It was a special night at the Canada Life Centre on Monday, with a hockey game that took on meaning that went far beyond the score board.
On Monday, the University of Manitoba’s men’s hockey team took on Ukraine’s under-25 national team. More than 7,000 tickets were sold for the special event, with Ukrainian refugees and Canadian newcomers in attendance to cheer on their national team.
Savva Serdiuk, Ukraine’s goaltender, said it’s an honour to represent the country.
“I’m just really thankful to all the countries that are supporting us, especially Canadians because without them we couldn’t be here,” he said.
Monday’s event marked the final game of the Ukrainian team’s ‘Hockey Can’t Stop Tour,’ which has brought them across Western Canada, pitting Ukraine’s team against local university teams.
Oleksandra Slatvytska, executive director of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine, said the tour has given the Ukrainian team an opportunity …