Hockey glossary Flashcards
1-man advantage
(Also called a one-man advantage) When a team is short one player due to a penalty being incurred.
2 and ten
When an offending player gets a minor penalty and a ten-minute misconduct
2-man advantage
(Also called a two-man advantage) is when one team has had two players sent to the penalty box. This leaves the opponent with five skaters (i.e., not including the goaltender) to penalized team’s three.
2-on-1
When a team enters the attacking zone and outnumbers the opposing players in the zone.
3-on-2
When a team enters the attacking zone and outnumbers the opposing players in the zone.
5 and a game
a five-minute penalty that includes automatic expulsion from the game and, depending on the league, possibly subsequent games. Often called for attempts to deliberately injure an opponent, official or fan.
5-on-3
(Also called a two-man advantage) is when one team has had two players sent to the penalty box. This leaves the opponent with five skaters (i.e., not including the goaltender) to penalized team’s three.
5-on-4
(Also called a one-man advantage) When a team is short one player due to a penalty being incurred.
5-on-5
When both teams have five skaters and one goaltender on the ice.
angling
Pushing an opposing team’s player to the side in your defensive zone, keeping them out the middle of the defensive zone.
Apple
an assist
assist
Attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate.
attacking zone
The opposing team’s end of the ice; extends from the blue line to the end boards.
Babysitter
A babysitter is a term used for a star player that is put on a line with two players of less skill, almost as if he is babysitting their line. Example: Hey man how’s babysitting those two benders out there? They’re wrecking your plus/minus.
Backchecking
The act of skating back to your defensive zone and applying pressure to opposing players when they have possession of the puck and are on the rush. We often joke “what is backchecking”, because adult league players are notorious for not being very motivated backcheckers. It should be noted that backchecking is NOT the act of checking someone in the back with your stick. That is known as cross checking, and is a penalty.
backhand
A pass or shot that is taken from the backside of the blade of the stick.
Bar Down
A shot that hits the bottom of the crossbar and goes right down into the net. Such a shot is normally responsible for an enormous grin by the shooter and for oohs and aahs from everyone else (except maybe the goalie).
Barn
A rink or arena. As in “They have to come play in our barn tonight.”
Barnburner
a high-scoring game
Beauty/Beautician
A player that is talented, both on and off the ice, and loved by his teammates.
Bender
A bender is widely-used term for players who are terrible at skating and look as if their skates aren’t tied tight enough because their ankles bend when they stand on them. No offense to Holmstrom as he is great at doing what he does and has been for the better part of a decade, but he is a terrible skater and looks like he needs his mom to tie his skates tighter for him. Example: That bender looks like his ankles are going to snap under his own weight, he needs to get off the ice before I dangle him.
best-on-best
A competition featuring the most elite level of players possible. Most commonly used in the context of men’s international tournaments that allow professional players and are held at a time that does not conflict with league schedules.
Biscuit
The puck
black ace
A minor professional league or junior amateur league player recalled to their parent NHL club for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
blocker
The rectangular pad that a goaltender wears on the stick-holding hand.
blue line
The lines separating the attacking and defending zones from the neutral zone.
blueliner
A defenseman.
boarding
Checking a defenseless player and causing them to violently impact the boards. A penalty.
boards
Glass walls that surround the playing surface.
body check
Using the hip or body to knock an opponent, sometimes against the boards or to the ice. Illegal in the women’s game.
Bottle rocket
when a goal breaks the goalie’s water bottle that sits on top of the net
box
penalty box
Break out
When a team gains control of the puck in their defensive end they will “break out” with the puck to go on the attack. Most teams have established break out plays to accomplish this important part of the game.
breakaway
When a player has possession of the puck and there are no defenders other than the goalie between the player and the opposing goal.
Breezers
Simply put, hockey pants. Example: HA! You got deked outta your breezers back there eh?!
Bucket
A hockey helmet. Example: He clocked him so hard he knocked his bucket off his dome!
butt-ending
The act of jabbing an opponent with the knob of their stick. A major plus a game misconduct penalty.
butterfly
A style of goaltending wherein the goalie tends to drop to their knees to cover the lower half of the net with their leg pads.
C
Indicates captain
cage
Metal grid that attaches to the front of a helmet to protect the face; occasionally also refers to the goal.
captain
A designated player that is allowed to talk with the referees about rule interpretations. Consists of one captain and 2 or 3 alternate captains.
catcher or catching glove
The webbed glove that the goaltender wears on the hand opposite the stick. (Also known as a trapper.)
Celly
A celebration after a goal that is more than just raising your arms. Fist pumps, jumping against the boards, riding the stick and down-on-one-knee are popular cellys. When overdone, a celly can become a target for trash talk. Example: Did you see that bender’s celly, you’d think that was his first goal ever.
Centre (or center)
A forward position whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice.
