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Assist

The pass or passes which immediately precede a successful scoring attempt; a maximum of two assists are credited for one goal.

Attacking line

AKA Forward line or Offensive line; consists of two wings (right and left) and a center; these three players play nearer the opponent's goal and are responsible for most of the scoring.

Attacking zone

AKA Offensive zone; The area in the opponents'end of the ice between the blue line and the goal line.

Back line

AKA Defensive line; A unit consisting of two defensemen; these two players play near the blue line in the opponent's zone, trying to keep the puck in the zone.

Backchecking

Applying defensive pressure from behind an opponent. Backchecking is usually done by forwards.

Backliner

AKA Blueliner, Reargard or Defenseman; A player who is primarily responsible for preventing the opposition from scoring. There are usually two defensemen on ice for a team at any given time, and they are usually positioned closer to their own goal cage than the forwards.

Beat the goalie

To score a goal, usually by faking out or outsmarting the opposing goaltender.

Bench minor penalty

A bench penalty can be called on a team for violations of the rules, which are not specific to a player. Any team member can serve the penalty.

Biscuit in the basket

Shooting the puck (biscuit) into the net (basket), or scoring a goal.

Blade

(1) The flat section of a hockey stick that contacts the puck. (2) The metal portion of an ice skate that glides across the ice surface.

Blender

AKA Eggbeater; A player who chops the ice around the puck in a desperate attempt to either gain or retain control of the puck.

Blocker

AKA Blocking glove; A large glove worn by the goalie on the stick hand, which has a rectangular pad attached to the back. Also known as the blocker.

Blocker pad

AKA Waffle pad; A large rectangular pad on the front of the goaltender's stick hand.

Blocking glove

AKA Blocker; A large glove worn by the goalie on the stick hand, which has a rectangular pad attached to the back. Also known as the blocker.

Blue lines

The pair of one-foot wide blue lines that extend across the ice at a distance of 60 feet from each goal; these lines break up the ice into attacking, neutral, and defending zones.

Blueliner

AKA Backliner, Reargard, or Defenseman; A player who is primarily responsible for preventing the opposition from scoring. There are usually two defensemen on ice for a team at any given time, and they are usually positioned closer to their own goal cage than the forwards.

Board-checking

AKA Boarding; A minor penalty that occurs when a player uses any method (body checking, elbowing or tripping) to throw an opponent violently into the boards; if an injury is caused, it becomes a major penalty.

Boarding

AKA Board-checking; A minor penalty that occurs when a player uses any method (body checking, elbowing or tripping) to throw an opponent violently into the boards; if an injury is caused, it becomes a major penalty.

Boards

AKA Dasher boards; An enclosure of wood or fiberglass that surrounds the rink; Consists of sideboards, endboards, and cornerboards.

Body check

A check made with the hip or shoulder to slow or stop an opponent's movement or to throw him off balance.

Box

(1) A short-handed defensive formation where the four remaining skaters' positions form a square. (2) Another term for the penalty box.

Breakaway

A fast scoring opportunity where a skater with the puck gets clear of the opposing defensemen and faces only the goaltender.

Breakout

A method of moving the puck out of the defensive zone and beginning an attack.

Butt-ending

Poking an opponent with the butt of the stick, which normally incurs a minor penalty.

Butterfly

A goaltending style where the goaltender keeps his knees together and his feet slightly apart, enabling him to drop quickly to his knees to make a save and subsequently regain his feet.

Butterfly save

When a goalie extends both legs in opposite directions in order to stop a shot it is known as a butterfly save.

Caught up ice

Descriptive of a player who is still in the attacking zone while the opponents are attacking at the other end of the ice.

Center

The player in the center of a team's forward line. He takes most of the faceoffs and often leads an attack by carrying the puck into the attacking zone, then shooting or passing to a teammate.

Centering pass

A pass from an attacking player towards the middle of the ice to a teammate with a better angle at the goal.

Change on the fly

A team may change its players even as play continues. This is known as changing on the fly. A player coming on the rink cannot play the puck until the player they are replacing is off the rink.

