Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament  The men's ice hockey tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, was the 19th Olympic Championship. The Czech Republic, which emerged from the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, won its first winter gold medal, becoming only the seventh nation to win Olympic ice hockey gold. The tournament, held from February 7 to February 22, was played at the Big Hat and Aqua Wing arenas. This was the first Olympics in which the National Hockey League (NHL) took a break (17 days, from February 8 to February 24) allowing national teams to include NHL players from each country. Unlike basketball's Dream Team, where the players stayed in a five-star hotel in Barcelona, NHL players were required to stay in the Olympic Village like other athletes. The Canadian team, despite a strong start in the round robin, lost their semifinal match against the Czech Republic in a shootout, and played a lackluster bronze medal game, disappointing Canadians who wished for Wayne Gretzky to get an Olympic medal. In the final match, the Czech Republic shut-out Russia to win the gold medal. Top team (shaded) advanced to the first round. All times are local (UTC+9). Top team (shaded) advanced to the first round. All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). All times are local (UTC+9). Team Canada was the oldest team in the tournament, with an average age of 30 years. Team Kazakhstan was the youngest, averaging 26 years and 11 months. The gold medal-winning Czech Republic team averaged 27 years and 2 months. The tournament average was 28 years and 1 month. Source:  Several of general manager Bobby Clarke's selections for Team Canada were controversial. Eric Lindros was named captain over longtime leaders such as Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman, and Ray Bourque (Clarke at the time was general manager of Lindros's NHL team, the Philadelphia Flyers). Rob Zamuner was a surprise pick, while Mark Messier and Scott Niedermayer were omitted. Japanese fans were disappointed when their adopted hero, Paul Kariya, a Canadian of Japanese heritage and one of Canada's best stars, failed to make the Games due to a head injury sustained from a crosscheck by Gary Suter during regular season NHL play.