Hockey night in Sweden

I just went and saw a hockey game between MODO and Farjestad. I picked this game because I knew that the Sedin twins (and Peter Forsberg and Tommy Salo) are playing for MODO.

Farjestad is pretty far away from Stockholm. In fact I practically took the train back across Sweden to close to the Norweigian border to get there. Farjestad is a suburb of Karlsberg, which is a pretty small town (supposedly 80K people compared to Stockholm's supposed 750K people). I think I saw gypsies. Or atleast I saw some really drunk people at a bus stop.

Anyway it was a pain and a rush to get to the game on time. I managed to walk to the stadium and had this 'Im in backwater Sweden bias going' So when I saw a bunch of kids playing hackey-football outside the stadium, I thought that's pretty casual.

As I walked by, it registered to me that they were all wearing MODO track suits and yes, there was Forsberg and one of the Sedins standing next to me (I can't tell them apart - I took a picture so you could tell me). So anyway, everyone was pretty much just walking by these guys ignoring them (the away team) and I was just a little surprised. I thought about talking to the Sedin, but I'd have to interrupt and figured I wouldn't bother.

Here are some notes on the game
* Ticket cost 40 dollars. I was lucky to get it as it was a sold out game.

* Hot dog costs 2 dollars

* Stadium is warm inside, I was wearing a t-shirt

* Fans ride their bikes to the game. There were about 1000 bikes parked outside the stadium. Lots of young fans and families.

* Music was the same to a Canucks game: 'Panama', 'Rock the night', 'Boys are back in town', 'Pump up the jam'.

* Smell of the stadium was burning metal - like when you turn on electric heat elements. The stadium was only 3 years old so maybe it's still being broken in.

* There was a huge fan section behind home goal. This fan section had everyone all dressed in Farjestad colours, drums and two guys leading the chants. It was incredible - it is what I expected to see at a Football game, not a hockey game. The two guys leading the chants would stand up and say something like 'kung liver' and everyone in the stands would thrust their hands forward (ala Hail Hitler) and say Ra (thurst hand) Ra (thrust hand) Ra (thrust hand). They had about 5 different chants I think. After awhile I did notice that there was a very small section further away from the game but near this fan section for the MODO fans.

* No english was spoken during the announcements. Norway is very bilingual compared to Sweden.

* I lied a bit about the english. These were the phrases that were used in English (bracketed in Swedish dialogue):
* 'Welcome to the big show!'
* 'Let's get ready to rumble!'
* 'Offside' (the PA announces announce this)
* 'Icing'

* There was no shot clock. Farjestad was outshooting MODO by about 2 to 1, but I could not see the stats anywhere.

* The Sedin twins did not score. In fact they took 3 penalties and give me the impression that they are a bit rougher than the swedish players.

* No beer is allowed in the stands! Between periods, people would rush into these small beer gardens and presumably down a beer in the 15 minutes before the next period started.

This was one of the most exciting games I've ever been to and was the highlight of my trip to Sweden. I think it is because of the rabid home cheering stands which put out sooo much energy during the game. I will try and go to another Hockey game on my travels.