Ice Hockey World Championship: Extended Intermissions Aiming to Enhance Ice Quality
Ice-related matters: Global association prolongs pauses - Following the ice issues, World Federation Implementation of the Third Measure
This year's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning is seeing an unexpected yet necessary change due to ice-related issues. As a result, intermissions will now stretch to 17 minutes, with each one being extended by a couple of minutes. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has taken the initiative to ensure that the ice surfaces are well-frozen and hardened after being resurfaced during breaks, aiming to maintain consistent ice quality in Herning [1].
As a testament to the issue, the game between Germany and Norway on Tuesday saw two temporary halts due to a substantial hole in the ice. Professional NHL goaltender Philipp Grubauer has since voiced his concerns, a concern backed by fellow players and now addressed by the world federation [2].
Coming up next: Switzerland
The German team takes on the reigning vice-world champion Switzerland today in Danish Herning at 4:20 PM, broadcasted on ProSieben and Magentasport. So far, the team has some impressive victories under their belt, winning each of their three games [1].
More on the Ice Issues
- Duration: The extension of intermissions times now stretches to 17 minutes across both Herning and Stockholm venues. This change went into effect from Thursday's matches [1].
- Reason: Primarily, the move aims to provide more time for ice maintenance between periods, a crucial aspect considering incidents like the ice hole seen during the Norway vs. Germany game, which led to a 20-minute delay [1][3].
The challenges faced due to suboptimal ice conditions in some venues, particularly Stockholm, have sparked concerns about player safety and gameplay. Extending intermissions should help mitigate such issues by guaranteeing better ice conditions [1].
- The Community policy should address the extended intermission duration during the Ice Hockey World Championship, ensuring that spectators are informed about the changes implemented to improve ice quality.
- Under the employment policy, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has taken proactive measures to hire additional staff specifically dedicated to maintaining optimal ice conditions during games, demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality sports events such as the Ice Hockey World Championship.
