On the larger surface, the game becomes more about being positionally sound, so fewer chances are taken. Players have more time with the puck, so game play slows down. And in the case of this Olympics, Vancouver saves 10 million dollars and allows a huge number of extra bodies to watch the games by not making the switch.

So the ice will be the same size we're all accustomed to, and with that comes the ability to more accurately predict the success of teams – it's usually impossible to know who will play best on a modified rink.

The ice aside, there are still rule changes that make game play slightly different from normal, NHL puck. Basically, international hockey is hockey at its purest, and the rules reflect that:

• Fighting is a major no-no. Not only are you kicked out for the rest of the game, but you get to watch the next one too.
• The goalies get to play the puck like adults again. No trapezoid means they can play the puck anywhere in the defensive zone, and further still, they aren't allowed to cover it behind the hash marks or goal line, so they have to play it more.
• You can fire the puck over the glass in the d-zone if you need a rest.
• In the NHL, the visiting team has to put their stick down first for a face-off. In international competition, it's the attacking player whose stick goes down first, giving the defensive player the advantage.
• Icing is automatic, no touch required.
• Head shots are punishable by guillotine, or something similarly serious. Point is, they aren't tolerated.

Though subtle, any change from the norm affects the way the game is played. Who has the advantage? Which skills take higher precedence? Aren't you glad I'm here to be your tour guide?

As always, the fighting rule affects no one, because there will be no fights. It's not like playoffs, where you can come back later in the game, point proven, and help your team. You can't even come back in the next game here and, even if you did, you wouldn't be playing the same team.

In the NHL, fighting is often spurred on by a moralistic sense of what's right – you don't hit our star player and get away without answering for it. You don't hit guys in the head. You don't hit guys from behind. Fighting is rarely an emotional decision anymore, but a conscious point being made (with the exception of the occasional lunkheads trying to keep their spot on a team). International play is largely comprised of talented stars, who rarely fight anyways and also realize that dropping your mitts merely deprives your team of your talents for two games.

So no issue there.

The biggest advantage with the rule change goes to the goalie who can best play the puck. Canada's Martin Brodeur will feel like he's been freed from his confining trapezoidal cage, as he can once again peruse the D-zone as an extra defenseman and help Canada break out. Playing the puck doesn't always affect the game, but the team whose goalie can best do it provides the opportunity to create scoring chances at the risk of occasional, utter disaster (see: Marc-Andre Fleury, World Juniors).

The hits to the head is the key point – absolutely zero tolerance.

This rule actually benefits the European teams, who tend to play a less physical game, without that vicious little edge the North Americans are taught they need to succeed at this game. This rule doesn't affect them, but you never know when it might nip one of our rambunctious North Americans.

With the freedom to cut to the middle of the ice, expect the European players to slowly adjust their games to their more natural style. By the medal rounds of the tournament, don't be shocked to see European players get comfortable with the middle of the ice and make a few more plays through there – for two weeks, Mike Richards isn't allowed to take target practice at their heads for a week.

All in all, we won't see the game change that much. The majority of the best teams are comprised of NHL players, and they've become accustomed to the NHL game.

Who has the advantage under the new rules? Nobody.*

*Canada has the advantage under any rules! Go Canada!

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