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
The act of taking more than three strides while delivering a body check or leaving their feet to deliver a hit. A penalty.
check to the head
A hit where the primary contact is made to an opponent’s head. A major or match penalty in the NHL if such a hit is made from a lateral or blind side position. In other leagues and organizations, any check to the head can be a minor or major penalty, often including an automatic misconduct or game misconduct penalty.
checking from behind
The act of hitting an opponent from the back when they are unaware the hit is coming. A penalty.
Cheese
the top shelf of the net
Cherry Picker
A player who stays at center ice and does not help their team on defense. They hope to pick up a break out pass with no defenders in their way.
Chiclets
teeth
Chip
We normally use the term “chip” in the context of “chip off the boards”. This is where the puck is shot off the boards, normally up off the ice. The purpose could be to merely clear the puck out of the zone. More often it is a passing maneuver, where you are chipping the puck off the boards to a space where you expect your teammate to be able to get it. However, you can even chip it off the boards to yourself, as a means of getting around an opponent.
Chirp
Another term for trash talk, often leads to fantastic sound and video clips for YouTube. Example: Are you gonna let that bender chirp you like that?
Clapper
A slapshot. Used when yelling from the bench as it feels faster to yell than slapshot. Speculated origin is from the noise the puck makes when hitting the stick at such a high velocity. Example: Fire a clapper! This tender is scared of them!
clipping
Hitting an opponent below the knees. A penalty.
coincidental penalties
When both teams are assessed an equal number of penalties at the same time, usually on the same play or incident.
cover 1
When a team has one defenseman stay back and play high to slow down breakaways, allowing the other defensemen to play a more offensive role.
crashing the net
Players head with full steam to the front of the net, usually with intentions of finding a rebound or loose puck. Also known as crashing the crease.
crease
An area of the ice that extends from the goal line in front of the net, often shaped like a semicircle and painted in a different colour.
cross-checking
The act of checking an opponent with the shaft of the stick held in both hands. A penalty.
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.
Dangle
when a player is a deke (or decoy) by making moves to fake out the goalie or opposing player; also used to describe the act of stick-handling
dasher
The boards, referred to when a player caroms the puck off the boards to clear the puck of their defensive zone or to execute a pass.
defenceman
(alternately spelled “defenseman” in the U.S.) One of two players that are positioned further back on the ice than the forwards.
defensive zone
The defending team’s zone; extends from the blue line to the end boards.
Deke
A deke is used by an offensive player with the puck to confuse a defender or goalie. It is a fake or feint move. A common deke is to lower the shoulder in one direction but actually turn in the other.
Delayed Penalty
A penalty that has not yet resulted in a stoppage of play because the team that will have the man advantage is in possession of the puck. Play continues until the team being penalized gains control of the puck. The referee will raise his arm indicating that there is a delayed penalty situation. The team with possession will send their goalie off the ice in exchange for another attacker, as it would be nearly impossible for the penalized team to score, as play will stop when the penalized team gets the puck. This essentially extends the length of time the non-penalized team has the man advantage. If a goal is scored before the play is stopped, then the penalty is waived off.
Dirty
term to describe an outstanding deke
Dots
“The dots” is short for face-off dots, or the dots into which the referee drops the puck during a face off.
Dump and Chase
An offensive strategy used to get the puck over the opposing team’s blue line and into the corners where players can race to get it, thereby moving the play into the attacking zone.
Duster
The term ‘duster’ is referring to a player who sits on the bench and collects dust, only played when a team is up by a lot of goals just so he can get some playing time. Often, the duster is used to separate the offense from the defense when sitting on the bench. Example: Man they are down by so many goals they even let the duster have a shift.
Egg
when the game ends 0-0
elbowing
The act of using an extended elbow or forearm to make contact with an opponent. A penalty.
empty net goal
A goal scored when the opposing goalie is not on the ice.
enforcer
A player quick to fight who defends their teammates against violent members of the other team.
even strength
Teams have an equal number of players (not necessarily their full complement of five) on the ice.
extra attacker
A player who has been substituted for the team’s goaltender on the ice.
Face wash
when a player rubs the palm of their glove in an opponent’s face simply to annoy them
faceoff
The method used to begin play at the beginning of a period or after a stoppage of play. The two teams line up in opposition to each other. One player from each team attempts to gain control of the puck after it is dropped by an official between their sticks onto a face-off spot on the ice.
faceoff spot
One of nine painted circles on the ice where a faceoff may occur. Two in each attacking/defending zone, two each near the corners of the neutral zone, and one at centre ice.
fighting
When two or more players punch each other repeatedly. Fights are also called scraps, tussles, fisticuffs, and scuffles amongst other terms. Combatants are each assessed a major penalty, and results in a game misconduct in many leagues.
Filthy
another term for a great deke or pass, like “dirty”
five on five
When both teams have five skaters and one goaltender on the ice.
five on four
(Also called a one-man advantage) When a team is short one player due to a penalty being incurred.
five on three
(Also called a two-man advantage) is when one team has had two players sent to the penalty box. This leaves the opponent with five skaters (i.e., not including the goaltender) to penalized team’s three.
five-hole
The gap between a goaltender’s legs.
