English
“The Society for International Hockey Research (SIHR) has the following definition for ice hockey: Hockey is a game played on an ice rink in which two opposing teams of skaters, using curved sticks, trying to drive a small disc into or through the opposing goals.” Not exactly an exciting way of describing this fast sport as the atmosphere at the game is something that just has to be experienced in person. The crowd, the music, and the game is full of action and are the reason why fans join in to support their national teams year after year.
At the games there are two preliminary rounds with eight teams playing, one is played at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, the other at Globe Arena in Stockholm. Each team plays seven round games to qualify for the quarterfinals where four top teams from the preliminary rounds will be playing. Both the semifinals and the final is played in Helsinki.
Medals for this year Championships games are designed by Tapio Kerttunen with the “Winning Goal” design. As Helsinki is the World’s Design capital in 2012, Kerttunen says that “a more modern design would be the way to go” when he designed the medal.
World Championships starts in Helsinki on Friday May 4th with game between USA and France. Other countries playing in Helsinki are Canada, Switzerland, Slovakia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and of course Finland. Quarter-finals starts in Helsinki on May 17th, followed by semi-final on Saturday May 19th. The Final is played in Helsinki on the May 20th at 19:30. Full timetable for the games can be found here: http://www.iihf.com/channels-12/iihf-world-championship-wc12/home/tournament-info/game-schedule.html.
Other events during the Championship include a Charity Concert on May 3rd at Helsinki Arena. The Concert is held to raise money for underprivileged children to support them in their hobby of ice hockey and also to support five children’s hospitals around Finland. Organizers have secured top Finnish musical talent such as Apulanta, Robin, Cheek and Paula Koivuniemi among others.
How to get to Hartwall Arena:
Hartwall Arena is in Pasila, just few minutes away from the Helsinki city center with train or a tram. Train is the quickest way to get to Pasila, only four minutes away from the central station, as it is the first stop after central station. From Pasila it is an easy access to the Arena by walking along the tracks few minutes. There is further direction in Pasila station how to access Hartwall Arena.
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