Blue and yellow covered the crowd at the Canada Life Center as thousands of fans came together for a game University of Manitoba Bisons and the Ukrainian men’s national team. It was a bigger event than hockey alone.
“It’s going to be a great cause for humanitarian aid ukraineit’s a great opportunity for the under-25s to get some experience before the university games,” said fan Taras Luchak. “It’s all good.”
Many Ukrainian players and coaches have temporarily left their families at home while pursuing their hockey dreams in the Hockey Cant Stop Tour.
“It’s definitely tough mentally but we’re trying to stay positive,” said Ukraine forward Hleb Krivoshapkin. “We understand everything that is going on but we are trying to be professional and we understand where we are going.”
This is the first time a team of Ukrainians has traveled to North America together. Playing on the other side of the world means more than just playing another game.
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“It is a very difficult time,” said Ukraine’s head coach Vadim Shkrychuk. “We are here, we are safe.”
Monday’s game began with a formal face-off followed by the hustling Ukrainian male chorus singing both national anthems.
The game served as a fundraiser to support hockey-playing Ukrainians and is uniting fans of both teams.
Fan Marianna Sklepovich said, “It’s heartening to see it become such a success.” “It’s really just lifting your spirit and their spirit.”
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For Ukrainian athletes, as much as playing hockey can serve as an escape, they are still dealing with realities at home.
“A few days ago a missile fell 100 meters from my parents’ house,” said Ukraine goalkeeper Savva Serdyuk. “They’re doing just fine.”
But as long as the Ukrainian team is on the road, they are making their country and Canadians proud.
“We thought we wanted to come out and support Team Ukraine because hockey can’t stop right?” said fan Dan Skorchuk.
The Ukrainians beat the Bison 5–1.
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