This was published 12 years ago
Sochi Winter Sports: Ice Hockey
Favourites:
The Canadian team goes into the Sochi Games as favourites with a number of bookies. But Russia is also a hot tip to capitalise on its home advantage and sneak away with gold.
Deep history
Ice Hockey might seem like a fairly straight forward sport, but the history of this game at the Olympics is fascinating.
Fast fact:
The very first Olympic ice hockey tournament actually pre-dates the Winter Olympics themselves. In 1920, four years before the first Winter Games, the Summer Games in the Belgian city of Antwerp hosted an ice hockey tournament - won by Canada.
Fast fact:
The Canadians absolutely dominated Olympic ice hockey from that very first game until 1952 - they won six of seven gold medals during that time. But come 1956, there was a new top dog in town.
The Cold War:
The former Soviet Union became an Olympic ice hockey powerhouse. Between 1956 and 1988, they walked away with the gold medal seven out of nine times, losing twice to bitter rivals the United States.
Fast fact:
NHL players were unable to play for their country at the Olympics until 1988 due to the amateur nature of the event - both Summer and Winter.
Fast fact:
NHL players started representing their countries in 1988, but the NHL has voiced concern about their players being involved. One of their concerns is about injuries - some teams, like the St Louis Blues, will have up to 10 players out on Olympic duty. A steep Olympic injury toll could decimate an NHL team.
High intensity:
Some fans complain that the intensity and action of Olympic ice hockey doesn't match that of the North American professional league. But there is still plenty of brilliant hockey to be seen - and no shortage of fights, either.
Back on top:
After a long break in the wilderness - 12 gold-less Olympics - the Canadians came back in Salt Lake City, defeating the host nation. And despite not getting a medal in Turin, they are the reigning champs having defeated the US in Vancouver in 2010.
