IIHF World Cup 2010

[K-Menki]

Today I've read about rumours that the opening match of the hockey world cup 2010 in Germany will be played in the Arena auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen. The plan is to increase the capacity of the arena up to 78.000 specators to reach a new world record for most specators during a hockey game. The current record is 74.554 from ocotober 2001 between university of Michigan and Michigan State. Last years winter classic between Buffalo and Pittsburgh had 71.217 spectators.  (Source: http://www.kicker.de/news/eishockey/startseite/artikel/500151/).


Link to arena: http://www.veltins-arena.de

[K-Menki]

There were many press releases on monday telling that it is sure now that the world cup 2010 will be openend in Gelsenkirchen. They will setup different records. Here are some articles in English lanugage:

http://www.iihf.com/de/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/2010-opener-in-soccer-arena-1.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=955&cHash=cda551efcf
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/12/15/worldhockeygermany081215.html?ref=rss
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/246314,ice-hockey-worlds-in-germany-2010-seek-world-crowd.html

[K-Menki]

Gongratz to Russia who won the World Cup title yesterday 



Now the focus is on the next World Cup. I've found the groups for the next one in 2010 today. Here are the groups:

Group A (in Cologne): Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Kazakhstan.
Group B (in Mannheim): Canada, Switzerland, Latvia, Italy.
Group C (in Mannheim): Sweden, Czech Republic, Norway, France.
Group D (in Cologne): Finland, USA, Germany, Denmark.

The world cup 2010 will be from May 7 till May 23, 2010. Here is the website for this event: http://www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/

I live only 10 minutes away from the arena in Mannheim. So if anyone plans to travel to this event and need tips or help, I will help you. I plan to visit Canada vs Switzerland and Sweden vs Czech Republic. I already have tickets for the opening match between Germany and USA/Finland. They stopped selling tickets for this event because they've already sold over 60.000 tickets for the opening match and wanted to give fans from Germany's opponent the chance to buy tickets.

If the Blue Jackets will miss the 2010 playoffs (I don't hope that) and Rick Nash will play for Team Canada I will try everything to meet him and get a signature on my Nash Jersey  

[CanadianJacketsFan]

GO DANMARK!

[K-Menki]

The IIHF confirmed today that the opening match will be Team Germany vs Team USA. It is very sure the game will be sold out and the new world record for specators during a hockey game will be set to 75.976 - Very fine

[CanadianJacketsFan]

The IIHF confirmed today that the opening match will be Team Germany vs Team USA. It is very sure the game will be sold out and the new world record for specators during a hockey game will be set to 75.976 - Very fine

I thought opening games were always the host country vs the defending champs, or at least that's how it should be.

Watch out for Zach Parise!

[K-Menki]

CRAIG MACTAVISH NAMED CANADA’S HEAD COACH FOR 2010 IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/16980/la_id/1/ss_id/63000/nr_id/72319.htm)

[K-Menki]

MARK MESSIER ANNOUNCES FIRST GROUP OF PLAYERS REPRESENTING CANADA AT 2010 IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN GERMANY

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/16980/la_id/1/ss_id/63000/nr_id/72859.htm


Goaltenders/Gardiens de but
Chris Mason    L/G    6’0”    195    04/20/76    Red Deer, Alta./Alb.    St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Defence/Défense
François Beauchemin    L/G    6’0”    213    06/04/80    Sorel, Que./QC    Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Brent Burns    R/D    6’5”    219    03/09/85    Ajax, Ont.    Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Mark Giordano    L/G    6’0”    203    10/03/83    Toronto, Ont.    Calgary Flames (NHL)
Kris Russell    L/G    5’10”    185    05/02/87    Caroline, Alta./Alb.    Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Marc Staal    L/G    6’4”    202    01/13/87    Thunder Bay, Ont.    New York Rangers (NHL)
Forwards/Avants
Rene Bourque    L/G    6’2”    213    12/10/81    Lac La Biche, Alta./Alb.    Calgary Flames (NHL)
Steve Downie    R/D    6’0”    200    04/03/87    Queensville, Ont.    Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Evander Kane    L/G    6’2”    190    08/02/91    Vancouver, B.C.    Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Steve Ott    L/G    6’0”    195    08/19/82    Stoney Point, Ont.    Dallas Stars (NHL)
Corey Perry    R/D    6’3”    209    03/16/85    Peterborough, Ont.    Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Rich Peverley    R/D    6’0”    200    07/08/82    Guelph, Ont.    Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
Steven Stamkos    R/D    6’1”    196    02/07/90    Unionville, Ont.    Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
John Tavares    L/G    6’0”    195    09/20/90    Oakville, Ont.    New York Islanders (NHL)
Ray Whitney    L/G    5’10”    180    05/08/72    Fort Saskatchewan, Alta./Alb.    Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/72858/la_id/1.htm

