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The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will take place from 6-22 February, with ice hockey matches split between the new Santagiulia Arena and the existing Milano Rho Arena.<\/p>\n
The rink in Milan, approved by the IIHF, is shorter than the minimum requirement in the NHL, leading to suggestions there could be an increase in high-speed collisions.<\/p>\n
During the test event, there was a short delay while a small hole in the ice had to be repaired on Friday before the other matches took place without incident.<\/p>\n
IIHF president Luc Tardif said “the puck was sliding and not bumping” and believes “there is no reason that the NHL will not come”.<\/p>\n
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters: “There are still challenges because the building is still under construction and the ice is new.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been assured that, or we expect, that everything that needs to be done on a timely basis will get done. <\/p>\n
“But, as you know, it’s not our event. We’re invited guests. We’ve offered to help and consult and advise as they feel they need and would be appropriate because we do have a little bit of expertise in that area.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n