Men's Ice Hockey Olympics Schedule
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing are just around the corner, and ice hockey enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the men's ice hockey tournament. As one of the most popular sports in the Winter Olympics, men's ice hockey is played by some of the most talented athletes in the world.
If you're a fan of ice hockey or just love watching the Winter Olympics, then you definitely don't want to miss out on the men's ice hockey tournament. Here's everything you need to know about the schedule, including dates, times, and team matchups.
When is the Men's Ice Hockey Tournament at the Olympics?
The men's ice hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will officially begin on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The preliminary round will run from February 9-15, followed by the playoffs from February 16-19, and the medal games on February 20.
There will be a total of 12 teams participating in the men's ice hockey tournament at the Olympics. These teams will be divided into three groups of four teams each, and they will play against each other in a round-robin format during the preliminary round.
What is the Schedule for the Preliminary Round?
The preliminary round of the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics will begin on February 9 and continue until February 15. There will be a total of 18 games played during the preliminary round, with each team playing three games.
Here is the schedule for the preliminary round:
- February 9: Group A – Canada vs. Germany; Group B – United States vs. China
- February 10: Group C – Sweden vs. Czech Republic; Group A – Finland vs. Latvia; Group B – Russia vs. Slovakia
- February 11: Group C – Switzerland vs. Denmark; Group A – Germany vs. United States; Group B – Canada vs. China
- February 12: Group C – Czech Republic vs. Norway; Group A – Latvia vs. Canada; Group B – Slovakia vs. United States
- February 13: Group C – Denmark vs. Sweden; Group A – United States vs. Finland; Group B – China vs. Russia
- February 14: Group C – Norway vs. Switzerland; Group A – Germany vs. Latvia; Group B – Slovakia vs. China
- February 15: Group C – Sweden vs. Czech Republic; Group A – Canada vs. Finland; Group B – Russia vs. United States
Following the completion of the preliminary round, the top four teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.
What is the Schedule for the Playoffs?
The playoffs for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics will run from February 16-19. The eight teams that make it to the playoffs will be competing in a single-elimination tournament, with the winners advancing to the semifinals.
Here is the schedule for the playoffs:
- February 16: Quarterfinals
- February 17: Quarterfinals
- February 18: Semifinals
- February 19: Bronze Medal Game and Gold Medal Game
The quarterfinal matchups will be determined by the final standings from the preliminary round. The top seed from each group will play the fourth seed from a different group, while the second and third seeds will play each other.
Who are the Top Contenders for the Gold Medal?
As always, there are several teams that are considered the top contenders for the gold medal in the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics. These teams include Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, and the United States.
Canada is the most successful team in Olympic ice hockey history, having won the gold medal nine times. Russia (competing as the Unified Team in 1992 and 2018) has won the gold medal eight times, while Sweden has won the gold medal twice. Finland and the United States have both won the gold medal once.
Other teams that could potentially pull off an upset and win the gold medal include the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Germany.
Final Thoughts
The men's ice hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing is shaping up to be an exciting and competitive event. With 12 talented teams from around the world competing for the gold medal, there's sure to be plenty of drama and excitement on the ice.
Whether you're a die-hard ice hockey fan or just love watching the Winter Olympics, be sure to mark your calendar for the men's ice hockey tournament. With so many talented teams and exciting matchups, it's an event you won't want to miss!
