Sometimes even the best of intentions can lead to problems. Six World Junior Hockey teams - Finland, Sweden, Russia, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia - were forced to wait at the airport because planes sent to pick them up by Hockey Canada weren't big enough for all the players, staff and equipment.
According to Iltalehti.fi, Finland, Sweden and Russia were waiting in Helsinki for a new charter aircraft to arrive from Polish company Enterair. According to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, the aircraft has since arrived and the teams are in the air. A separate cargo plane is taking the equipment.
Finnish GM Kimmo Oikarinen seemed frustrated with the issue.
"This was predictable," he said. "Two months ago I told them the exact amount of equipment Finland would need to take. I have been in constant contact there and ask that they understand that the aircraft will not be enough for three teams and goods."
According to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are in a similar situation and are waiting for another plane to arrive. It appears the teams refused to fly with equipment being in the cabins of the aircrafts along with players and staff due to safety issues.
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