Icehockey winter classic: 2 days to go

For some background information about the upcoming Finland vs Russia outdoor icehockey game which is played at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium see the previous blog post.

Finland vs Russia stadion "Winter Classic" teams are...
 
Team Russia:


Goalkeepers

• Konstantin Barulin, Atlant
• Mikhail Biryukov, Yugra
• Ilya Ezhov, SKA

Defense

• Ivan Vishnevsky, Atlant
• Andrei Zubarev, Atlant
• Anton Belov, Vanguard
• Maxim Chudinov, Severstal
• Nikolai Belov, Neftekhimik
• Evgeny Biryukov, Metallurg Mg
• Alexander Ryazantsev, Tractor
• Ilya Nikulin, Ak Bars

Offensive

• Stanislav Chistov, Tractor
• Yevgeny Kuznetsov, Tractor
• Ilya Zubov, CSKA Moscow
• Sergei Shirokov, CSKA Moscow
• Nikolai Zherdev, Atlant
• Maxim Rybin, SKA
• Ivan Nepryaev, SKA
• Evgeny Artyukhin, SKA
• Viktor Tikhonov, SKA
• Vladimir Tarasenko, SKA
• Vadim Shipachev, Severstal
• Sergei Kalinin, Vanguard
• Egor Averin, Vanguard

Team Finland

Helsinki Olympic Stadium in summertime

Goalkeepers:

• Ari Ahonen, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
• Niko Hovinen, Pelicans

Defense:

• Petteri Nummelin, HC Lugano (Switzerland)
• Ossi Väänänen, Jokerit
• Lasse Kukkonen, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
• Topi Jaakola, Luleå HF (Sweden)
• Mikko Kousa, HIFK
• Janne Niskala, Atlant Mitishi (KHL)
• Joonas Järvinen, Pelicans
• Pasi Puistola, Severstal Tsherepovets (KHL)

Offensive:

• Juha-Pekka Hytönen, JYP
• Tuomas Kiiskinen, KalPa
• Jesse Joensuu, HV 71 (Sweden)
• Marko Anttila, TPS
• Janne Pesonen, HIFK
• Sami Kapanen, KalPa
• Jarno Koskiranta, SaiPa
• Petri Kontiola, Traktor Tsheljabinsk (KHL)
• Antti Pihlström, Salavat Julajev Ufa (KHL)
• Janne Lahti, Jokerit
• Juhamatti Aaltonen, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
• Perttu Lindgren, Lukko
• Leo Komarov, Dynamo Moskova (KHL)

Check out the live-gallery during the game (no registration, it's free). Just open the gallery (link) when the game is about to start. Or get 'ibify' from Android Market to watch it on your mobile.

There is also another pre-game live-gallery starting 2,5 hours before the game with live photo updates from activities and entertainment inside the Helsinki Olympic Stadion.

Icehockey: Finland vs Russia at the Olympic Stadium

The Euro Hockey Tour continues with the Finland vs. Russia game on February 9th 2012. The fact that it is played in the Olympic Stadium, the arena of the 1952 Olympic Games, makes the game legendary and surely one to remember.

The last time finlands national icehockey team played outdoors was in 1969 against the USSR.

The game will be ibitioned live in the live-gallery. If you want to see more about the venue or the entertainment and activities at the olympic stadium then tune in to the pre-game event live-gallery. Both galleries can be found at www.ibify.com when zooming closer to Helsinki, Finland. Android-phone users can also download the 'ibify' app from Android Market and watch the live-galleries on their phones.

The following facts make this game unique and a feast for icehockey fans:

• It's played at the Olympic Stadium: The arena of the 1952 Olympic Games.
• It's played outdoors, with special outdoor-game rules.
• The last international icehockey outdoor-game that the Finnish national team played was in 1969 against the Soviet Union.
• The last time international icehockey was played at the Olympic Stadium was in February 1941 against Sweden. Finland faired miserably and lost 0-11.
• This is an official game of the Euro Hockey Tours tournament.

Paavo Nurmi lighting the olympic fire in 1952.

Olympic Stadion during olympics in 1952.

Outdoor Icehockey Rules

The outdoor icehockey rules are slightly different from the usual rules. The following rules apply:

• The breaks between the periods are 20 minutes instead of 15 minutes.
• In outdoor games the teams will change ends in the third period at 10 minutes. This ensures that both teams get to play the same amount in the same conditions.
• If there is heavy snowfall during the game then there will be extra breaks to clean the ice.

The game probably gets television coverage in some countries but if you don't have the chance to watch it on TV you'll definately want to check out the live-gallery during the game. No registration and it's free. Just open the gallery (click the link) when the game is about to start. Or get 'ibify' from Android Market to watch in on the go on your mobile.

For hardcore icehockey fans there will be some interesting material in the pre-game event live-gallery. Rumors are that theres quite a bit of material about the coming icehockey world championship...