talviklassikko 2011 a.k.a. winter classic 2011, helsinki style



1952 Olympic Stadium- Helsinki
(photo: S.F.)



So, I've mentioned a time or two that J's team was playing in an outdoor game this February.  It took place at the Olympic Stadium from 1952 here in Helsinki, right before the week-long National Team break. 

When I first heard that they were planning a game outdoors in Finland in February, I was worried that it would be freezing.... but the weather could not have been more perfect! (for an outdoor hockey game that is...)  It was right around 30 degrees Fahrenheit... just cold enough to keep the ice good for the guys and warm enough to keep our fingers and toes from falling off (with the help of many layers of clothes and hand/toe warmers!)  It was even lightly snowing during the 3rd period to give the full effect of a game played where it was truly meant to be played - outside :)

The game ended with Jokerit falling 4-3 to HIFK, but it was a great and memorable experience for everyone.  The attendance was 36,644... setting a new record for ice hockey attendance in the Nordic countries, surpassing the previous record of 31,144 set in Sweden last year.

Since words don't really do the scene justice, I'll just get to the pictures already.  Some are taken by me, some by a fellow hockey wife from the team (she came out with some great shots), and some I got off of the team's website (much better quality than the ones I ended up with!)



Fans from the team did a march from downtown to
the stadium before the game.  The translation
(I think) is "the stadium belongs to us"
(photo: Jokerit website)





Fans @ the game
(photo: Jokerit website)



Jokerit locker room @ the Olympic Stadium- the
two teams did some sort of competition for who
would get the "big" locker room, we won :)
(photo: Jokerit website)



 

Starting lineups would never be complete for Jokerit
without some sort of fire
(photo: S.F.)

 

J wasn't too crazy about walking through
life-sized sparklers and flames... but it did look cool!
(photo: me)

 

All set to start the game :)
(photo: Jokerit website)





Fans @ the game
(photo: Jokerit website)



Action shot during the game
(photo: Jokerit website)



Jokerit goal
(photo: Jokerit website)





Heading back to the ice, J is in the bottom
right :)
(photo: S.F.)



Another shot of the hubs - in the middle :)
(photo: me)





The snow flurries showed up just in time
for the 3rd period.  Couldn't have been more
perfect & beautiful!
(photo: Jokerit website)




Super fans ;)




The game was topped off by a fireworks show
set to music.  What a wonderful way to end
an amazing game & production. Well done, Helsinki!
(photo: Jokerit website)