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Olympic Hockey Shifts to 3-on-3 Overtime, Drops Shootouts for 2026 Medal Rounds

The format removes shootouts in deciding games to prioritize continuous play.

Overview

  • According to Yahoo Sports, playoff-round ties go to a single 20-minute 3-on-3 overtime, with no shootout afterward.
  • For the gold-medal game, Yahoo Sports reports 20-minute 3-on-3 sudden-death periods with 15-minute intermissions until a goal decides it.
  • These procedures differ from recent NHL overtime formats that handle extra time and game endings in other ways.
  • The reported approach moves away from past Olympic finishes settled by shootouts, with T.J. Oshie’s 2014 performance cited as a notable example.
  • The Sporting News underscores that 3-on-3 in a championship setting changes the on-ice dynamics compared with traditional 5-on-5 play.