Hockey 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.

• 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.

• 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..