Charging

A minor penalty which occurs when a player makes a deliberate move of more than two steps when body checking an opponent; if serious injury is caused or blood is drawn it becomes a major penalty.

Check

Any tactic used by a defensive player in an attempt to slow down an opponent and/or get possession of the puck. There are two main varieties: the body check and the stick check.

Checking line

A line of forwards whose primary job is to shut down the opponent's top offensive line.

Cherry picker

A player who waits at the center line for an offensive chance, while the puck is in his defensive zone.

Chip it out

When a team wants to get out of their zone, they can pass the puck to one of their wings who is close to the point. If the wing cannot catch the pass and begin to skate into the neutral zone they can chip it by just touching it and directing it into the neutral zone. Chipping the puck is considered a very conservative style as the puck as it is difficult to begin a formal rush toward the opponent and it is likely that the other team will get possession

Clearing the puck

Passing, poking, or deflecting the puck away from one's own goal cage or out of the defensive zone.

Clearing the zone

When a defending player sends the puck out of the opponent's attacking zone, all the attacking players must leave or clear the zone to avoid being called offsides when the puck reenters the zone.

Clutch and grab

A style of play that involves constantly holding the opponent to slow the pace of the game.

Coincidental

Descriptive of matching penalties assessed against players of both teams for simultaneous fouls.

Corner

An area of the rink near one of the four rounded sections where the sideboards and endboards meet.

Cross-checking

A minor penalty that occurs when a player holds his stick in both hands and drives the shaft into an opponent; a stick check where a player has both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice; if serious injury is caused or blood is drawn it becomes a major penalty and a game misconduct.

Cutting down the angle

A goaltending tactic. The goalie moves out from his crease, facing the shooter, in order to cut down the amount of the net the shooter can see.

Cycling

Cycling is an offensive strategy used to keep control of the puck by keeping it close the boards. Offensive players make short passes to each other along the boards until they see an opening to pass to a teammate who is moving into the slot for a shot.

Dance

AKA Fight or Throw down; To drop the stick and gloves and fight an opposing player.

Dasher boards

AKA Boards; An enclosure of wood or fiberglass that surrounds the rink; Consists of sideboards, endboards, and cornerboards.

Defenseman

AKA Blueliner, Backliner, or Rearguard; A player who is primarily responsible for preventing the opposition from scoring. There are usually two defensemen on ice for a team at any given time, and they are usually positioned closer to their own goal cage than the forwards.

Defensive line

AKA Back line; A unit consisting of two defensemen; these two players play near the blue line in the opponent's zone, trying to keep the puck in the zone.

Deflection

A shot or pass that changes direction when it strikes a player, skate, or stick. While often accidental, a deflection may also be a deliberate act of a player who uses the stick to redirect a teammate's shot into the goal cage.

Delay of game

A minor penalty imposed on any player who purposely delays the game in any way, such as shooting or batting the puck outside the playing area or displacing the goalpost from its normal position.

Delayed offside

An apparent offside on which the linesman doesn't blow the whistle immediately because a defending player has gained control of the puck near the blue line. If the player loses possession before crossing the blue line, the offside will be called.

Delayed penalty

When the referee determines that a penalty will be assessed against a player they will raise their arm. If the puck is controlled by the team that does not have the player who committed the penalty, play continues until the other team touches the puck. This is know as a delayed penalty. A common strategy during a delayed penalty is to pull the goalie and add a player, as the other team can never get off a shot.

Diamond

A short-handed defensive formation where the four remaining skaters' positions form a diamond.

Digger

A player who is a hard worker and goes into the corners to regain possession of the puck.

Diving

Falling to the ice, sometimes dramatically, in hopes of drawing an opposing penalty. This tactic is considered to be unsportsmanlike and can result in a minor penalty.

Double minor

In effect, a four-minute penalty imposed on a player, either for a serious infraction resulting in injury to an opponent or for two different infractions on the same play.

Draw

AKA Faceoff; The method of starting play at the beginning of a period or of restarting after play has been stopped for any reason. Two opposing players stand a stick-length apart with their stick blades flat on the ice and a referee or linesman drops the puck between them. Other players must remain outside the faceoff circle or at least 15 feet away if the faceoff is at a spot that's not in a circle.

