Big Ice Challenges

[CaptainYooh]

For reference:

International

Hockey rinks in most of the world follow the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) specifications, which is 61 metres (200 ft) × 30.5 metres (100 ft) with a corner radius of 8.5 metres (28 ft). The distance from the end boards to the nearest goal line is 4 metres (13 ft). The distance from each goal line to the nearest blue line is 17 metres (56 ft). The distance between the two blue lines is also 17 metres (56 ft).[2]

North American

Most North American rinks follow the National Hockey League (NHL) specifications of 61 metres (200 ft) × 26 metres (85 ft) with a corner radius of 8.5 metres (28 ft).[3] The distance from the end boards to the nearest goal line is 3.35 metres (11.0 ft). The NHL attacking zones are expanded, with blue lines 19.5 metres (64 ft) from the goal line and 15.3 metres (50 ft) apart.[4]

Just wanted to discuss the real challenges that the international ice poses to the Canadian and US hockey teams. It's not the length, of course, because the length is practically the same; but the width and the distance from the goal line to the blue line. A lot of game moves (shots, passes, drops, stopping the puck at the blue line etc.) are worked out by the players to almost an automatic level through the thousands of hours spent on ice playing and practicing. I am wondering, how much these ice differences are actually screwing this automatism for the Canadian and American players when they play abroad and how the coaches are adjusting/correcting for them. They can't be ignored these little things, especially at the Olympic level. Are they of enough significance to impact our winning chances?

[BACKCHECK!!!]

The difference I notice most is that the points are much further out to the side on international ice.

If you carry the puck up the boards and cross the blue line, you're at a pretty bad angle to the net, and not really any closer to the net than on NHL ice (you're closer North-South because you're closer to the goal line, but you're further away East-West, because the rink is wider).

[strombad]

From what I've heard through interviews with actual players, the challenges aren't all that severe.

The biggest things seem to be angles for goaltenders and hitting for players. Players need to choose their hits more carefully, because it can really take you out of the play, and goaltenders have to adjust to the size of the ice because the angles are entirely different than NHL size.

I don't think the adjustment is going to be too bad, NHL players seem to do fine over in Europe and these are all incredibly talented hockey players.