Hockey Night in Iceland.

So today I was an official for two games. In the first, I was a linesman during an Akureyri vs. Bjorninn's 'Baby Bear' squad. It was pretty intense, and I screwed up my first icing, which was frustrating.

The second game though was unforeseen: Orri, the ref in the first game, just didn't feel like being the referee for the women's game that was next. So he asked me to do it...and I was thrilled to pinch-hit for him.

This is Hrund on my right, and Andrei Maur on my left. Hrund is about 18 years old, and it's pretty neat that she can work lines. In the men's game, she got knocked down from behind during a melee at the net, but she is feisty and carried-on, no problem.

Andrei plays for the Vikings...he's about their 2nd best player. Plays for the National team as well, but also likes to do lines. Pretty neat.
After the games, I had some time to explore the barn here in Akureyri. It is such an amazing place--the community literally built it from the ground-up, with volunteer labour. It didn't have a roof until 1999...and is the only hockey rink for 350 km in any direction.

As you can see, it also doubles as a curling surface.

The trophy cabinet has a neat item: a golden Jofa. Apparently, they give it to the leading scorer each year.

This is a picture from the 80's, when pro hockey games in Iceland were played outside. Incredible. The score-board is also the concession in this era; they sell two items: coffee and hot-dogs, of course.

These are the first Kronur I've ever made: 13,000 kr.