[K-Menki]

Twelve Players Named to 2010 U.S. Men's National Team
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_01_03&id=285652

[K-Menki]

No Rick Nash playing in Mannheim 

Here a photo from Kris Russel in Germanys last exhibition game before the opening match (4-1 win for Canada, goals scored by Corey Perry(2), Rene Bourque, Steven Stamkos)



Canada’s 23-man roster

Goalkeepers: Chad Johnson (New York Rangers), Chris Mason (St. Louis Blues).

Defencemen: François Beauchemin (Toronto Maple Leafs), Brent Burns (Minnesota Wild), Kyle Cumiskey (Colorado Avalanche), Michael Del Zotto (New York Rangers), Mark Giordano (Calgary Flames), Tyler Myers (Buffalo Sabres), Kris Russell (Columbus Blue Jackets), Marc Staal (New York Rangers).

Forwards: Rene Bourque (Calgary Flames), Steve Downie (Tampa Bay Lightning), Matthew Duchene (Colorado Avalanche), Evander Kane (Atlanta Thrashers), Brooks Laich (Washington Capitals), Steve Ott (Dallas Stars), Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks), Rich Peverley (Atlanta Thrashers), Ryan Smyth (Los Angeles Kings), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), John Tavares (New York Islanders ), Ray Whitney (Carolina Hurricanes). Alternate: Jordan Eberle (Regina Pats, WHL).

23-man roster of Team USA

Goalkeepers: Ben Bishop (Peoria Rivermen, AHL), Scott Clemmensen (Florida Panthers, NHL), David Leggio (TPS Turku, FIN).

Defencemen: Taylor Chorney (Edmonton Oilers, NHL), Matt Gilroy (New York Rangers, NHL), Andy Greene (New Jersey Devils, NHL), Matt Greene (Los Angeles Kings, NHL), Jack Hillen (New York Islanders, NHL), Jack Johnson (Los Angeles Kings, NHL), Mike Lundin (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL), Keith Yandle (Phoenix Coyotes, NHL).

Forwards: Ryan Carter (Anaheim Ducks, NHL), Brandon Dubinsky (New York Rangers, NHL), Nick Foligno (Ottawa Senators, NHL), T.J. Galiardi (Colorado Avalanche, NHL), Christian Hanson (Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL), Tim Kennedy (Buffalo Sabres, NHL), Chris Kreider (Boston College, HEA), David Moss (Calgary Flames, NHL), Eric Nystrom (Calgary Flames, NHL), Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders, NHL), T.J. Oshie (St. Louis Blues, NHL), Ryan Potulny (Edmonton Oilers, NHL).


Ovechkin will play for Russia: =187&cHash=8201718164]http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/ovechkin-bound-for-cologne/roster.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=187&cHash=8201718164

The stadium gets prepared for the opening match: http://www.bild.de/BILD/sport/mehr-sport/eishockey/2010/05/04/schalke-arena/wird-fuer-eishockey-wm-zum-groessten-eisstadion-der-welt.html

[K-Menki]

Back from Schalke - amazing - hockey history was made.

Here a short impression, some more tomorrow, now I will fall into bed:

[Coluejack]

That is awesome!! What is the capacity there?

Russell had the game winner today for Canada, scoring the third goal of the game (on the powerplay)..

He actually looked quite solid.

[K-Menki]

The capacity is normally 61.482 during soccer matches. They can drive the grass out. For this match, they built addtional standings to the rink. So there have been 77.803 people, setting a new record 



BTW Gratz to Denmark Two underdogs leading the group - very exciting. 

[CanadianJacketsFan]

DANMARK! 

[K-Menki]

Some pictures from Czech Republic vs Sweden with Voracek, Jagr, Novotny, Bäckman,....
Tomorrow I'll be on Canada vs Sweden...