http://www.icerink.co.za/images/IceHockey-official.jpg

Tickets available from Computicket.

The venue:

http://www.bluelightdistrict.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/grandwest-city-lodge-104.jpg

http://www.bluelightdistrict.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/grandwest-city-lodge-037.jpg

This must go down as the weirdest event for SA to be hosting! And how is it a World Champs when there are none of the good teams involved?? Its more like a charity event

How's it weird? South Africa's becoming increasingly involved in ice-related sports. The Western Province has 4 ice hockey clubs, and the Ice Station has hosted numerous other events in the past. You make it sound like diversity is a bad thing!

Anyway, there are four divisions, each of which consist of different countries, and each division's Championship is being hosted in a different city. Cape Town is hosting Division III. This is an International Ice Hockey Federation event.

So technically this is the warm countries division

You've got the likes of Australia, New Zealand and Mexico in other groups, so I'd hardly say that ;)

Division III as in Tier 3 nations.

Dysan, ...honestly?

Got my tickets today! Stoked.

So the tournament is over and Israel got Gold. South Africa got Silver. Both teams have now been promoted to Division II. Excellent when you consider the fact that South African ice hockey is basically confined to Western Province/Gauteng!

Some photos from today's Turkey vs. Israel match:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5628429235_da7037582f_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5629012114_846237b39b_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5629010788_25b58332b3_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5629009660_9dabb78d17_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5629008326_325cee8cfc_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5628423265_b9008335e4_z.jpg

Very interesting to see hockey in SA. Nice pix.

Thanks!

South Africa's actually been a member of the IIHF since 1938. Back in the 70's Johannesburg hosted the world's top teams in its own tournament :) Namibia's also quite heavily involved in ice hockey, and Morocco joined the IIHF last year to be the third African member.