Drop pass

A style of passing the puck where the carrier leaves the puck behind to be picked up by a trailing teammate.

Dummy

AKA Enforcer or Policeman; A player whose main duty is to protect his teammates or intimidate opponents by fighting or using brute force.

Dump and chase

A strategy by which a team shoots the puck into the attacking zone, then skates in aggressively after it.

Dump it in

Shooting the puck deep into the offensive zone, rather than making a play to cross the offensive blue line.

Eggbeater

AKA Blender; A player who chops the ice around the puck in a desperate attempt to either gain or retain control of the puck.

Elbowing

A minor penalty that occurs when a player strikes his opponent with an elbow to impede his progress.

Empty net

A net that's unprotected, because the goalie is out of position or because he's off the ice in favor of an extra skater.

End-to-end action

Exciting play with infrequent whistles and both teams getting many scoring chances.

Enforcer

AKA Dummy or Policeman; A player whose main duty is to protect his teammates or intimidate opponents by fighting or using brute force.

Extra skater

A player, usually a forward, who is on the ice to replace the goalie, either during a delayed penalty or when a team desperately needs a goal late in the game.

Face-off

AKA Draw; The method of starting play at the beginning of a period or of restarting after play has been stopped for any reason. Two opposing players stand a stick-length apart with their stick blades flat on the ice and a referee or linesman drops the puck between them. Other players must remain outside the faceoff circle or at least 15 feet away if the faceoff is at a spot that's not in a circle.

Face-off circle

There are five faceoff circles, each 30 feet in diameter, one at the center of the rink and two in each end of the rink.

Face-off spot

In addition to the faceoff spots located in the center of each faceoff circle, there are four faceoff spots in the neutral zone, located directly in line with the faceoff spots in the end faceoff circles and 2 feet from the blue lines.

Falling on the puck

A minor penalty that occurs when a player other than the goalie closes his hand on the puck, deliberately falls on the puck, or gathers the puck under his body while lying on the ice.

Fan

(1) v. To miss the puck completely when attempting a shot or pass. (2) n. A hockey fanatic.

Fighting

A major penalty that occurs when two or more players drop their sticks and gloves and fight; if a referee deems one player to be the instigator, that player also receives a minor penalty and a misconduct penalty; the minor penalty for a less severe pushing and shoving match is called roughing.

Flip pass

A pass on which a player lifts the puck off the ice with a quick wrist snap, usually to clear an opponent's stick.

Flopper

A goaltender that is constantly dropping to the ice or leaving his feet to make plays.

Forecheck

To check members of the opposing team in their own defensive zone, both to slow down their attack and to attempt to regain control of the puck.

Forehand

A shot or pass taken from the right side of a right-handed player or from the left side of a left-handed player.

Forward

One of the three players who make up a team's forward line: the center and the right and left wings.

Forward line

AKA Attacking line or Offensive line; consists of two wings (right and left) and a center; these three players play nearer the opponent's goal and are responsible for most of the scoring.

Freezing the puck

Keeping the puck jammed against the boards to get a whistle from the referee, which stops play. This tactic results in a face-off.

Full strength

Descriptive of a team that has its full complement of six players on the ice.

Game misconduct

A penalty on which a player is ejected for the rest of the game, assessed for a serious violation such as instigating a fight, continuing a fight after being separated by a linesman, or being the third party to join in a fight. The team doesn't have to play short-handed.

Game timekeeper

An official who is responsible for everything involved in timing the game: operating the scoreboard clock, sounding the buzzer that indicates the end of a period, and announcing, after 19 minutes have passed, that one minute remains in the period, among others tasks.

Garbage goal

An easy or cheap goal scored by a player who doesn't deserve most of the credit for scoring the goal. They can also be goals scored during messy scrums in front of the net.

Getting walked

When a defenseman has an opposing player go around him as though he was simply walking on the ice.

Give-and-go

A play on which a player passes to a teammate, then skates past him, ready for a quick return pass.

