Tinker's photos

During the breaks, kids come out and remove the snow from the ice. Sort of like ball boys but on ice. It's not really snow, it's shaved ice from the blades, but it makes it harder to skate on. A big machine also came out to smooth the ice completely before the third period. (Maybe also in the second period but we were out getting snacks)

Another lost or broken stick on the ice, waiting to be removed.

Another lost or broken stick on the ice, waiting to be removed.

My knäckepizza. One of the traditional snacks to eat in Leksand is Knäckepizza, which is pizza made on a crispbread base. Wasabröd is the Swedish manufacturer of crispbread that you buy around the world and the factory is not far from Leksand. They are one of the major sponsors of ice hockey here, and they created this snack. It was delicious

Sweets sold in packs that look like ice hockey pucks

I really liked watching ice hockey. It's fast and furious, and the rink is small enough for you to be able to see it all easily (as opposed to footy which is hard to see from the other end). There was a big screen showing it closer up, but I didn't bother. I was expecting more violence, but they don't do that so much in Sweden, neither on the rink nor with the spectators.

Snack bar prices at the stadium. Divide by ten for prices in euros

Ice hockey is played in three periods of twenty minutes. We went down to get snacks in the first break. One of the traditional snacks to eat in Leksand is Knäckepizza, which is pizza made on a crispbread base. Wasabröd is the Swedish manufacturer of crispbread that you buy around the world and the factory is not far from Leksand. They are one of the major sponsors of ice hockey here, and they created this snack. It was delicious

I was surprised how often the ice hockey sticks broke. Four broke in the first half hour. And then they just drop them, grab a new one and continue! Sometimes the broken sticks lay on the ice for quite a while, with players skating around them. It's the referees' job to remove them, as this one is doing

The Mora team waiting on the side. They change players often and although there is a gate, most just jumped over the fence.

The Leksand team waiting on the side. They change players often and although there is a gate, most just jumped over the fence.

my ticket

start of the match, with the teams coming out onto the ice. There was singing pretty much throughout the match

Just before the teams came onto the ice, the LIF fans unfurled this banner. They make one for each match I think. Puts the AFL fan banners to shame!

There were ads painted into the ice and also projected onto the ice, This was the Leksand team's logo

The LIF fans are famous as a really enthusiastic bunch who focus on the positive. I really liked the many songs they sang along with throughout the match

The LIF fans are famous as a really enthusiastic bunch who focus on the positive. I really liked the many songs they sang along with throughout the match

The LIF fans are famous as a really enthusiastic bunch who focus on the positive. I really liked the many songs they sang along with throughout the match