The game of ice hockey has been an Olympic event since 1920. It was a men’s tournament until 1998 when the women’s game made its debut in the Olympics.
The current Olympic tournament for men features 12 teams placed into three groups with each team playing the other teams in their group twice. There are no ties during group play and the top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals. The winner of each round then moves to the semifinals and if still tied, there will be a 10-minute overtime period of 3-on-3 play. If the game is still tied after that, the game will move to a shootout.
Mike Eruzione’s game-winning goal in the Miracle on Ice against the Soviet Union in the semifinal of the 1980 Olympic Games at Lake Placid captivated a nation and changed the way the sport was played. Eruzione’s wrist shot popped up over the shoulder of goalie Vladislav Tretiak.
Historically, NHL players competed in the Olympics but the league decided not to allow its players to participate in PyeongChang. However, players from the KHL and SHL — which both allow their athletes to play in the Olympics — will be joining the field.
The Olympic ice surface is 197 feet long by 98.5 feet wide. The center red line divides the rink in half and the attacking team is offside when its skates completely pass through the leading edge of the blue line involved in the play.