⚔️ Did the Vikings play hockey? Not quite—but kind of. Modern ice hockey was invented in 19th-century Montreal, with the first indoor game played in 1875. However, Vikings played *knattleikr* (literally, "ball game"), a sport mentioned in Icelandic sagas from the 13th and 14th centuries. The game involved teams with captains supposedly competing on frozen surfaces, using sticks or hands to hit a hard ball. Physical contact was encouraged, and penalties—even penalty boxes—were part of the action. Sound familiar? A modern version of knattleikr is now played as a club sport, and a brutal version of the game was recently dramatized in Robert Eggers' 2022 film "The Northman" (pictured). 🏒 Want to celebrate the Nordic region’s deep connection to ice hockey with fellow fans? Tickets are still available for @seattlekraken's Nordic Night on Jan. 23 via the link in our bio. _ Sources: - Katie Rife for @vulture, “That Bloody, Head-bashing Game in The Northman Is Based on a Real Viking Spor...