A Kazakh fan cheers on the country's women's hockey team at the Asian Winter Games in Astana. (Liu Jin/AFP/Getty Images)

There is so much that we in Canada (generally) don't know about Kazakhstan, the host country for the 2011 Asian Winter Games, which opened over the weekend.

For one, horse meat is a specialty here — and it's delicious! Also, snow leopards are extremely popular and meaningful in this country. The president named the animal the symbol for Kazakhstan's development up until 2030 because of its peaceful yet powerful presence.

The third thing that has stood out fo me: the Kazakh people are very fond of hockey.

Their national team, ranked 17th in the world, is favoured to win gold at the Asian Winter Games. Perhaps Kazakhstan's status as a regional hockey power shouldn't be surprising considering its geography: the country is located just below Russia and, while it borders hockey-indifferent China to the East, its capital city (Astana) is on the same latitude as Calgary.

This is a place of very cold temperatures and lots of snow during the winter months. When the river in the middle of the city freezes, the people use it to play hockey and skate. It reminds me of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.

The geography fits the profile of a hockey-loving nation, but considering Kazakhstan's world ranking I was doubtful that the people would be passionate about the sport. I've heard that a visit to the rink during a Barys Astana Kontinental Hockey League game would prove my doubts wrong. According to a colleague who had the pleasure of attending one such match, the atmosphere is amazing: the seats are packed full of singing and drum-banging fans.

The KHL is on hiatus right now for the Asian Games, as well as the KHL all-star game, but if this city gets behind its national team the way it gets behind its KHL team, the national pride will be a treat for everyone there. Well, except maybe for the other teams.

The attendance is expected to be excellent — there were hundreds of people outside the arena trying to get tickets days before the games began.

As they announced each sport at the opening ceremony, hockey received a booming cheer that was by far the loudest of the sports.

But don't worry, my fellow Canucks — Kazakhs recognize Canada's hockey superiority. Each time I'm approached and asked where I come from, my response of "Canada" without fail leads them to say "ahh… hockey!"

Perhaps they are happy to be in the company of someone from a nation that is so passionate about the sport. Or maybe some are a little jealous that we, as a country, got to celebrate the Olympic golden goal.

When you think about it, we are pretty lucky to have one of the top junior and senior national programs in the world.

But Kazakhstan is making waves. The country produced Nik Antropov, a forward with the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, and several Kazakhs make their living playing in the KHL. The men's hockey team competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and just missed out on the 2010 Games.

I get the feeling that winning gold at the Asian Winter Games, on home soil, could just be their "Vancouver."

CBC Sports' Katelyn Peer is in Kazakhstan covering the 2011 Asian Winter Games. Check back regularly to read her dispatches from the event, which runs Jan. 30-Feb. 6.