Canceled Israeli Hockey Game
- Barzel Media
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Why was the Israeli Ice hockey Game Canceled less than 24 hours before the event?
Our highly anticipated JLM vs. TLV game at UBS Arena, originally slated for February 22nd, was fully prepared. Months of planning, logistics for the run of show, marketing, partner arrangements, celebrity appearances, and team and equipment logistics were all in place.
However, despite our extensive preparation—and contrary to any comical claims—there was one thing we simply could not foresee or control: the weather.
Just 30 hours before the scheduled puck drop, while enjoying Shabbat Lunch in Great Neck, our players began receiving notifications that the weather situation was rapidly deteriorating. We immediately faced difficult questions: Should we cancel, postpone, or change the game time?
The final, decisive blow came when the government declared a state of emergency. This declaration legally required us to cancel the event, relieving us of the agonizing decision to keep the game on.
The initial disappointment quickly turned into action. What was our next move? When could we reschedule?
As Shabbat ended, we gathered at Abraham Hamra’s home for a wonderful dinner and Havdalah ceremony. Meanwhile, the league owners worked diligently behind the scenes with UBS Arena and Ticketmaster to determine the best course of action.
It was ultimately decided to move the game to May 17th, 2026. Though we were in a strange state of shock, we still managed to enjoy the evening together, with drinks, friends, families, and community members offering the support we needed.
Unfortunately, close to $100,000 was lost on unrecoverable logistics costs. Our immediate goal now is to sell out the Arena for the rescheduled date. We urge everyone in the community to come together and show your support. Please invite your friends and help us make this the biggest event ever for Israeli Sports!
The next morning, Sunday at 8:10 am, we woke up early to watch the men's gold medal ice hockey game—that was quite an experience! Read on for the next article.
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