Fans in the Czech Republic raised Ukrainian flags and chanted in support of that nation at a charity game on Tuesday, with gate proceeds going to the families of Ukrainians who fled to the Czech Republic after Russia invaded.
The O2 Arena was filled with 14,512 fans for the Sparta HC vs Jagr's Knights of Kladno game.
The regular-season game was to be held at the home arena that seats around 5,200 fans. Jagr announced on Facebook last Thursday that he wanted to move the home game to benefit Ukrainian families.
The game was moved to the O2 Arena on Friday.
I am very happy to confirm that everything was a success. We want to sell out the O2 arena. Jagr wrote on Facebook that you should buy a ticket and help the Ukrainian families in the Czech Republic.
The game was moved to O2 Arena and Jagr contacted the NHL. The NHL donated $68,000 in honor of Jagr's jersey number in order to improve the lives of Ukrainians who have been displaced from their homes.
In a video played inside the arena, the NHL commissioner said that they have marveled at your talent, dedication and passion for the game for three decades. We salute your generous heart and commitment to improve the lives of the people who have been displaced from their homes. The National Hockey League is behind you and the Czech fans.
The event had a lot of eye-catching images. The Sparta and Kladno players lined up together rather than on their own blue lines as the Ukrainian anthem was played before the game.
The lower bowl of the arena was turned into a Ukrainian flag with the help of transparent blue and yellow placards.
💙💛 #WeStandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/aPavl8pDSh
— HC Sparta Praha (@HCSpartaPraha) March 8, 2022
Messages from refugees were played during the game.
The words "Rivalita Stranou" were displayed over two Ukrainian flags behind the glass, which was a reminder that greater things were at play than the game itself.
Jagr has played for the last five seasons for the Czech team he owns. He played in the NHL with the Flames. Jagr was third in NHL history with 766 goals, two more than Alex Ovechkin.
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