#olympic-hockey

#olympic-hockey

But the NHL's withdrawal just six weeks before the tournament began improved Slovakia's chances, and with some clutch performances, Regenda and his teammates captured the Bronze Medal, setting off parties and celebrations upon their return to Bratislava. We felt like superstars, which we actually were at that time, Regenda said. It was the first medal ever for Slovakia in hockey. We are forever in history.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Sidney Crosby has been named captain of Canada's men's hockey team at the Milan Cortina Games. The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar captained Canada to a gold medal the last time NHL players participated in the Olympics at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. Four years earlier, he scored the "golden goal" in overtime as Canada defeated the United States 3-2 in the Vancouver 2010 final.

Burned in Zach Werenski's memory is the first U.S. practice at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. You look around and see the skill, Werenski said. I was like, This is fast.' It's wave after wave, player after player. He and his countrymen fell short at that tournament, which was designed to be an appetizer of sorts for the return of NHL players to the Olympics.

Usually, new Olympic venues are tested at least the year before hosting medal events. And with a large hockey arena, it's not just about the ice and making sure that the playing surface is ready and safe. It's also about testing concession stands, bathrooms and everything else inside a brand-new modern arena. The Santagiulia venue, which is being built by a private company, is slated to become Italy's largest indoor arena.