![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_ayv5OVhI/AAAAAAAACiI/VR4VSiq7cLs/s280/DSCF2278.jpg)
Which way is it? Follow the sign!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_TuYmCs6I/AAAAAAAACeA/XXBwLqL50mg/s280/DSCF2071.jpg)
Here we are, outside the arena. Note the sculpture on the right.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_TwXw607I/AAAAAAAACeE/afFwnKM6raA/s280/DSCF2075.jpg)
This is the shop & ticket office.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_Tye_Qg8I/AAAAAAAACeI/NnDxr4rNVJA/s280/DSCF2076.jpg)
Fixtures high on a billboard round the side.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_Tz52NQTI/AAAAAAAACeM/2GMbKrDrIYM/s280/DSCF2079.jpg)
Not hockey connected, but this caught my eye, on a post by the rink.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_T1SAE86I/AAAAAAAACeQ/G5dGgT9p3xA/s280/DSCF2080.jpg)
The arena map.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_T5RPddPI/AAAAAAAACeY/GFkIBN6Smuk/s280/DSCF2082.jpg)
Back in the evening, for the game.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_ab-WREZI/AAAAAAAAChY/udSpxcHaNtY/s280/DSCF2262.jpg)
This is the sculpture outside.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_T3hcxvoI/AAAAAAAACeU/QfLBsIVk2f4/s280/DSCF2081.jpg)
Outside, pre-match, there are now an array of refreshment stalls.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_aeQCdMSI/AAAAAAAAChc/_S4-hqsuI2Y/s280/DSCF2263.jpg)
Programmes were availabl. Here they are, one draped over every seat. I didn't realise this, & saw a few people reading them in the concourse, once inside. I went on a mad search for them ,eventually seeing one dumped in a bin & fished it out. With hindsight I realised why I got a few strange looks!
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_b92CSrGI/AAAAAAAACkg/b8aLvkMrJiw/s280/DSCF2322.jpg)
Lights down, the teams are coming out!
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_afxCjViI/AAAAAAAAChg/jpmhbawjbz8/s280/DSCF2265.jpg)
That's better. I'm quite high up, but more than happy with my seat.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_aiC5BMhI/AAAAAAAACho/8ILUAu-P-W8/s280/DSCF2266.jpg)
To my left are the 'hardcore' fans behind the goal.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_akqbm8mI/AAAAAAAAChs/U7_XL6NaaFM/s280/DSCF2267.jpg)
Spotlights on ice!
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_amRSZmVI/AAAAAAAAChw/QqxrHUdAveA/s280/DSCF2268.jpg)
The fans behind the goal...note the drums in the centre.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_apo-VMpI/AAAAAAAACh0/eFcubfDjX6Y/s280/DSCF2271.jpg)
Another look over the ice.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_armGq3iI/AAAAAAAACh4/J44ByGh1m8o/s280/DSCF2272.jpg)
This is the main Czech hockey website.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_axA82jGI/AAAAAAAACiE/58S49rGmY64/s280/DSCF2276.jpg)
It's one of the intervals now, & time to do a circuit of the concourse. One of the mascots is here.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_a0_FXRpI/AAAAAAAACiM/FAE-Op3h4dg/s280/DSCF2279.jpg)
Smile please!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_a3Yi6IfI/AAAAAAAACiQ/wB4g-hhptoE/s280/DSCF2280.jpg)
Then he patiently poses for me!
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_a5arY3OI/AAAAAAAACiU/7-qAGGFjLc0/s280/DSCF2282.jpg)
One of their greats on the wall.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_a663TljI/AAAAAAAACiY/nw6qQl2p-aU/s280/DSCF2283.jpg)
Luckily the plaque tells us it's Martin Cech, who sadly died in a car crash, while on their books, in 2007.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_a8UDpSKI/AAAAAAAACic/vMJZX6eYVfc/s280/DSCF2284.jpg)
This was their hockey shop.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_a-TG7a5I/AAAAAAAACig/lfdmtZbTj8Q/s280/DSCF2286.jpg)
A home fan shows off his anti Sparta Praha scarf for me!
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bA4pPk1I/AAAAAAAACik/EJ1ikpCxyBU/s280/DSCF2287.jpg)
Another one enjoys a beer during the break.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bDCmC9QI/AAAAAAAACio/jknzsV7ETp0/s280/DSCF2288.jpg)
The venue is also home to a basketball team.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bG_nXtZI/AAAAAAAACiw/_ubnZ3ABFD8/s280/DSCF2290.jpg)
There are also a series of billboards, recording the rebuilding of the arena in 2001.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bItuCQoI/AAAAAAAACi0/rWDnebByHfg/s280/DSCF2292.jpg)
They continue a fair way along.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_brOtP-TI/AAAAAAAACj4/Dt7ez94VfJQ/s280/DSCF2308.jpg)
This is the last one, which shows the finished article.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bKIRir2I/AAAAAAAACi4/WtN5nQ3opGo/s280/DSCF2293.jpg)
There are several food & drink hatches around the concourse.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bMEicF2I/AAAAAAAACjA/5XfiJUbBCsU/s280/DSCF2294.jpg)
And with it, some specific ice hockey Coca Cola advertising.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bn_kvMrI/AAAAAAAACjw/yOPIG3__TLM/s280/DSCF2306.jpg)
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bp1FGcuI/AAAAAAAACj0/_CdFBPAfudI/s280/DSCF2307.jpg)
There are also several large size hockey photos.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bWksaEaI/AAAAAAAACjU/1wkMM_-cQQY/s280/DSCF2299.jpg)
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bPPnhDUI/AAAAAAAACjE/KPi83YhtI-4/s280/DSCF2295.jpg)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bRVKZqFI/AAAAAAAACjI/ZtspVyqgfTo/s280/DSCF2296.jpg)
Also this, with lots of names on the wall. I'm not sure what this was for though, unfortunately.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bTZEtxEI/AAAAAAAACjM/DMrV8w3h57s/s280/DSCF2297.jpg)
Obviously a great day!
