The Winter Olympics: Ice Hockey

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Ice hockey has been a part of the Winter Olympics since the beginning. In fact, it was part of the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Teams of six make up a hockey team. Two teams face off on an ice rink, with the goal to get a hockey puck (a disc made of rubber) into a goal, using wooden sticks. The players wear skates and special padded uniforms. Each team defends a goal and tries to score on the other team. Hockey matches last a certain amount of time, usually three 20-minute periods; at the end of the match, whichever team has scored the most goals wins.

During the Olympics, hockey teams take part in a tournament. Initial matches set the final lineup, and then a single-elimination tournament determines the winner.

Ice Hockey Where: Torino When: February 12–26

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