The world’s best NHL players take their talents to the Olympic ice in a tournament unlike any other. But they must also adapt to the unique rhythms and style of a game that can be played on smaller rinks and with different rules than those of the National Hockey League.
In the early years of the Olympics, teams from Canada dominated the men’s hockey tournament, winning six gold medals from 1920 to 1952. But the Soviet Union first competed in 1956, and quickly overtook Canada as the dominant international team. From 1956 to 1991, the Soviets won nine straight Olympic gold medals. In the 1990s, new story lines emerged: Sweden clinched its first gold medal in a shootout classic against Canada; Dominik Hasek led the Czech Republic (now Czechia) to a gold with his imperious goaltending; and the U.S. forged the “Miracle on Ice” in its 4-3 semifinal victory over the Soviets that lived on in sports mythology forever.
A key difference between NHL and Olympic ice hockey is that, during an Olympic match, players may not intentionally commit any illegal actions such as diving or fighting. Players who do so will be penalized and, in extreme cases, ejected from the game.
Mike Eruzione, then playing for the Minnesota North Stars, sent a long slap shot past Soviet goalie Vladislav Tretiak to tie the game with ten minutes left in the third period. Amid a crowd of jubilation, the U.S. won the overtime period, and the Miracle on Ice was born.