Glass

The glass panels on top of the boards, which protects spectators from the puck. The panels are usually made of acrylic or tempered glass which is more resistant to scratches than acrylic.

Glove side

The side on which the goaltender wears the catching glove; the opposite of stick side.

Goal

A score, worth one point, that is made when the puck goes entirely across the opposition's goal line, between the goal posts.

Goal cage

AKA Net; The target for scorers, it's a tubular metal frame, 6 feet wide by 4 feet high, made up a crossbar and two goal posts, to which a net is attached. The goalposts rest on the goal line.

Goal crease

An area in front of the goal cage. The crease is a rectangle surmounted by the arc of a circle that extends a bit further. Attacking players are not allowed to interfere with the goaltender in the crease, although incidental contact is now allowed. Every league defines its own dimensions for the crease.

Goal judge

One of two officials who are responsible for determining whether the puck has passed between the goal posts and completely across the goal line, the two requirements for a legal goal. The judge sits in a cage behind the goal cage and turns on a red light to signify that a goal has been scored. However, the referee can overrule the goal judge.

Goal light

AKA Red light; A light behind the goal cage, next to the green light, that is turned on by the goal judge to indicate that a goal has been scored.

Goal line

A red line, 2 inches wide, that connects the goal posts and extends to the sideboards in both directions.

Goal mouth

The opening at the front of the goal cage formed by the goal posts and the crossbar, plus the ice area immediately in front of that opening.

Goalie

AKA Goaltender or Netminder; The defensive player normally stationed directly in front of the goal cage, whose primary job is to prevent goals by the other team. The goaltender wears special protective equipment and is given some special protection by the rules, while he is in the goal crease. If assessed a minor, major, or misconduct penalty, the goaltender remains in the game while another player goes to the penalty box in his stead.

Goals against

The total number of goals given up by a goaltender or a team within a given period of time.

Goals against average

The average number of goals given up per 60-minute game by a goaltender or a team within a given period of time. The average is computed by dividing goals against by minutes played and multiplying the result by 60.

Goaltender

AKA Goalie or Netminder; The defensive player normally stationed directly in front of the goal cage, whose primary job is to prevent goals by the other team. The goaltender wears special protective equipment and is given some special protection by the rules, while he is in the goal crease. If assessed a minor, major, or misconduct penalty, the goaltender remains in the game while another player goes to the penalty box in his stead.

Going upstairs

AKA Roofing it; Shooting the puck into the upper portion of the net, usually the right or left corners.

Gordie Howe hat trick

A player who gets a goal, an assist and a fighting major in the same game.

Green light

A light behind the goal cage, next to the red light, that goes on when time has expired in a period. When that green light goes on, the red light is locked out, so the goal judge can't indicate a goal if it comes immediately after the period ends.

Grinder

A player that skates, hits and checks relentlessly, especially along the boards and in the corners, to gain control of the puck.

Gross misconduct

A kind of all-purpose category for extreme misbehavior by a player, coach, manager, or trainer. The penalty is suspension for the rest of the game and an automatic fine in the league.

Half-boards

AKA Half-wall; The area along the dasher boards halfway between the blue line and the goal line in the offensive zone. Many players on the power play often position themselves at the half-boards.

Half-wall

AKA Half-boards; The area along the dasher boards halfway between the blue line and the goal line in the offensive zone. Many players on the power play often position themselves at the half wall.

Hand pass

The act of batting, deflecting, or throwing the puck toward a teammate, resulting in stoppage of a play and a faceoff at the spot. A player is allowed to stop or bat the puck with a hand, provided it isn't deliberately directed at a teammate.

Hard around

A hard shot from an offensive player taken into the offensive zone that follows the boards across the blue line, into the corner, behind the net and into to opposite corner. The hard around is used set up offensive plays (particularly power plays) or to give a team extra time on a line change.

High in the zone

A player positioned in the area between the blue line and the hash marks on the face off circle is known as being high in the zone.

High stick

A stick carried with the blade above shoulder level. A goal cannot be scored with a high stick.

