To get to the Ice Palace, you need to go to the Prospekt Bolshevikov metro station (orange line), after which, after leaving the metro, turn right on Prospekt Pyatiletok. In fact, having already left the subway, the arena is in full view, and it is simply unrealistic to go wrong.
There were only 15 minutes left before the match started, and considering the huge flow of fans, I was quite sure that it wouldn’t be possible to get to the arena in time.
And when I finally arrived at the “snakes” turnstile, even my last hopes of being in time for the starting face-off evaporated.
However, what was my surprise when all that endless stream of people that were in front of me dissipated in just five minutes, and I didn’t even notice how I ended up near the metal detectors. And here we must pay tribute to the organization and work of the personnel at the checkpoint – the guys work clearly, quickly, without unnecessary movements. It would be nice if they organized a master class for their much less efficient colleagues from the Gazprom Arena.
As a result, I had time not only to sit in my sector, but to take photos of the interior premises of the Ice Palace, which have everything necessary for comfortable pastime before, as well as during breaks matches. They are above all catering outlets and paraphernalia shops.
As well as beauties from the support group, offering fans to participate in various promotions.
Separately, it is worth noting the transition to the arena. It is not a standard door, as in the vast majority of similar complexes, but a curtain that you just have to pull aside, like at home.
The atmosphere in the arena, I immediately note, is the best anywhere in the KHL, among the places I have already managed to visit. And I was in the arenas of the capital, in Podolsk, Balashikha, Mytishchi, Magnitogorsk and Ufa (but not in Salavat, but at the 2013 World Junior Championship). There was “nowhere to fall” in the stands, and absolutely every fan – male and female, child and adult was fully involved in what was happening on the ice. Clearly the first game of the season and people just missed the hockey, but still, in terms of the level of gameplay involvement and support, St. last year’s game with a rival as iconic as “Ak Bars” there were plenty of empty seats in the arena, and the atmosphere is much more intimate.
The special effects at Ice Palace during the presentation of the host team, in general, do not stand out from other KHL arenas. A large luminous star, symbol of all the teams of the army, was installed at the place where the players left the room under the bleachers.
Roman Rotenberg, with his updated coaching staff, which included the likes of Sergei Zubov and Evgeny Koreshkov, gives his team final instructions before the start of the puck.
The game itself is very dramatic. In the first half, the Army team converted a 5-3 majority – Artyom Fedorov scored.
After that, the teams hid for almost the entire game, and only six minutes before the end of the third period, Alexander Volkov, it seems, dropped all questions about the winner – 2-0 in favor of SKA. However, Viktor Kozlov’s guys absolutely did not agree with this. Literally a minute later, Sergei Shmelev played a puck with a penny power throw. And a minute and eight seconds before the final siren, having removed the goalkeeper, the residents of Ufa were able to perform a small miracle – the newcomer of “Salavat” Alexander Khmelevsky scored, which frankly did not hold the whole game. Nevertheless, it was his puck that helped the Ufa club grab a point in a seemingly hopeless situation.
But in extra time, luck smiled on the hosts. A very powerful match had a newly created soldier Alexander Nikishin, who left Spartak. First, he neutralized the opponent’s one-on-one, and immediately after that Zhafyarov went on a date with Kareev, scoring the winning goal.
Roman Rotenberg and the crowded ice rejoice in their team’s victory. Over 12,000 people attended SKA’s opening game in the 2022–23 season.
SKA started with a tough win, and the fans saw a cool match between two league heavyweights, who after the legionnaires left, may have become weaker, but certainly haven’t forgotten how to play the game. hockey.
Hockey in St. Petersburg is energy, it’s vacation. This city knows how to put on a show and I recommend all hockey fans to visit it. Regardless of club addictions, but because of the love of sport.
The next photo report will be in the middle of Cherepovets autumn.
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Pavel Novikov, Athletistic
Source: Sport
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
