Taipei, Jan. 7 (CNA) Four teams of senior ice hockey fanatics from U.S., Japan and Taiwan meet in 2006 Taipei Cup Oldtimer's Ice Hockey from Jan. 7-8, as the opening game started at Taipei Arena Saturday.
Black Bears from Maine, U.S.A., Van Star A and B Teams from Japan and the host Snowman enter the first ever senior ice hockey tournament in Taiwan, which will play a single round robin schedule to determine the winner.
"This is the first senior ice hockey tournament organized in Taiwan, a country that is just starting to learn about the game. Ice Hockey is a sport that once you play, you will fall in love with it, " said Lee Kwan-hwai, the secretary-general of Chinese Taipei Ice Hockey Federation.
Kuniharu Kitagawa, 57, of Japan Van Star B Team dressed in suit and sang the national anthems of three participating countries. Kitagawa's multi-language skill was the highlight of the opening ceremony and drew the standing ovation from about 200 fans.
There's no question the love of ice hockey for Black Bear players, who spent 28 hours to fly to Taiwan for three games. "It is the best atmosphere I have ever had... even better than when we played with Van Star in Tokyo, " said Douglas Duty, 51, of the Maine team as the opening game started.
Short-handed Black Bear was quick in recruiting local foreigners. "My husband was so excited to know there would be a ice hockey tournament in Taipei and joined the team, " said Laureen Rivet, who came from Canada and has been living in Taiwan for two years.
Players who are 35-years-old and above are allowed to enter the tournament.