High-sticking

A minor penalty that occurs when a player carries his stick above the normal height of his opponent's shoulders and hits or menaces the opponent with it; if injury is caused it becomes a major penalty; if a referee determines that the raising of the stick was unintentional and no contact occurred, it is considered a team infraction, and a face-off is held in the offender's defensive zone.

Hip check

A check made with the hip to slow or stop an opponent's movement or to throw him off balance.

Holding

A minor penalty that occurs when a player grabs and holds onto an opponent (or his stick) with his hands or arms to impede the opponent's progress.

Hook check

A check where the stick is laid on the ice in front of the puck to trap it, often from beside or behind the opponent.

Hooking

A minor penalty that occurs when a player attempts to impede the progress of another player by hooking any part of the opponent's body with the blade of his stick; an illegal use of one's stick.

Ice time

The amount of time that the player is on the ice during a game when the clock is running.

Icing

Shooting or directing the puck from behind the red line so that it crosses the opposition's goal line outside of the crease. Play resumes with a faceoff in the offending team's defensive zone. It is not icing if the puck passes through the goal crease or if the team is short-handed.

Interference

Checking or otherwise impeding the motion of an opponent who is not in possession of or contention for the puck, except immediately after the opponent has taken a shot or made a pass. Incurs a minor penalty.

Intermission

A fifteen minute recess between each of the three periods of a hockey game.

Kick save

A save on which the goalie uses his skate or extended leg to stop or deflect the puck.

Kicked goal

Occurs when the puck is intentionally kicked into the opponent's net. This is dissallowed and results in no goal scored.

Kill a penalty

AKA Penalty kill; A situation where a short-handed team tries to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal on the power play.

Kneeing

A minor penalty that occurs when a player uses a knee to hit his opponent in the leg, thigh or lower body.

Lamplighter

AKA Redlighter; A goal. The term comes from the red light goal judges turn on behind the net to indicate that a goal has been scored.

Left wing

The forward who lines up and operates primarily on the left side of the ice, usually a left-handed shooter.

Line

A group of forwards who usually play together for a team because their skills complement one another.

Line change

The substitition of one entire line for another, usually done every couple of minutes or even more often to keep rested players on the ice.

Linesman

One of the two officials primarily responsible for calling icing and offside violations. The linesmen also conduct most faceoffs, separate fighting players, and may inform the referee of fouls, but they cannot themselves call penalties.

Low in the zone

A player positioned in the area between the goal line and the hash marks on the face off circle is known as being low in the zone.

Major penalty

A five-minute penalty imposed for serious infractions, such as fighting and spearing, and for lesser infractions that cause injury and/or draw blood. The penalized player must serve all five minutes in the penalty box, even if the opposing team scores.

Man advantage

The situation in which a team has one more player on the ice than the opposition.

Match penalty

The equivalent of a major penalty plus a game misconduct penalty. The guilty player is suspended for the remainder of the game, another player goes to the penalty box for five minutes, and the team plays short-handed for that time.

Minor Penalty

The standard two-minute penalty assessed for most violations. The player goes to the penalty box for two minutes, but can return to the ice of the opponents score before the time is up.

Misconduct penalty

A ten minute penalty assessed for such infractions as abusive language toward an official or prolonged fighting. The team doesn't have to play short-handed.

Netminder

AKA Goalie or Goaltender; The defensive player normally stationed directly in front of the goal cage, whose primary job is to prevent goals by the other team. The goaltender wears special protective equipment and is given some special protection by the rules, while he is in the goal crease. If assessed a minor, major, or misconduct penalty, the goaltender remains in the game while another player goes to the penalty box in his stead.

Neutral zone

The area between the blue lines. Some also refer to that area as center ice.

Odd-man break

When the offensive team outmans the defensive team during an offensive rush up the ice.

Off wing

A left or right wing forward who is on the side opposite that on which he usually plays, or shoots from the wrong side for his position; e.g., a left wing stationed on the right wing or a right-handed shooter playing left wing.

Offensive line

AKA Attacking line or Forward line; consists of two wings (right and left) and a center; these three players play nearer the opponent's goal and are responsible for most of the scoring.

Offensive zone

AKA Attacking zone; The area in the opponents' end of the ice between the blue line and the goal line.

