What size rink are they using during these Olympics?

[LidstromIsASuperhero 29]

Does anyone know if the Olympic hockey games this year will be played on Olympic sized or NHL sized ice surfaces? I remember in the last olympics they used an NHL sized ice surface because it's what the majority of the players used but I haven't heard anything about it yet. This could be an advantage or disadvantage to certain teams. Does anyone have any knowledge or opinions on this?

[Johnny Law 15]

N/A for more tickets

http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/...es_35724uY.html

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

CBC says they will be NHL sized here.

[Shady Ultima 40]

It will be NHL sized, since they're using GM Place. I doubt they'd completely re-do the arena, only to have it then be Olympic size when the Canucks play at home afterwards.

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I'm kind of upset that they are doing it that way too. The size of the rink is part of Olympic Hockey and International Rules...it works out better that way.

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

I'm kind of upset that they are doing it that way too. The size of the rink is part of Olympic Hockey and International Rules...it works out better that way.

yessir.

I guess they havent got anywhere else to play hockey in Vancouver or Area. They should have taken this s*** into consideration when they gave Vancouver the games, this is outragous.

[jeff48109 474]

Does anyone know if the Olympic hockey games this year will be played on Olympic sized or NHL sized ice surfaces? I remember in the last olympics they used an NHL sized ice surface because it's what the majority of the players used but I haven't heard anything about it yet. This could be an advantage or disadvantage to certain teams. Does anyone have any knowledge or opinions on this?

i thought the last olympics used the olympic sized rink?

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I think it was Olympic sized too...the IIHF site doesnt really say, but it points to it being Olympic sized at Salt Lake City and Turin.

Edited November 18, 2009 by Gordie Howe hat trick

[ltgator333 3]

I was under the impression they would be playing IIHF rules except for the NHL sized ice size as well. Hopefully the trapezoid isn't involved! I've not heard of them using non-IIHF sized ice in the Olympics before.

To me I think the whole re-configuring the rink thing is probably too much of a pain in the rear to do, but, isn't it a nice little bonus for teams Canada and USA? The devil's in the details, as usual.

[redwingfan19 293]

I'm kind of upset that they are doing it that way too. The size of the rink is part of Olympic Hockey and International Rules...it works out better that way.

screw that, our turf our rules. All the best players play on NHL sized rinks anyways so it shouldn't be an Issue for them. Not sure about how the IIHF goes about this but think of it as a " Home-field " advantage for the NA playersm on Canada/US

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

Yeah, but I bet it is a real pain in the ass to play IIHF rules on an NHL size rink...

[redwingfan19 293]

Yeah, but I bet it is a real pain in the ass to play IIHF rules on an NHL size rink...

Will it really though? they won't have that stupid trapazoid, no touch icing, no stupid delay of game penalty when you shoot the puck out of the rink in your zone, probably wont see a lot of the phantom hooking and holding calls. I actually think it wouldn't be that hard at all. Either way it should be a blast to watch

[Yzerfan1999 81]

i thought the last olympics used the olympic sized rink?

Yeah I think it was.

I thought it was 2002 that it was NHL sized.

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

Will it really though? they won't have that stupid trapazoid, no touch icing, no stupid delay of game penalty when you shoot the puck out of the rink in your zone, probably wont see a lot of the phantom hooking and holding calls. I actually think it wouldn't be that hard at all. Either way it should be a blast to watch

Yeah, I agree with the trapezoid and the no touch icing, but I think that the IIHF rules are more suited for bigger rinks with longer passes...it will just be a bit weird to see it I think if not a little awkward for the players. At least for the first few games.

[redwingfan19 293]

Yeah, I agree with the trapezoid and the no touch icing, but I think that the IIHF rules are more suited for bigger rinks with longer passes...it will just be a bit weird to see it I think if not a little awkward for the players. At least for the first few games.

yeah I bet it will take some getting used too. We will probably be seeing a lot of " dump and chase " and a lot of the trap lol

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

yeah I bet it will take some getting used too. We will probably be seeing a lot of " dump and chase " and a lot of the trap lol

I think you would be foolish to not play trap if you have a rink that is that much smaller, especially against the Russians this year.

[Blueliner 69]

I thought I heard Ken Daniels say earlier this year when the wings were in Vancouver that they were shuting down GM Place a month before the Olympics to make the ice wider.

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I thought I heard Ken Daniels say earlier this year when the wings were in Vancouver that they were shuting down GM Place a month before the Olympics to make the ice wider.

My link to CBC says they won't be...again, which is unfortunate.

[Kwame_Kilpatrick 0]

iihf rules are much better, the bigger ice is more fun but its just not canadian. im not too worried i just feel bad for teams like switzerland and germany who have lots of players in european leagues and who are improving their hockey every year.

[95MadeMeCry 11]

GM place is not changing for the Olympics. They would never risk losing seats/ticket sales. I live near GM Place - it is not being altered in any way.

[Kwame_Kilpatrick 0]

were you alive in 1994 did you support vancouver

[95MadeMeCry 11]

were you alive in 1994 did you support vancouver

is that in reference to myself........

[CenterIce 83]

As far as I know, if the games are in North American cities they play on NHL sized rinks. If it is outside of North America, it is on Olympic sized rinks.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

yessir.

I guess they havent got anywhere else to play hockey in Vancouver or Area. They should have taken this s*** into consideration when they gave Vancouver the games, this is outragous.

Sure... lets build another spectator stadium for a few hundred million dollars intended only for the olympics.... or we could use GM place. Still outrageous?

Edited November 19, 2009 by CaliWingsNut

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

Sure... lets build another spectator stadium for a few hundred million dollars intended only for the olympics.... or we could use GM place. Still outrageous?

yep.

pretty sure it wouldnt cost hundreds of millions.

Edited November 19, 2009 by ZetterbergFourty