The controversial decision to use a 3-on-3 format to resolve the Olympic hockey finals remains unchanged, as confirmed by IIHF president Luc Tardif. He expressed satisfaction with the format used during the Milan-Cortina games, emphasizing that it is the best way to fit the extensive schedule into tightly packed timelines. For the men's teams, this means competing in 30 games over 11 days, while the women's teams are set to play 28 matches over 13 days, culminating in a total of 58 games spread across just 16 days, presenting a considerable challenge for all teams involved.

The Olympic hockey finals saw both men’s and women’s gold medal matches decided in overtime, leading to disappointment particularly among Canadian fans, who witnessed their teams lose 1-2 in both finals. Player Drew Doughty expressed regret over the resolution method, lamenting that it had to be settled with a 3-on-3 format. His teammate, Devon Toews, described the approach as 'brutal' and even termed it 'criminal,' indicating widespread unrest among the players about the new format and its implications for the competition's integrity.

Since 2021, international tournaments under the IIHF have utilized 3-on-3 overtime to determine outcomes in elimination rounds. However, despite the criticisms from players and stakeholders, it appears that there will be no changes to this format for future Olympics, suggesting that controversies like those experienced in Canada may continue to arise in subsequent events.