Official scorer

An official who keeps a record of the game, including goals scored and the time of each score, players credited with goals and assists, and substitutions.

Officials

There are as many as eight officials working a hockey game: one referee and two linesmen, known as on-ice officials, plus two goal judges, a game timekeeper, a penalty time keeper, and an official scorer, who are known as off-ice officials.

Offside

AKA Offsides; A violation committed when a player is already in the attacking zone, with both skates entirely across the blue line, when the puck crosses the blue line into that zone. Play stops and a faceoff is held in the neutral zone.

One man back

Descriptive of the situation in which a team has only one defenseman between the goaltender and the attackers, usually because the other defenseman has been caught up ice.

One-timer

A offensive player that shoots by timing his swing with the arrival of the puck.

Overtime

An extra period of play to break a tie. The NHL and ECHL define this as a five minute, sudden-death period where the first team that scores, wins. If the game is still tied at the end of the overtime period, then a shoot-out commences.

Pass-out

A pass made by an attacking player from behind the opponent's goal line to a teammate in front of the net.

Peeling the banana

When a player comes in on a breakaway and makes a fake that forces the goaltender to open his legs so he can shoot the puck between his legs and score.

Penalty

A punishment levied against a player, coach, or team official for a rules violation. Types of penalties include minor, major, misconduct, and match penalties.

Penalty box

An area containing a bench, just off the ice and behind the sideboards, where players serve penalty time. There are two penalty boxes, one for each team.

Penalty kill

A situation where a short-handed team tries to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal on the power play.

Penalty killer

One of the players on the ice to prevent a power play goal by the opposition. Penalty killers are usually good at backchecking and puck-handling.

Penalty minutes

A statistic that shows the amount of penalty time accumulated by a player or team.

Penalty shot

A free shot on goal with only the goaltender defending; Awarded for certain infractions. The player taking the shot is given the puck at the center ice spot and must keep the puck moving forward once across the blue line. Once the shot is taken, the play is over; a goal can't be scored on a rebound. If a penalty shot is awarded to a player who was interfered with or otherwise fouled on a breakaway, that player takes the shot. In other cases, such as when a defensive player other than the goaltender falls on a puck in the goal crease, the team captain selects a player from among those on the ice to take the penalty shot.

Penalty timekeeper

An official who sits between the two penalty boxes and is responsible for recording and timing every penalty.

Period

One of the three 20-minute playing segments of play in a regulation hockey game, or an overtime playing segment.

Pipe

AKA Plumbing; The metal tubing portion of the goal cage, consisting of the two goalposts and the crossbar, that define the opening, or goal mouth above the goal-line.

Pitchfork

Attempting to spear an opposing player with the stick by thrusting it toward him at waist-level and swinging it upward.

Plumbing

AKA Pipe; The metal tubing portion of the net, consisting of the two goalposts and the crossbar, that define the opening above the goal-line.

Plus/Minus

The plus/minus statistic attempts to measure how an individual player contributes to a team's success on the ice. A player is credited with a +1 when his team scores (even strength or short-handed) and he is on the ice, regardless of any direct involvement in the scoring play. Similarly, a player is charged with a -1 when his team allows a goal by the opponents when he is on the ice.

Point

(1) A goal or an assist credited to a player. (2) A unit used to determine league standings, in which a team is given 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie or overtime loss. (3) An area near the boards and just inside the opposition's blue line, where a defenseman is normally stationed when his team has control of the puck in the attacking zone.

Point man

A player, usually a defenseman, whose responsibility while his team is forechecking or on the power play is to keep the puck from leaving the offensive zone and to distribute or shoot the puck when he receives it.

Poke check

A stick check on which the player jabs his stick blade at the puck or an opponent's stick to dislodge the puck.

Policeman

AKA Enforcer or Dummy; A player whose main duty is to protect his teammates or intimidate opponents by fighting or using brute force.

Power play

The situation in which a team has more players on the ice than the opposition because one or more opposing players are in the penalty box.

Power play goal

A goal scored by a team on the power play. In two-minute minor penalty situations, the minor penalty is considered over after such a goal.

