Olympic ice hockey venues may not be finished in time for games

IIHF president says seating at arenas may be reduced

NHL concerned about ice quality and dimensions

The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation said parts of the main hockey rink for the Milan Cortina Olympics might not be fully finished on time, but the playing surface, practice facilities and dressing rooms will be ready when the puck drops for the men’s event on 11 February.

“We can be confident on that,” IIHF President Luc Tardif told reporters Monday at the world junior championship. “You’re not going to go to Milano for nothing.”

Tardif added that the main arena will not be “exactly” what he expected in terms of capacity, with the number of seats set at 11,800.