There's no difference in terms of game play between men and women. The teams use six players at a time while using the same-sized puck on the same-sized hockey rink. But while the game's played the same by men and women, the opportunities for male and female players are decidedly different.

In 2014, there were 44 Division-I men's teams for ice hockey. The number of Division-I women's teams was quite a bit lower—29, to be exact (source). Some schools like Yale and Brown have fielded women's teams for over forty years, but the women's game didn't become NCAA-sanctioned until 2000.

The larger number of men's teams has also meant a greater disparity on the championship front. Since 1998, twelve different men's teams have hoisted the trophy; by contrast, Clarkson's title run in 2014 broke a thirteen-year stretch where the women's title was claimed by one of three schools—University of Minnesota, U of Minnesota—Duluth, or U of Wisconsin—Madison.

Perhaps the most glaring difference, though, comes once men and women turn pro. Star players in men's leagues can earn over $1 million in European leagues (source), and the average NHL salary as of 2013 was around $1.3 million (source).

Meanwhile, women are pros in name only in North America since they earn no salary and most often have to provide their own equipment (source).

Seriously, what in the world is that about?