For those of you who are new to hockey or just want a freshen up on your hockey knowledge the following are the general rules, descriptions of positions and common terms you will hear around a hockey game.
THE POSITIONS IN HOCKEY
To play hockey you mush have 12 players in the game at any given time (six per team). The positions are three forwards, two defensemen and one goalie. Three forwards comprise one line consisting of a center (C), right wing (RW) and left wing (LW).
Center
The center is typically the team’s quarterback. The center usually directs play in both the offensive and defensive zones. The center also sets up plays for his teammates to score goals in the opposing zone and takes most of the face-offs. The center leads the attack by carrying the puck on offense. He exchanges passes with his wings to steer the play toward the opposing goal. On defense, he tries to disrupt a play before it gets on his team’s side of the ice.
Right/Left Wings
The wings or wingers play on the right or left side of the center. They cover their areas as the forward line enters and plays in the opposing zone. The wings team with the center on the attack to set up shots on goal. Defensively, they attempt to break up plays by their counterparts and upset the shot attempts.
Defensemen
The defenders usually play behind the forward line. This allows them to keep the puck in play in the opposing zone and keeps them in position to more easily defend their own goal when the play returns to their zone. There are two defensive positions, right defense and left defense. These players try to stop the incoming play at their own blue line. They try to break up passes, block shots, cover opposing forwards and clear the puck from in front of their own goal. Offensively, they get the puck to their forwards and follow the play into the attacking zone, positioning themselves just inside their opponent’s blue line at the “points.”
Goalie
The goalie’s job is to stay in or near his goal area, which can be called the crease, and stop the other team from scoring. A goalie’s responsibility is to prevent the puck from entering the goal. He can kick it, catch it, grab it or bat it out of the way – just don’t let it go past the goal line. The goalie usually plays the entire game and rarely moves away from his crease. The goalie’s primary task is simple - keep the puck out of his own net. Offensively, he may start his team down the ice with a pass, but seldom does he leave the net he guards.
THE LINGO
Just like any other sport, hockey has its own terminology. Some words and phrases you may know or recognize. Others you might not. Here are just a few to help you get better acquainted with the game.
Assist
An assist is awarded to the players that take part in the play immediately preceding the goal. For example, often times when a player scores a goal they receive help from their teammates in the form of a pass. As many as two players can get credit with an assist of a goal.
Body Check
Using the hip or shoulder to impede the progress of a player who has the puck.
Changing on the Fly
When players from the bench substitute for players on the ice without a stoppage of play.
Crease
The semi-circular blue area in front of each goal that protects the goalies from interference by attacking players.
Enforcer
The enforcer is an intimidating presence on the ice. His job is to protect his teammates from harm and make opponents think twice about taking cheap shots at any of his teammates. Generally the most penalized player on the team, the enforcer is never afraid to pick a fight.
Face-Off
Anytime there is a stoppage in play in ice hockey there is a face-off. The only face-off used in ice hockey is the standard face-off, where the referee drops the puck between two centers.
Five Hole
The space between the goalie’s leg pads.
Hat Trick
A total of three or more goals scored by one player in a single game.
Icing
A player shoots the puck from behind the center red line across the opponent’s goal line and the puck is not touched by an opposing player until it crosses the goal line. If the opposing team touches the puck first after it crosses the goal line, icing is called and a face-off is held at the opposite end. If the team that shoots the puck touches it first after it crosses the goal line, icing is not called and play continues. Icing is not called when the team that shoots the puck is shorthanded or playing with fewer players on the ice than the other team.
Neutral Zone
The area between the blue lines, divided by the red line.
One Timer
An immediate shot off a teammate’s pass. One-timers are very effective in surprising opposing goaltenders.
Power Play
If you break a rule, you go to the penalty box for a set amount of time while your team plays with one less player. This is known as a power play for the team with one extra skater and the team playing with fewer players is considered short-handed.
Slashing
Swinging your stick and striking an opponent, thus impeding his forward progress..
Ice Resurfacer
The vehicle used to resurface the ice before the game and after each period. The machine scrapes a thin layer off the ice, heats it and puts down a fresh coat of warm water that freezes to form a new, smooth layer of ice.
OFFICIALS
Sometimes you love them and other times you want to poor your beer all over him and curse him into oblivion. But the following are the guys we love to hate and hate to love.
Referee:
He supervises the game, calls the penalties, determines goals and handles faceoffs at center ice to start each period.
Linesmen:
Two are used. They call offside, offside pass, icing and handle all faceoffs not occurring at center ice. They do not call penalties, but can recommend to the referee that a penalty be called.
Goal Judges:
One sits off-ice behind each goal and indicates when a goal has been scored by turning on a red light just above his station. The referee can ask his advice on disputed goals, but the referee has final authority and can overrule the goal judge.
Official Scorer:
He determines which player scores and credits assists if there are any. He may consult the referee, but the scorer is the final authority in crediting points.
PENALTIES
A team plays shorthanded when one or more of its players is charged with a penalty. However, no team is forced to play more than two players below full strength (six) at any time. When a third penalty is assessed to the same team, it is suspended until the first penalty expires. When a penalty is called on a goalie, a teammate serves his time in the penalty box.
Minor penalty:
(Two minutes) Called for tripping, hooking, spearing, slashing, charging, roughing, holding, elbowing or boarding.
Major penalty:
(Five minutes) Called for fighting or when minor penalties are committed with deliberate attempt to injure. Major penalties for slashing, spearing, high-sticking, elbowing, butt-ending and cross-checking carry automatic game misconducts.
Misconduct:
(10 minutes) Called for various forms of unsportsmanlike behavior or when a player incurs a second major penalty in a game. This is a penalty against an individual and not a team, so a substitute is permitted.
Penalty shot:
A free shot, unopposed except for the goalie, given to a player who is illegally impeded from behind when he has possession of the puck with no opponent between him and the goal except the goalie. The team which commits the offense is not penalized beyond the penalty shot, whether it succeeds or not.
Delayed penalty:
Whistle is delayed until the penalized team regains possession of the puck.
Midnas Helm