Puck

The object of play; A black disc made of vulcanized rubber, 1 inch thick and 3 inches in diameter, weighing between 5 1/2 and 6 ounces.

Pull the goalie

To remove the goaltender from the ice and replace him with a forward to gain more attacking power. The goalie is pulled when there's a delayed penalty on the opposition or when a team needs to score in the closing minutes of a game.

Pylon

A player who is such a slow skater that opponents skate right around him, as if he were a stationary obstacle on a race course.

Rag the puck

To retain control of the puck, without attempting to score, for a considerable period of time, usually through clever stickhandling; a tactic used to kill time while a team is short-handed or when it holds a lead with not much time left in the game.

Rearguard

AKA Blueliner, Backliner; or Defenseman; A player who is primarily responsible for preventing the opposition from scoring. There are usually two defensemen on ice for a team at any given time, and they are usually positioned closer to their own goal cage than the forwards.

Rebound

A loose puck that has bounced off the goaltender, the crossbar, or a goal post after a shot.

Red light

AKA Goal light; A light behind the goal cage, next to the green light, that is turned on by the goal judge to indicate that a goal has been scored.

Redlighter

AKA Lamplighter; A goal. The term comes from the red light goal judges turn on behind the net to indicate that a goal has been scored.

Referee

The chief official in a hockey game, who calls most of the serious infractions and assesses penalties. The referee can be identified by the orange strips on his sleaves.

Referee's crease

A semi-circular area , with a 10 foot radius, marked in red on the ice in front of the timekeeper's bench into which players may not follow a referee.

Right wing

The forward who lines up and operates primarily on the right side of the ice, usually a right-handed shooter.

Rink

The playing area for hockey, an ice surface in the shape of a rectangle with round corners, 200 feet long and usually 85 feet wide in North America but 100 feet wide in international play.

Roofing It

AKA Going upstairs; Shooting the puck into the upper portion of the net, usually the right or left corners.

Roughing

A minor penalty that occurs when a fight between players is more of a pushing and shoving match; a less severe penalty than fighting.

Rush

A rapid movement of the puck, by one or more players, into the attacking zone and toward the opposition's goal cage.

Scramble

AKA Scrum; Several players from both teams, in close contact, battling for possession of the puck.

Screen shot

a shot on goal that the goalie cannot see because it was taken from behind one or more players from either team standing in front of the net.

Scrum

AKA Scramble; Several players from both teams, in close contact, battling for possession of the puck.

Shelf

AKA Top-shelf or Where mama hides the cookies; The top part of the goal, just under the crossbar.

Shift

The time period a player or players are on the ice before going back to the bench.

Shootout

A method of deciding a winner if the score is still tied after one overtime period. Each team designates five shooters and a goalie, and the teams alternate shots, with a different shooter each time. If the score remains tied after each team has taken five shots, five new shooters are designated and the shootout continues until one shooter scores and his counterpart on the other team fails to score.

Short side

The side of the goal cage where the goaltender is playing; so called because there's a smaller area to shoot at on that side.

Short-handed

Descriptive of a team that has fewer players on the ice than the opposition because of a penalty or penalties.

Shot on goal

A shot that goes in the net or would have gone in the net if it hadn't been blocked or deflected by the goalie or another defensive player.

Sideboards

The section of the boards along the side of the rink, between the goal lines.

Slap shot

A shot on which a player raises the stick in a full backswing and then drives through the puck with a strong follow through.

Slashing

A minor penalty that occurs when a player swings his stick hard at an opponent, whether or not contact is made; if injury is caused it becomes a major penalty and a game misconduct.

Slot

An area immediately in front of the goal and extending about 10 yards out, considered the best area from which to score a goal. The center usually tries to position himself in the slot when his team has control of the puck in the attacking zone.

Smoking section

The area just inside the blue line where defensemen wait eagerly for the puck to come back so they can shoot it hard toward the goal.

Smother the puck

To cover the puck with the hands or body. The goaltender is allowed to smother the puck in the goal crease when he's being challenged or checked by an opponent, but otherwise it's an illegal act that draws a minor penalty.

