From its origins on frozen lakes to a fixture in the Olympic programme at Chamonix 1924, ice hockey has become a global spectacle that attracts millions of fans. From amateur players in outdoor rinks to professional stars filling state-of-the-art arenas, Olympic ice hockey is an event like no other in sports. It’s a unique atmosphere that has helped make the tournament one of the most prestigious events in sports. And it’s a tradition that will return to Milano Cortina 2026 as NHL players once again lace up their skates for the Olympics.
A game-winning goal during the first period of a men’s Olympic ice hockey match is worth three points, while an overtime or shootout win earns two and a regulation loss receives zero. In addition, if the puck hits an opponent in the back of the opposing team’s net and crosses the goal line, it is called “icing” and results in a face-off in the attacking team’s end zone.
The shootout has long been a controversial mechanism for determining a winner in games that remain tied after the mandatory 10-minute sudden death overtime period. But it has proved a valuable tool for awarding the gold medal in Olympic men’s ice hockey.