The Canada-Russia Challenge series is coming to Halifax on Monday.
Hockey can sometimes be a hard sell in the heat, however many fans are already hyped for the action on the ice.
“Never too hot for hockey,” says one fan. “We’re Canadian, hockey all day long!”
“It’s going to be really exciting,” says fan Hunter Graham. “I’m looking forward to it a lot.”
Some of the best junior aged players in the world are playing in the series, which marks the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit series. The tournament kicked off yesterday in Yaroslavl, Russia, as Canada topped Russia 3-2. Today, the Russians are on top, sending the four game series back to Halifax tied at one.
Brad Crossley remembers the ’72 series and thinks the decades long rivalry will make for some great hockey.
“The players certainly know about that, but I think there’s bragging rights on the line,” says Crossley. “They’re both two quality teams with outstanding individual talents and Canada’s not going to wanna lose on home soil and they’ll wanna put on a good show.”
Despite all the talent on the Canadian team, there is a noticeable absentee.
“I was looking forward to seeing Nathan MacKinnon, but unfortunately, he’s not playing,” says fan Craig Sutherland.
Hometown hero Nathan MacKinnon isn’t allowed to play which may be hampering ticket sales. There are still about 4,000tickets left for each game but Hockey Canada isn’t worried.
“We’ve had exceptional success in Halifax with every international event we’ve had here and that’s exactly why we’re back here, so we see no reason why we won’t have more success here next Monday and Tuesday,” says Kevin Webster of Hockey Canada.
With files from CTV's Garreth MacDonald
