The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) boss, Luc Tardif, has defended the 3-on-3 overtime format following complaints after the gold medal game. In an interview with Sportsnet, Tardif stated that the format is the best way to fit in a tight schedule, with 30 games for men and 28 games for women to be played in 11 and 13 days respectively. He emphasized the challenge of organizing such a large number of games in a short period of time, and suggested that the 3-on-3 format is a practical solution. However, some critics argue that the format favors the quicker and more skilled players, and that it was unfair for the Canadian team, who were the better team for most of the game but lost due to the 3-on-3 overtime. Despite this, Tardif maintains that the format is here to stay, and that everyone knew the rules going into the tournament. He also pointed out that the US and Canadian women's teams played a gold medal game that ended in OT with the same format, and that if players weren't prepared enough, it's their own fault. Furthermore, he highlighted that the Canadian team made a critical error on their own, with two players crashing into each other and ending up behind the play, and that Cale Makar, one of the best defensemen in the NHL, dropped the ball with a low-effort backcheck. While some may argue that the 3-on-3 overtime format is unfair, Tardif believes that it is a necessary compromise to fit in a tight schedule, and that players need to be prepared for it.