Snap shot

AKA Wrist shot; A quick shot made with a snap of the wrist, using little or no backswing.

Sniper

A player with an incredibly accurate shot who can score from anywhere in the offensive zone.

Spearing

Jabbing, or attempting to jab, a player's body with the point of the stick blade. Incurs a minor penalty if there's no contact, a major penalty plus a game misconduct penalty if there is contact, and a match penalty if the opponent is injured by the spearing.

Stacked pads

Stacked pads are a method that some goalies use to stop a shot. The goaltender lays on the ice and put both legs together facing the shooter.

Stand Up

A defensive player is said to stand up an attacker if they can position their body in front of the on rushing attacker in a manner so the attacker must slow down and stand straight up. In checking hockey this is usually done with a body check. However it can also be done in no-check hockey if the defender positions themselves directly in the path of the attacker and does not allow them to pass. The difference is subtle but the no-check defender must avoid throwing their weight into the attacker.

Stick

AKA Hockey stick; The primary instrument of play; Used to move the puck into the direction of the goal or another player.

Sudden-death overtime

An overtime period that ends, along with the game, as soon as goal is scored.

Sweep check

A stick check on which the defender puts the shaft and blade flat on the ice and sweeps it along the surface to knock the puck away from an opponent.

Tape to Tape

A pass that is very accurate. It goes from the tape on the passer's stick to the tape on the receiver's stick.

Texas hat trick

A term used to describe when a player scores four goals in a single game.

The box

The penalty box or a penalty killing formation in which four penalty killers form a square in their own zone, attempting to keep the play on the perimeter and away from their net.

Third man in

A player who gets involved in a fight between two other players; draws a game misconduct penalty.

Throw down

AKA Dance or Throw down; To drop the stick and gloves and fight an opposing player.

Time out

A 30-second stoppage of play during which a team and coach can discuss strategy. Each team is allowed one time out per game.

Too many players on the ice

An infraction that draws a bench minor penalty. It most often occurs when a team is trying to change on the fly and one of the forwards is late coming off the ice.

Top-shelf

AKA Shelf or Where mama hides the cookies; The top part of the goal, just under the crossbar.

Trap

A defensive style of play in which forechecking or carrying the puck is downplayed, and in which all five skaters attempt to prevent the opposition from crossing into its offensive zone.

Triangle

The defensive alignment generally used when a team is two players short because of penalties. The three remaining players form a triangle, with one of them near the top of the slot to cover the points, while the other two are near the goal cage.

Tripping

A minor penalty that occurs when a player places his stick or a part of his body under or around the feet or legs of an opponent causing him to lose his balance; will also be called if a player kicks an opponent's skates out from under him, or uses a knee or leg to cause his opponent to fall.

Umbrella

A formation often used by a team on the power play to spread the defense; so named because it resembles the shape of an open umbrella.

Waffle Pad

AKA Blocker pad; A large rectangular pad on the front of the goaltender's stick hand.

Washout

(1) A goal that is disallowed for one of several reasons, such as the puck being kicked into the goal cage, or being batted in with a high stick, indicated by a signal from a linesman that is similar to baseball's safe signal. (2) The same signal, indicating that no icing or offside violation is being called.

Wave off

When a stoppage of play is about to occur, the referee may decide to continue play by waving off the stoppage. Examples include icing and offside.

Where mama hides the cookies

AKA Shelf or Top-shelf; The top part of the goal, just under the crossbar.

Wing

AKA Winger or Wingman; One of the two forwards who flank the center and, with the center, make up a line; either a right wing or left wing.

Winger

AKA Wing or Wingman; One of the two forwards who flank the center and, with the center, make up a line; either a right wing or left wing.

Wingman

AKA Wing or Winger; One of the two forwards who flank the center and, with the center, make up a line; either a right wing or left wing.

Wrist shot

AKA Snap shot; A quick shot made with a snap of the wrist, using little or no backswing.

Zamboni

The machine used to clean and resurface the ice between periods. Invented by Frank Zamboni in 1949.

Zone

One of three areas demarcated by the blue lines; the attacking zone, defensive zone, or neutral zone.