The 2015 Ice Hockey Classic will have four dates in Australia showing off some of America’s finest talent from the National Hockey League against the Canadian national team.
Two of the four games have already occurred, leaving two dates left for this exhibition tournament that ultimately is raising awareness and funds for STOPCONCUSSIONS Foundation, a not-for-profit concussion and neurotrauma awareness and education platform.
As listed on international ticket reseller Ticketbis.com, tickets for the Classic on June 13 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia are starting from $146.88. And ice hockey tickets are also available for the fourth and final event on June 20 at Perth Arena in Perth which are starting from $139.07, according to.
On June 5, Rod Laver Arena hosted the first event of the four-game set that saw Canada win, 9-6, in a high-scoring affair. After taking a 1-0 early lead, Canada went up, 4-1, into the break. It was 5-3 heading into the third before the USA clawed back within one goal with three minutes remaining. Very late in the game, Canada tacked on some late empty-net goals to create the 9-6 final score.
The USA struck back in Game 2, winning 6-1 at Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia. Current and former NHL players Brent Burns, Zenon Konopka, Keith Primeau and Garnet Exelby took the ice.
With a week in between events, there are multiple efforts to raise money and awareness for the aforementioned STOPCONCUSSIONS Foundation. Along with telethons and open clinics with local AIHL teams, the players and organizers of the events are doing many public appearances to support one of the scariest symptoms in all of sports.
According to STOPCONCUSSIONS.com , “Brain injury is the greatest cause of disability under the age of 44, 10% of all athletes in contact sports suffer a concussion and 19% of these are unreported.”
Although football has made strides in recent history with concussion tests and protocols, other sports are clearly further behind, but awareness around all sports is trending upwards, which is good news for all athletes and their families involved.
This is the fourth edition of the USA vs. Canada Ice Hockey Classic. The USA were victorious in 2014, while Canada won in 2013 and 2011.
