1976 Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament Recap

Originally published on Apr. 27, 2021

By Zane Miller

On Saturday, February 14th, 1976, the Soviet Union defeated Czechoslovakia by four points in the final standings to win the 13th gold medal in Olympic men’s ice hockey history. It was the fifth gold medal for the Soviet Union in Olympic men’s ice hockey. Czechoslovakia took the silver medal with six points in the standings, claiming their third silver medal in Olympic men’s ice hockey. West Germany defeated Finland by 0 points in the standings, grabbing their second bronze medal in Olympic men’s ice hockey by winning the tiebreaker in head-to-head goal differential between themselves, Finland, and the United States.

The tournament was held in Austria, with Innsbruck as the host city. Vladimir Shadrin of the Soviet Union scored the most goals during the tournament with 10. Jiri Holecek of Czechoslovakia led goaltenders in save percentage at .950.

1976 Final Standings

1. Soviet Union (5-0, 1.000) (Gold)

2. Czechoslovakia (3-2, .600) (Silver)

3. West Germany (2-3, .400) (Bronze)

4. Finland (2-3, .400)

5. United States (2-3, .400)

6. Poland (1-4, .200)

7. Romania (4-1, .800)

8. Austria (3-2, .600)

9. Japan (3-2, .600)

10. Yugoslavia (3-2, .600)

11. Switzerland (2-3, .400)

12. Bulgaria (0-5, .000)

Game Results

Medalists final game starting lineups

Link to stats database: https://www.olympedia.org/results/20435