CSKA - Spartak Hockey Game

On Friday night I got to go to the CSKA Moscow - Spartak hockey game. Both teams are based in Moscow and there is a strong rivalry between the teams. CSKA (Central Sports Army) is the famous Russian team which played many teams from the NHL and includes hockey greats such as Igor Larionov and Viachelsav Fetisov who won Stanley Cups with Detroit in the 1990's after the fall of the Soviet Union. In the office on Thursday I met Andrey and we discussed hockey and checked the schedule and noticed we could go to this game on Friday. Andrey bought a few tickets Friday and invited another friend of his in the office, Sergey.

Andrey got us great tickets right on the glass behind the CSKA bench (seats are elevated for good viewing, 500 roubles each or approximately $20) and it was a great game. I'm not sure of the exact number of seats, but I would estimate about 5,000 as it was roughly the same size of the Erie Otters arena (I'll go to a hockey game anywhere). Unfortunately there were no nachos or beer at the game, and not even Vodka! The fans were very passionate throughout the game as there were sections for each set of fans - it almost felt like college football with the cheering and enthusiasm of the crowd, truly an awesome experience.

The level of hockey was impressive - I would put it between NHL and college hockey as there was a very good skill level but the game was not extremely physical. It was exciting to watch the game on the big sheet of ice and it allowed for a lot of scoring. CSKA held a 5-3 lead late in the third period but after some suspect calls by the officials in favor of CSKA the Spartak fans took exception and began throwing coins onto the ice which took some time to clean up - the officials were picking them up one at a time and people continued to throw them. After resuming play Spartak scored a couple of goals to tie it up and force overtime, and then a shoot-out. Spartak won 3-2 as it went to four shooters each but it was an awesome game to go to. Hopefully I'll be going to more in the future.

Me, Sergey and Andrey

The Russian national anthem before the game. Note that the flag being held by the girls in the center of the ice is that of the home team, Spartac, and not the Russian flag which was up in the rafters. Spartak was red, CSKA white.

Spartak skating around during warmups while the CSKA fans display their banners, apparently this soldier is killing a pig. I have no idea what this really means, but it is not good for the Spartak team which is skating around in front of it.

CSKA celebrating a goal, the CSKA fans in the background going crazy. Too bad I couldn't zoom in enough on the Spartak fans on the other side of the arena who were chanting "F*!& You CSKA" and showing their middle fingers in unison.
I had no choice but to root for CSKA as PwC sponsors them.

As you can see below, sportsmanship isn't just for the playoffs in Russia. Good game everyone!