<P> The rink specifications originate from the ice surface of the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, constructed in 1862, where the first indoor game was played in 1875 . Its ice surface measured 204 feet (62 m) × 80 feet (24 m). The curved corners are considered to originate from the design of the Montreal Arena, also in Montreal, constructed in 1898 . </P> <P> The centre line divides the ice in half crosswise . It is used to judge icing, meaning that if a team sends the puck across the centre line (red line), blue line and then across the goal line (that is to say, shoots or dumps the puck past the goal line from behind their own side of the centre line) it is said to be icing . It is a thick line, and in the NHL must "contain regular interval markings of a uniform distinctive design, which will readily distinguish it from the two blue lines ." When discussing differences in the rules of the game, it is often said that a game is played with no red line . This simply means that there is no two - line pass violation . The centre line is still used to judge icing violations . </P> <P> There are two thick blue lines that divide the rink into three parts, called zones . These two lines are used to judge if a player is offside . If an attacking player crosses the line into the other team's zone prior to the puck crossing, he is said to be offside . </P> <P> Near each end of the rink, there is a thin red goal line spanning the width of the ice . It is used to judge goals and icing calls . </P>

How much bigger is olympic ice than nhl