Overview
- League and union issued a joint statement calling the weekend trials a good run-through and said they will continue to consult and oversee remaining work.
- IIHF president Luc Tardif said there is no reason NHL players will not come, as IOC officials praised rapid progress at the Santagiulia arena.
- A small hole paused Friday’s inaugural game, then six subsequent matches ran more smoothly with officials reporting improved ice performance.
- Key areas remain unfinished, including locker rooms, hospitality and media spaces, and sellable capacity has been set at about 11,800 with temporary operations.
- The rink is a few feet shorter than NHL regulation but meets IIHF specifications, with NHL ice specialists including Don Moffatt assisting; women’s play starts Feb. 5 and the men’s tournament begins Feb. 11.