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Period: to
olympic hockey
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after 1972 winter olympics
After winning the gold medal, the Soviets play a team of Canadian NHL stars in an exhibition series several months later. Shocked by the excellence of the Soviet players, the Canadians win the series by the margin of a single goal in the final game. -
1976 winter olympics
Sweeden joins the Canadian boycott, also protesting the use of sham "amateurs" -
1980 winter olympics
The Miracle on Ice becomes one of the defining moments in American sports history. An unheralded Team USA closes the tournament by beating the Soviets 4-3 and Finland 4-2 to win the gold medal. -
1988 winter olympics
As the amateur era draws to a close in most international sports, the olympics are opened to professional hockey players. -
1992 winter olympics
With the USSR having dissolved a few months before, the Soviet Olympic team competes under the banner of the "Commonwealth of Independent States." The hockey team wins its eigth medal since 1956, a final victory in one of the greatest championship runs in any sport. -
1994 winter olympics
In one of the all-time great gold medal games, Sweden defeats Canada in a shootout to become Olympic champions for the first time ever. In celebration, Sweden issues a postage stamp bearing the image of Peter Forsberg's game winning goal. -
1998 winter olympics
Women's ice hockey debuts at the Olympics. The United States wins the inaugural gold medal by defeating Canada.
For the first time ever, the NHL takes an Olympic break, allowng its players to join their national teams. The Czech Republic wins a thrilling playoff round, defeating Canada in a shootout and shutting out Russia 1-0 in the gold medal game. Canada and the United States both finish out of the medals. -
2002 winter olympics
Canada sweeps gold in the men's and women's tournaments, with the United States winning both silver medals. The Canadian men's victory comes 50 years to the day after its last ice hockey gold at the 1952 Winter Games in Oslo, Norway. The NHL continues its agreement to shut down for the Olympics, allowing national teams to use players from NHL rosters. -
2006 winter olympics
In an historic upset, Sweden defeats the USA in the women's semifinal match, and go on to win the silver.
Sweden defeats the arch-rival Finland in the men's gold medal game. -
2010 winter olympics
One of the most dramatic final games in Olympic hockey history sees Canada beat the USA 3-2 in overtime to win the gold on home ice in Vancouver.
