Hockey

Free Hockey Newsletter!
Discuss in my Forum

Olympic Hockey Versus NHL Hockey

There are key differences between the NHL and the Olympic hockey game.

See More About:

The Shootout:

The NHL has adopted the shootout for regular season games only. During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, teams play overtime until a tie-breaking goal is scored.

In the Olympics, tied playoff games are followed by ten minutes of sudden death overtime. If the game remains tied, it is decided by a shootout. An Olympic hockey shootout uses five shooters from each team, as opposed to three each in the NHL.

The Ice Size:

A standard NHL rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, with goal lines 11 feet from the end boards.

The international ice is 210 feet long and 98 feet wide. Goal lines are 13 feet from the end boards. The extra room means international games involve less checking than the NHL. Teams also tend to play a more passive "positional" defense, anticipating plays and forcing attackers away from the goal rather than pursuing the puck carrier.

Goalies with the Puck:

Under new NHL rules, goaltenders cannot handle the puck behind the goal line, except in an area directly behind the net.

Goaltenders can play the puck anywhere behind the net.

Icing:

If an NHL player shoots the puck down the ice from his own half of the center line, an opposing player must touch the puck first before icing is called.

International hockey uses "no touch" icing. The play is whistled down as soon as the puck crosses the goal line.

Penalty Shots:

In the NHL, the player who was the victim of a foul must take the penalty shot, unless he is injured.

When a penalty shot is called during Olympic hockey, any player on the shooting team may be selected to take it.

Fighting

NHL players are penalized five minutes for fighting.

Players fighting in Olympic hockey receive a match penalty and are ejected form the game.

Rules Against Obstruction

Many international tournaments have featured more hooking, holding and interference than is seen in an average NHL game. But the International Ice Hockey Federation says it is impressed by the NHL's new crackdown on obstruction, and says a similar standard of refereeing will be used for the 2006 Olympics.

See Also:

Men's Olympic Hockey Schedule

Women's Olympic Hockey Schedule

Canadian Men's Olympic Roster

American Men's Olympic Roster

Olympic Hockey Essentials