Annual Russian Embassy Game, Jan 27th 2007
Beijing International Ice Hockey

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Only Gervais Lavoie can remember the beginnings of this game - way back in the 1970's. Canada Vs. The Soviet Union. Embassies playing for pride! Starting in the 1990's, this developed into a more "friendly" format - gone were the guards with the AK-47's, but we do still have some pretty stiff security to go through to play the game. 

The Russian Embassy is the largest embassy in the world - 30+ hectares. Stalin gave 30 back to Mao when they liked each other in the 1950's, but it is still huge! Parks, and this fantastic lake, there they put boards up and play hockey. 

The day starts with a children's figure skating show, and an ice festival. Announcers and Russian music play through the PA system. Hundreds of Russians watch the event. The day culminates with a children's hockey game, then the men!

The hockey opening ceremony starts with  the breaking of bread, then is followed by the Canadian and then Russian anthems. Even at this level, playing for your country on foreign soil is emotional.  

This year, it was determined that there would not be the free flowing vodka as in years past. The lack of pre-game beverages certainly played in the favour of the Canadians, who dominated from the drop of the puck. Team Russia battled back, but the game was never in doubt.