In some countries , such as Canada , the United States and a few European countries such as Finland and Sweden among others , it is known as `` hockey '' ; the name `` ice hockey '' is used in countries where `` hockey '' generally refers to field hockey ( like in most European , South American and Asian countries ) .
Ice hockey is very well-known and well-liked in Canada , Russia , Sweden , Finland , the Czech Republic , the United States , Latvia and Slovakia .