MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Matt Bradley #13 of Team Italy (obscured) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period during the Men’s Preliminary Group B match between Sweden and Italy on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
The U.S.-Canada hockey rivalry may be heated, but don’t expect any of the games to break out in fisticuffs as a result.
That’s because unlike in the NHL, there is no fighting allowed in Olympic hockey. But why? That’s not entirely clear, but does seem like it would violate the part of the Olympic oath that emphasizes “the true spirit of sportsmanship.”
It also appears to be part of a safety push. Overall, games on the international level are officiated a bit tighter, so don’t expect as many things to slide unnoticed or unpunished.
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Those and similar safety measures have already come up in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics — in the very first game of the tournament. A defenseman on Finland’s team had to immediately rush back to the bench after his helmet was knocked off.
So what happens if a player decides to throw down? It will result in an automatic ejection.
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