By Zane Miller

On Sunday, February 23rd, 1992, the Unified Team defeated Canada 3-1 in the gold medal game to win the 17th gold medal in Olympic men’s ice hockey history. It was the first gold medal for the Unified Team in Olympic men’s ice hockey, as the team was made up of players who were expected to play for the Soviet Union, which had dissolved less than two months prior to the start of the 1992 Winter Olympics. Since this event had occurred so close to beginning of the tournament, the former Soviet team was allowed to compete together as the Unified Team. Canada took the silver medal with the loss, claiming their third silver medal in Olympic men’s ice hockey. Czechoslovakia defeated the United States 6-1 in the bronze medal game, claiming their fourth bronze medal in Olympic men’s ice hockey.

The tournament was held in France, with Albertville as the host city. The tournament also saw a four-way tie for most goals scored, with Andrei Khomutov and Nikolai Borschevsky of the Unified Team, Teemu Selanne of Finland and Dave Archibald of Canada each earning seven goals. Ray LeBlanc of the United States led goaltenders in save percentage at .943.