Hockey Nights in Slovakia

Today’s Blog will cover our 4 days with Gordie and Karlee here in Presov Slovakia. Again we were very lucky and had perfect weather in this nice little city of about 90,000 people. Presov pronounced “Pray-show”. Sits in the huge rolling foothills of the Tatras mountain range similar to the foothills going to Banff but much bigger. 

After a bit of a gong show with our train we arrived about 2.5 hours late into the city of Kosice where Gordie picked us up at the train station. A short twenty minute trip at about 140 kms per hour (no speed limits ) on the freeway we arrived at their apartment. G and K are lucky as they moved into a new apartment building (very comfortable) a short walk to the downtown area. This the view from their balcony.

On Friday while Gordie got ready for his game with his pregame ritual the two K’s and myself went to the downtown and checked things out. I really liked the city with an assortment of new and old buildings quaint little side streets and alleys where you would find a little coffee shop or restaurant. Like every city we have been to there is always lots and lots of restaurants.

Friday night is hockey night vs. Spisska Nova Ve a rival team so a good crowd of about 4000 were on hand. Presov had a large cheer section with a bunch of drums and a group of fans waving flags and singing songs from the start to the end of the game. The opposition also brought there cheering section which was flanked by a security team so as not to have any brawls at the game. The game ended in a tie and was settled with a shoot out in which Presov lost. The hockey is pretty good being on the big ice surface it’s a different type of game where puck possession and puck movement makes a big difference.

At the end of the game due to the opposing teams rivalry the rink empties out of the home fans and then the opposing fans get escorted out of the rink and onto there busses by a security force you wouldn’t want to mess with. With beer and vodka and whiskey shots for 2€ the crowd really  gets into the game.

With the next game on Sunday  the girls did a bit of shopping and I walked around the old city area then we went to the  mountains about 45 minutes away from Presov. We went up to a ski resort area which reminded us of the Panorama, Invermere area. We took a funicular to the top of the mountain area and took in the views. Then off for supper in Proprad on the way back home, the food we have had has been excellent. 

Sunday being a game day we left Gordie to his game day routine and the girls shop at a very nice new mall and I rented a scooter and rode around the city. We then rented some scooters again and went to the rink for the game against Proprad which drew a smaller crowd due to Presov being in the Slovakian handball finals.  Gordie scored on a power play goal in the first and again it was a close game with Presov winning in overtime 3-2. Typical of a lot Slovakian  hockey there is lots of politics with the owner, managers and coaches, but with the language barrier it gets to be a bit unnerving for those players that can’t speak the language. Gordie enjoys playing there and the experience he’s getting but I think he misses the team atmosphere he has the past years with the U of S and Kelowna. Karlee is doing a bit of tutoring and will be doing some online teaching, she is bored as she is the only girl friend or wife among the 6 imports from North America. 

I really liked Presov with its mix of old and new but as I write this on the train to Budapest we will get back into see more historic sites and becoming tourists again.