While we were in Zagreb, we went to a hockey game. Now, you might think that Zagreb is not a hockey town, and you might be right, however, as long as I remember, Zagreb had two big hockey teams. When I say big, I mean teams that could sell tickets so someone other than their immediate family.

In the 80’s, Zagreb had two skating rinks, an indoor one inside an early 70’s sports/entertainment complex, Dom Sportova, and an outdoor one in Salata, part of an outdoor sports/entertainment complex of a somewhat earlier vintage. In last few years, a new skating rink has opened in a fancy-shmancy handball arena.

While we were in Zagreb, Croatia was playing in the IIHF World Championships final. My sister got us some tickets and we were off to the spectacle.

The finals were at the old indoor arena, for which I was glad, and not just because it was much easier to get to by tram. As a kid, I’ve been to Dom Sportova on few occasions; Stars on Ice, figure skating championship, a brief attempt at public skating, but mostly I was there for the yearly winter sporting goods exchange where my dad would sell my old skis and boots and buy bigger ones for the upcoming season. Chris and I have been to Dom Sportova for a concert a few years ago, but never for a hockey game. For a hockey game, Dom Sportova shines in its well loved socialist splendour, including, but not limited to, an unmarked three wheeled ice resurfacing machine.

According to Chris, the hockey was at about AHL level. This was the last game of the tournament so both teams played well but were quite exhausted. Romanians, however, managed to shore up more energy and won the title.