Last Saturday, Canada faced off against the U.S. for the first match of the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. But despite the exciting match between the two teams, many hockey fans in the stands were disappointed due to an alcohol ban enforced by Finland, the current host of the tournament.
According to The Globe and Mail, Finland enacted a ban on alcoholic beverages for the tournament due to concerns about public safety. Although the law is also meant to curb spectators' aggressive behavior due to intoxication, the rule was also implemented to prevent people from slipping and injuring themselves inside the arena due to spilled beer.
During the day of the match, fans entering the Helsinki Ice Hall were greeted by signs posted in different parts of the arena. The signs, which were photographed by spectator Michael Traikos and posted on his Twitter account, indicate that it is prohibited to bring alcoholic drinks in the stands or even in the staircases of the building.
Despite the ruling, concession stands within the arena are still allowed to sell beer to fans. However, they are only allowed to drink the beverages within the concourse of the stadium. They cannot take the drinks with them to the stands or in the stairs.
Upon learning about the law, a lot of fans felt disappointed. For many of them, drinking alcohol while enjoying an international hockey event go hand-in-hand.
"It's unfortunate, but it's a Canadian thing," spectator Jerry Fortier said according to The Globe and Mail. "We do bring out beers into the stands and, you know, Canada rocks."
As for last Saturday's event for the Group A division, team U.S.A, which was regarded as the underdog of the event dominated the Canadian hockey team and ended the game with a final score of 4-2, according to Bleacher Report. Switzerland and Sweden also faced off on that day with the latter securing an 8-3 win.