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bYo3I3aI/AAAAAAAACjY/gf1wUz0fNcM/s280/DSCF2300.jpg)
Another bar area.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_ba91_foI/AAAAAAAACjc/lpap5bjlXtU/s280/DSCF2301.jpg)
Either he's changed his shirt, or theres' two of them!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_blbq2mfI/AAAAAAAACjs/XyEFS4qVyMQ/s280/DSCF2305.jpg)
I now dive in toward the far end, to get some shots of the arena, from differing angles.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bdmGoWDI/AAAAAAAACjg/WOjhWEPRoQQ/s280/DSCF2302.jpg)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bgdR_OWI/AAAAAAAACjk/v04y8xbVLNA/s280/DSCF2303.jpg)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bjZT52iI/AAAAAAAACjo/mYtp5E35NuA/s280/DSCF2304.jpg)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_byOr6SsI/AAAAAAAACkE/xGCkQrjK9-I/s280/DSCF2312.jpg)
There are breaks during periods so that these scantilly clad girls can clear the shaved ice in the box. I assume this is done so that adverts can be shown for the live TV coverage.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_btL2Ad8I/AAAAAAAACj8/4sAkxvP_L3U/s280/DSCF2309.jpg)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bzc3HohI/AAAAAAAACkI/pgpqAW0Kif8/s280/DSCF2313.jpg)
Back with the drummers behind the goal.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_bwJ5BcZI/AAAAAAAACkA/b4TqZ2zzZ4Q/s280/DSCF2311.jpg)
And a bit of action on ice.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_b3nmODnI/AAAAAAAACkU/NKQ393BxmvQ/s280/DSCF2318.jpg)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_b5M_W00I/AAAAAAAACkY/z80YnAXcTqo/s280/DSCF2319.jpg)
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_b7_T-7JI/AAAAAAAACkc/gRKCGvpqXVY/s280/DSCF2320.jpg)
Tipsport sponsor the league.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cAObiXTI/AAAAAAAACkk/H4ViRIty3BA/s280/DSCF2323.jpg)
Another look round, inside the arena, during the next interval.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cCdYDqkI/AAAAAAAACko/2iWdFz3i0TM/s280/DSCF2324.jpg)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cE9u3LTI/AAAAAAAACks/-r_Yv9_7X98/s280/DSCF2325.jpg)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cG7dZ7yI/AAAAAAAACkw/A6BA05qH2Q8/s280/DSCF2327.jpg)
Let the last period commence!
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cIktI43I/AAAAAAAACk0/y58yMN8ML-A/s280/DSCF2328.jpg)
Eaton are the team sponsors.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cKnOP_yI/AAAAAAAACk4/Oz7l1D8Wpws/s280/DSCF2329.jpg)
Fight, fight, fight! ;-)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cOPAGFTI/AAAAAAAACk8/2lDF4m-OKwQ/s280/DSCF2330.jpg)
Continental 'seven' on the board.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cRWb7LTI/AAAAAAAAClA/rx1HkIaVQVc/s280/DSCF2331.jpg)
Four official on ice. There's only two, or three, at English games.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cTTctfeI/AAAAAAAAClE/83rzyCSoGUI/s280/DSCF2334.jpg)
Ready to celebrate at the end...
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cV5YC4NI/AAAAAAAAClI/FNzfrSN4BbI/s280/DSCF2335.jpg)
But a bit more hockey first...
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cX2D0P9I/AAAAAAAAClM/1P0ffWjrCvk/s280/DSCF2338.jpg)
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cZc_rGJI/AAAAAAAAClQ/lCdHRlDZ6iQ/s280/DSCF2340.jpg)
And that's it! Game over! A massive score in Czech hockey, the highest I've seen over there.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cbhaCRwI/AAAAAAAAClU/haPbmqCrFQw/s280/DSCF2341.jpg)
Teams line up at the end.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cd_callI/AAAAAAAAClY/VL95ypFCbiI/s280/DSCF2342.jpg)
The traditional post-match handshakes.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cfstrN6I/AAAAAAAAClc/Vkkt6y6R7xs/s280/DSCF2344.jpg)
Then the victorious home side salute their fans.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_chRSFaCI/AAAAAAAAClg/CAB8iohYSg8/s280/DSCF2347.jpg)
Who have stayed back to return the gesture.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_ckRcOmoI/AAAAAAAAClo/HZyRVOmzsSM/s280/DSCF2348.jpg)
Then it's off to the changing rooms.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_cmrojIsI/AAAAAAAACls/P1OxQ_otpQg/s280/DSCF2350.jpg)
And I'm back outside, to queue for some food, before heading back to the train station & my hostel bed in Prague!
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_1SQ4PYUuBUk/TQ_com7qheI/AAAAAAAAClw/9RJsbiCNIPE/s280/DSCF2351.jpg)
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