The game was a first-division contest between HC Slava Praha (one of two Prague pro teams) and BK Mlada Boleslav. Here are some pictures I took at the game. I have some video too but I'll probably have to upload that when we get home. The home team posted pics on its website too.
Some comments on the game:
- The most expensive ticket was $15 and the place was maybe 1/3 full. No idea why. It might be because the Prague team is playing in a large venue.
- No anthems. Instead, they played a full-length version of Queen's "We are the Champions" while they slowly raised last year's championship banner.
- The style of play here is definitely different. No fighting, of course. Much more fluid and less contact. The defensive play was lousy overall, perhaps due to the lack of physical contact in the European game. Defensemen were poke checking and getting burned alot. Made for some exciting set-ups though and a ton more chances. The goalies had to be good.
- Saw lots of nifty stickhandling. Dribbling the puck in the skates was common. I'm sure NHL players can do that but are told not to because of the risk of losing the puck.
- The players in the Czech league can be docked 10% of their wages -- which probably aren't that high to begin with -- for diving and faking. The decision is based on post-game video review of any such penalties. Welcome to Europe.
- The fans who showed up were great. No hooligans here and lots of kids having fun.
- As you can see from the signage on the concession stands, English is spoken everwhere.
- Ads everywhere, even on the officials' rear ends (how a company can be convinced to place ads there is beyond me). But there were oddly no ads on the zamboni machines.
For those of you who are checking my blog for traditional travel pics, I'll post some when I get a chance.
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