still feeling some pain from his right knee.

Team Russia GM Andrei Safronov told reporters at Minsk Arena: "Sasha [Ovechkin] will definitely stay with the team. Even if he couldn't play, he'd still be here. He's not just a part of this team. He's a leader."

Ovechkin will miss Tuesday night’s game against Belarus, but his return to the tournament playoffs has not been ruled out.

The federation also issued a critical statement to the IIHF on Monday, calling for strong disciplinary action against the German player.

Considering Russia’s poor performance at February’s Olympics in Sochi, there is substantial pressure on new national team head coach Oleg Znarok and his players to bring home a gold medal from Minsk.

On Tuesday, another Russian star forward, Evgeni Malkin, joined the team since his Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the NHL Playoffs.

Russia is 6-0 at the world championship with one preliminary round game against Belarus remaining. Eight teams begin the elimination round with the quarterfinal on Thursday.

Tight Security At Minsk Venues

Security measures have been extremely tight at the two venues in Minsk with multiple levels of checkpoints and related inconsistencies providing challenges.

Lines through security points have been lengthy at times with extensive inspections of bags, laptops, cameras, and other gear. Typically, after passing through security onto the venue premises, journalists and other tournament staff are checked yet again just minutes later upon entering the arenas.

Some journalists have expressed concern, particularly cameramen with excess gear, about inefficiencies in the procedures.

"To be honest, we can do a lot of things at the world championships, but we cannot change the legislation of a country even if we don’t like it," said IIHF general secretary Horst Lichtner.

"We have various complaints and issues, but this is the country," Lichtner said. "It is not ideal, but we can deal with it."

Minsk 2014 Organizing Committee president countered: "Security of teams, international representatives and fans is the most important thing.

"The security in Salt Lake City 2002 was two times more than here, so there is nothing scary or wrong about it here."

NHL in PyeongChang 2018?

With much skepticism that the National Hockey League and its players will not participate at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018, IIHF boss Fasel was asked if he was optimistic about the situation.

"I’m always optimistic. It will be challenging. Taking a decision if we play in the Olympics is part of a whole system," Fasel said, continuing to mention the various stakeholders that collaborate on the decision.

"In the end, the decision will made by the NHL Players Association," Fasel said. "I trust that they will go to Korea."

Fasel recently traveled to PyeongChang as part of the IOC coordination commission and advised that two brand new hockey arenas are being built for the Games.

"The puck is in the hands of the players," Fasel said. "The next four years will be difficult, but it is our goal to work for them."

Written by Brian Pinelli.

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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