Overview
- IOC sports director Pierre Ducrey said there is absolutely no chance the Milan arena will miss the start, with construction set to finish three days before the women's tournament begins on February 5.
- Italian league championship and cup matches in Milan this weekend are serving as test events for the new rink.
- The Athletic reported the first game at the arena was halted in the opening period after a hole appeared in the ice in front of a goal.
- Associated Press previously reported construction delays that moved planned youth world championship games, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman warned players could decline to compete on untested ice.
- ESPN reported players were told to expect locker rooms in mobile trailers, temporary mats to reach the rink, and potential training schedule changes tied to ice conditions.