It's a 4-hour scenic drive from Milan to Davos (or to Zurich, where the Dynamo play their games) through the Alps, with the train taking slightly shorter. Double that and you can even make it up to gaze at exquisite Swiss scenes from Rome.
Ardent Italian hockey fans already had a reason to make the journey for the last 3 seasons, with arguably their finest prospect ever suiting up for the Dynamo, making it to the Continental Cup finals in S96. Now Antonia Bucatini has been joined by Gianfranco Del Rocco in an off-season trade, giving Davos the top 2 draftees from the S93 draft, and Italian fans even more reason to make the fairly short trip across the border.
Although winter sports do have popularity and notable success in northern Italy, hockey is still struggling to gain a foothold in the nation's psyche. One of the leading VHL teams being based in Switzerland and now being led by probably the best two Italian players in VHL history, is possibly the best chance of winning over a new generation of fans. While rumours of off-ice relationships continue to be unconfirmed, Bucatini and Del Rocco now have a chance to leaving a lasting legacy on hockey in Italy.
Expectations are high now though, in Davos too where one trip to the finals is never considered enough. Will it be a match made in heaven or is it too good to be true? The Italians heading across the Alps are hoping for something special.