Introduction to Ice Hockey

National Federation
Irish Ice Hockey Association,
Sport HQ,
13 Joyce Way,
Parkwest Business Park,
Dublin 12

Tel:  +353-1-6251157
Fax: +353-1-6865213
Email: info@iiha.org
Web: www.iiha.org

Among the team of six players on the ice are one goalkeeper, two defenders, two wings and one centre. Fewer players can be on the ice as a result of penalties: a goalkeeper can be replaced by a skater during a delayed penalty, or at any other time of the game, at the team’s risk.

A regular game consists of three 20-minute periods, with a 15-minute intermission after the first and second periods. Teams change ends for each period. If a tie occurs in a medal-round game in which a winner must be determined, a five-minute sudden-victory overtime period is played. In the gold medal game, a 20-minute sudden-victory period is played subsequent to another 15-minute intermission. In the case of a tie after any sudden-victory period, a game-winning penalty shoot competition takes place to determine the winner.

Canada are the defending champions for both men and women. Surprisingly the United States have not won the men’s tournament since Lake Placid 1980.