The game of ice hockey first appeared at the Olympic Games in 1920, and it quickly became a major attraction. Teams from Canada dominated for most of the first three decades, but the Soviet Union overtook them in 1956. By the 1980 Lake Placid Games, the American team known as the “Miracle on Ice” had pulled off the biggest upset in the history of Olympic hockey and left a story that has lived on ever since.
The men’s tournament starts with a round-robin within each group, then the top two teams in each go to the quarterfinals where they play each other and the second best ranked team that didn’t win its group. The winners advance to the semifinals and the losers compete for the bronze medal. There are no ties in Olympic hockey, so one loss ends a country’s chances for a gold medal.
Rules
The most famous aspect of Olympic ice hockey is the penalty shot. If the puck crosses the goal line before the goalie is in the crease, it’s a penalty, and the attacking player must leave the crease.
Aside from that, the rules are much like those of the regular NHL game. Fighting is not allowed, but the game is played with intensity, and physical contact can occur. Referees are present at all times, and if a fight occurs, players may be penalized or even ejected from the game.