by Beatrix Kiddo

Created on: January 06, 2010

The XXI Vancouver Winter Olympics hockey tournament naturally begins sifting out teams by sets of games until you reach the top three medal winning teams.  The medals are one-gold, one-silver and one-bronze.  But how do the tournaments play out?  Everything you need to know about the Olympic hockey tournament can be found here.  We begin with ranking and qualifications. 

The 2008 IIHF, International Ice Hockey Federation, World Ranking structured the 2010 Olympics assisting on rules, regulations and qualifying procedure.  The qualifying Olympic hockey tournament teams are allowed to consist of 15 and 20 forwards and defense and up to 3 goaltenders. 

Each team player must be a legal citizen of the labeled nation.  However, the love for hockey does not stop five team players for the Philadelphia Flyers who will be playing for other countries as supplied by NHL.com.

The tournament itself begins on February 13, 2010, one day after the XXI Vancouver Winter Olympics gears up.  The women Olympic hockey teams start the hockey games with Sweden vs Switzerland.  And on the 13th the women Canadian team plays Slovakia two hours following game time of the first game.  The women U.S. Olympic team plays on Valentine's Day against China as Finland vs Russia follows three and half hours later on February 14th.  And the cycle begins.

The men Olympic hockey tournament teams begin to play on February 16, 2010 with U.S. vs Switzerland as they too cycle and sift the winning teams to move up in rounds. 

On February 11th women's semifinals (1 & 2) begins as on the same day the qualification games begin to see what team will place 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place.  And on February 25th the winning women's team that prevails between their opposing team receives the bronze medal.  On the same day the gold medal team results from two of the top teams playing against each other.  When all is over the silver medal winners, the second top team, is awarded.

On February 27th the men's Olympic top hockey teams play for the bronze.  And on February 28th the top teams find out who will receive the gold and who will walk away with the silver medal, one day before the XXI Vancouver Winter Olympics end.

Past Three Winter Olympics Men's Hockey Medal Winners:

In Turin's 2006 Winter Olympics Canada won gold, Sweden won silver and America won bronze.  In Salt Lake City's 2002 Winter Olympics Canada won gold, United States won silver and Sweden won bronze as viewed through Wikipedia.  Most expect the same this year with these three top noted national teams.  But this is what they have to go through just to get there.

Where does the U.S. hockey team stand in 2010?

The U.S. Olympic hockey team consists of Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim "The Tank" Thomas, Jamie Langenbrunner, Chris Drury, Joe Palveski, Zach Parise, Ryan Callahan and more.  You can view the entire hockey team listing by visiting U.S. Olympic Hockey Team Announced.  Landenbrunner, Drury and Palveski have been to the Games before, but the others in the U.S. Olympic team roster just may surprise you.  They are highly recommended for this year's U.S. Olympic team.

Everything you need to know begins with following the Olympic hockey tournament schedule since within each hockey game you will be well informed of what's to come next. 

Enjoy the XXI Winter Olympic hockey games and don't forget to support your team.  Go Team U.S.A.!

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