Chris Jones provides updates from Italy ahead of the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympics. The Milano Santagiulia arena, which has faced challenges, hosted its first game on Friday, offering a glimpse of hockey amid ongoing preparations.
The arena’s much-anticipated “test event” started with a Coppa Italia semifinal to demonstrate readiness for the NHL’s return to hosting the best men’s Olympic tournament since 2014. Despite ongoing construction efforts, including last-minute seat cleaning, the arena’s completion was still in progress.
Only the lower section of the arena was accessible, with the upper areas covered in tarps and seats wrapped in plastic. The atmosphere carried hints of construction, yet officials remained confident in the arena’s readiness for the NHL and its players.
Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer, affirmed the arena’s readiness, emphasizing the sports aspect’s completion. Pierre Ducrey, the IOC’s sport director, echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about hosting NHL players in February.
During the test event, a minor setback occurred when a hole developed in the ice, promptly addressed with a watering can. The following day’s schedule includes further practices and games to assess the ice’s durability under more strenuous conditions.
Notably, NHL representatives refrained from commenting on Friday, with Bill Daly, the NHL’s deputy commissioner, expected to provide insights post-tournament. Luc Tardif, the IIHF president, will also share updates on Sunday.
Pending NHL player participation, organizers aim to finalize arena preparations in the remaining weeks leading up to the games. The women’s competition will kick off on Feb. 5, with Canada facing the U.S. on Feb. 10 in Milan. The men’s tournament begins on Feb. 11, featuring Canada’s preliminary games at Milano Santagiulia.
Despite visible progress, there are evident construction tasks pending completion. The ongoing efforts aim to transform the arena into a fully operational venue before the Olympic events commence.
As the sounds of hockey filled the arena for the first time, overshadowing ongoing construction noise, a sense of excitement permeated the atmosphere. Players posed for photos on the fresh ice, fans entered with enthusiasm, and the arena came alive with music and cheers, setting the stage for the upcoming Olympic hockey tournaments.