Canada-Russia hockey rivalry to resume in Moscow in May

Moscow kicked off the 100-day countdown to the world hockey championships this week with a ceremonial pickup game in Red Square, part of which has been turned into an outdoor ice rink for the winter.

Moscow and St. Petersburg will host the 2016 IIHFIce HockeyWorld Championship, which begins May 6.

The event will be a chance for Canada and Russian to continue their longstanding rivalry.Canada beatRussia6-1 in the final at last year's championships inPragueand the Russians will be looking to winback the gold.

Some of Russia's greats turned out for the Red Square event, andCBC News caught up with several of them.

"Who will win this year?" we asked hockey legendVladislavTretiak, who currently serves as the president of theRussian Ice Hockey Federation.

"Hockey,"he said, laughing.

"We will like to play Canada-Russia in the final."

We will like to play Canada-Russia in the final.- Vladislav Tretiak, president Russian Ice Hockey Federation

Former Ottawa SenatorAlexei Yashinwas among the players taking partinWednesday night's pickup game.

"I think the whole nation is excited," he said. "Hockey [is]very popular. Alot of fans [are] waiting for Team Russia to be champions again."