The rinks in Olympic ice hockey are as large as NHL arenas, and the athletes are professionals who compete with players from around the world. But if you go back to 1920, when the sport made its Olympic debut at Antwerp’s summer Games, the competition was played on outdoor rinks and included amateur players. The game found its true home four years later at Chamonix and the Olympic Winter Games. From then on, men’s and women’s ice hockey has been an integral part of the Olympics.
The tournament starts with a round-robin series of games within groups, followed by the medal round. Teams are awarded medals based on the points they earn in that round. The top three teams in each group advance to the semifinals, while the bottom team plays for bronze.
In 1994, the Miracle on Ice captivated the world. With just over two minutes left in the third period, the U.S. trailed the Soviet Union 3-2 at the Big Hat arena. But the Americans pulled out a stunning victory, and the American team went on to win gold with a record of seven wins and one tie.
The rules of the Olympic game differ from those of the NHL, for example, there is no body checking (though some NHL players have participated in the Olympic tournament). Also, the goal crease is a trapezoid that extends across the ice, while the blue lines that mark off the defensive zone are 60 feet (18 meters) out from the goal line. Also, in the Olympic tournament, if no team scores in overtime, there is a shootout.