TORONTO — Sweden, Germany and Norway made it to North America for their warmup games ahead of the world junior hockey championship — but some of their equipment did not.
The three teams were left scrambling Monday as some of their bags were caught up in the travel chaos plaguing Europe after days of severe winter weather.
The Swedes and Germans both went shopping for some replacement equipment so they could practise ahead of their exhibition games this week, while the Norweigians decided to wait for their bags to arrive, according to officials from Hockey Canada and USA Hockey. All three teams are expected to be ready for exhibition games this week.
On Tuesday, Sweden plays Canada in Toronto while Norway takes on Slovakia in Jamestown, N.Y. The Germans play the Czech Republic on Wednesday in Rochester, N.Y.
The Swedes were missing 10 bags when they arrived in Toronto, but Hockey Canada stepped in to help, setting up an account for them at a local store.
Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior director of national teams, said the Swedes planned to practise Monday once they had loaded up on new gear and that Tuesday night’s game was expected to proceed as scheduled.
He added that the Swedes were hopeful of getting their own equipment in time for the friendly, but they will be fine with the new stuff if not. Salmond said payment for the new gear would be sorted out later between Hockey Canada, Sweden and Bauer Hockey.
Canada’s game Monday night against Switzerland in Oshawa, Ont., was not affected. On Thursday in Kitchener, Ont., the Canadians play Finland, which had to make several extra stops to reach Toronto.
USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer wasn’t sure how many bags the Germans and Norweigians were missing, but said their games would proceed as planned. He added that Norway was willing to play its game a few men short if the equipment isn’t delivered in time.
The world junior tournament begins Boxing Day in Buffalo, N.Y.