Fans from as far away as New Jersey converged on Blanshard Street as the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation U-20 world championship tournament opened Wednesday with Pool B action inside a sold-out Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The buzz — the noise level and excitement of fans — was reminiscent of when Victoria hosted the 1994 Commonwealth Games and part of the 2007 FIFA U-20 soccer World Cup at Royal Athletic Park.
Brothers Josh and Michael Blum and friend Jason Silverstein travelled from Englewood, New Jersey, to take in the opening game of Pool B, as the United States defeated Slovakia 2-1.
The trio has been following the IIHF world U-20 tournament since 2010 and has attended each one since, from Helsinki to Buffalo.
“These players have a lot to prove,” said Josh Blum, explaining what makes the world junior event so compelling for him as a hockey fan.
His brother, also clad in a U.S. hockey jersey, agreed.
“You get to see the best up and comers,” said Michael Blum. “It’s fast, hard-hitting hockey. I like it even better than the NHL.”
That’s saying something, since the Blum brothers grew up in New Jersey watching Stanley Cup-champion Devils teams.
They are appreciative of the growth of the game they love.
“Canada used to dominate every year, but there’s a lot more parity now,” said Josh Blum.
On Wednesday, there were noticeable groups of Slovakian fans in the arena cheering on their homeland, many of whom had travelled over on morning ferries. They are passionate about their sport and their team.
“Hockey in Slovakia is equal to soccer,” explained Peter Miciak, who has Slovakian ancestry and came from Vancouver with five friends clad in Slovakia jerseys.
Many weren’t pleased when the draw directed Slovakia to the Island and not Rogers Arena in Vancouver, where host Canada is also based for Pool A play.
“Some of the guys weren’t happy when it was announced Slovakia would play in Victoria,” said Miciak, with a chuckle.
But they have made the best of it — there’s nothing like a road trip for sports fans.
Most of the fans on opening day at Memorial Centre were in Canada jerseys and seemed homegrown, however. Those neutrals were decidedly pro-Slovakian, rooting for the underdogs.
Traditional hockey powers Finland and Sweden played in Wednesday’s late Pool B game.
The world juniors continue today at the Memorial Centre with games at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.
