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 鈥� the noise level and excitement of fans 鈥� 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.
鈥淭hese players have a lot to prove,鈥� 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.
鈥淵ou get to see the best up and comers,鈥� said Michael Blum. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fast, hard-hitting hockey. I like it even better than the NHL.鈥�
That鈥檚 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.
鈥渟a国际传媒 used to dominate every year, but there鈥檚 a lot more parity now,鈥� 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.
鈥淗ockey in Slovakia is equal to soccer,鈥� explained Peter Miciak, who has Slovakian ancestry and came from Vancouver with five friends clad in Slovakia jerseys.
Many weren鈥檛 pleased when the draw directed Slovakia to the Island and not Rogers Arena in Vancouver, where host sa国际传媒 is also based for Pool A play.
鈥淪ome of the guys weren鈥檛 happy when it was announced Slovakia would play in Victoria,鈥� said Miciak, with a chuckle.
But they have made the best of it 鈥� there鈥檚 nothing like a road trip for sports fans.
Most of the fans on opening day at Memorial Centre were in sa国际传媒 jerseys and seemed homegrown, however. Those neutrals were decidedly pro-Slovakian, rooting for the underdogs.
Traditional hockey powers Finland and Sweden played in Wednesday鈥檚 late Pool B game.
The world juniors continue today at the Memorial Centre with games at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.
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