A Study on Performance Factors of the Korean Men’s National Ice Hockey Team : Win–Loss Differences

This study aimed to explore the key performance factors influencing the game outcomes of the Korean men’s national ice hockey team in the IIHF World Championships. A total of 22 official games from 2015 to 2018 were analyzed using structured video tagging, from which over 130 event variables were reorganized into 10 representative indicators across seven domains based on IIHF/NHL event systems and prior literature. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression analyses were conducted, with effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals reported to supplement the limited sample size. The results revealed that defensive and neutral zone face-off win rates were significantly higher in winning games and showed positive correlations with score differentials, identifying them as core determinants of game outcomes. Turnovers demonstrated significant negative associations with score differentials, indicating their detrimental impact on performance. Although other indicators were not statistically significant, some displayed moderate effect sizes, suggesting potential influence pending larger datasets. This study provides a standardized variable framework for analyzing national team games and empirically highlights the structural importance of puck possession through face-offs and error management through turnover control. These findings offer foundational insights for advancing evidence-based performance analysis in Korean ice hockey.