Finland Day 5 – Hello to Hartwall

Today we took in the Group B games at Hartwall Areena. Hartwall is much newer than the Helsinki Ice Hall and has more concourse space and amenities, plus it seats about 5,000 more spectators.

The first game between the Czechs and Slovaks was played in a more European defensive style, with the Czechs winning 2-0.

The later game between the Finns and Russians was more fast paced and exciting. The Finns got up 3-1, but allowed 4 straight goals to finish the second down by 2. The teams traded goals in the third and Russia won 6-4. For more play by play notes, see my Tweets.

On the Group A side it looks like the pool winner will be decided on New Years Eve when Canada takes on Sweden. The US could not avoid a let down game tonight and lost to Sweden 1-0. Canada beat Denmark in other action.

For us, tomorrow we are taking a day off from the tournament to go see some museums, a national park, and whatever else Espoo has to offer with a local we met on Christmas Eve. Espoo and Vantaa combine with Helsinki to form a metro-area.

Then on Wednesday we will be back at Helsinki Ice Hall to see Sweden in the early game and Team USA in the late game. 

New Years Eve we will spend at Hartwall for hockey and then downtown to Senate Square to ring in the New Year.