Inside the Olympic Hockey Arena Chaos: Secrets and Scandals You Won’t Believe
The international game is traditionally different from the NHL game—there’s less hitting, and more speed and skill. Rosters are usually constructed with this in mind, with smaller, speedier skaters getting the nod over more physical players. The smaller Milan ice will absolutely influence both roster construction, and how the games are played and officiated. Team USA GM Bill Guerin is already talking about bringing the big boys.
“I just don’t think you can put into words how tight those games were [at the 4 Nations Face-Off, which used NHL rinks],” Guerin said. “How little room there was to operate. And how well these elite players can check. In NHL games, they’re not always counted on to do that, but when they are, they can. And not everybody can play in those situations. No matter what their offensive gifts are, if you can’t check, it’s probably not the tournament for you.”
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