Flamingo
when a player lifts one leg, standing like a flamingo, to get out of the way of a shot
Flow
Great hockey hair. Typically longer hair that “flows” out of the helmet. A young Jaromir Jagr sported some great flow.
Forecheck
Checking, battling or applying pressure to the opponent in an attempt to retrieve the puck while in your offensive zone when the other team has possession. Forecheck is also a hockey slang term. In the slang term, the meaning is one of approaching a member of the opposite sex, typically while out at the bar, in an attempt to solicit a phone number or date. As in: “Where’s Joe?” “Oh, he’s up at the bar forechecking that entire bachelorette party.”
Free Agent
A term that hockey players use to describe a single hockey player. Free to utilize the status of hockey player to attract puck bunnies. Example: Man now that you left your girl and are a free agent you can bring all those puck bunnies back after the game!
freezing the puck
The act of trapping the puck so it cannot be played.
full strength
When both teams have five skaters and one goaltender on the ice.
Game misconduct
A player is suspended for the remainder of the game if they receive a game misconduct. Their team continues to play at full strength unless a minor penalty is also assessed.
Gino
a goal that is scored
goal
When the puck goes over the goal line in front of the net.
goal crease
An area of the ice that extends from the goal line in front of the net, often shaped like a semicircle and painted in a different colour.
goal judge
An off-ice official who signals when a goal has been scored, usually by turning a red light on above the net.
goal line
The line that extents from the post to the boards and if the puck crosses the line in front of the net it is a goal.
Goalie-holesFive hole
The potential scoring areas around a goal are numbered from one to four starting in the lower right corner and proceeding clockwise at each corner of the net. The “5 hole” is between the goalie’s legs.
goaltender
A player, aka “goalie,” who plays in and around the goal (net), whose job it is to make “saves,” i.e., prevent the other team from making goals, by stopping the puck from crossing the goal line.
golden goal
Another term for an overtime game-winning goal.
Gongshow
This is a word that has a couple of meanings to it and has been recently reestablished by gongshow gear, a line of hockey apparel. Gongshow Gear defines gongshow as: 1. A lifestyle defined and perfected by hockey players; 2. Passion for the game on the ice combined with a love for the party off the ice; 3. A unique code of ethics shared amongst hockey players that is widely unknown to others; 4. The biggest underground hockey fraternity in the world. Example: Lovin’ this gongshow, our game is going to be crazy Saturday but not nearly as crazy as the afterparty! Many others refer to gongshow in its original meaning which is a hockey game that has gotten out of control with ridiculous fights, goals or other crazy events. Example: Did you see that gongshow last night? There was a bench-clearing brawl and this puck bunny got thrown out for flashing a guy in the penalty box!
goon
A general term for either an enforcer or a pest, depending on the situation.
Gordie Howe hat trick
A Gordie Howe hat trick is when one player scores a goal, notches an assist and gets into a fight all in the same game (a natural Gordie Howe hat trick occurs when a player does all three in one period).
Grinder
An enforcer brought onto the team to protect the star players. In today’s NHL, enforcers must be talented as well—unlike the old NHL when all they had to do was fight. Example: Man Probert was such a Pipe-fitter, he could clean someones clock with one punch.
Grocery Stick
A player that sits on the bench the entire game between the forwards and the defensemen, acting like a separator you would use on the conveyor belt at the grocery store to separate your groceries from the next customer in line.
gross misconduct
A game misconduct penalty for gross unsportsmanlike conduct when a player or coach makes a travesty of the game.
Guts of the Ice
This is simply the area of the ice between the dots, over the entire length of the ice. We typically use this term in the context of “defending the guts of the ice”. What we mean by that is that we want to keep attacking players from attacking our zone up the middle, or guts of the ice. Rather, we try to keep them “outside the dots”, meaning between the faceoff dots and the boards.
half wall
Midway between the point and the corner along the board.
hand pass
The act of passing the puck using one’s hand.This is legal inside a team’s defensive zone, but illegal in the neutral zone and attacking zone, even if the pass originates from another zone.
Hash marks
Hash marks are small lines, which are perpendicular to the edge of the face off circles. Players cannot encroach on the hash mark areas during face-offs.
Hat Trick
When a player scores three goals in a game it is known as a hat trick. Three goals in a row is a “pure” hat trick.?
hat-trick
When one player scores three goals in one game. Fans will honor the player by throwing their hats onto the ice.
Hatty
A hatty is a slang term for the phrase hat-trick, when a player scores three goals in a game, resulting in fans throwing their hats onto the ice.
head contact
The intentional or unintentional act of contacting a player above the shoulders with any part of the body or stick. In Canadian minor hockey this is a minor penalty, or a double minor penalty if the contact is intentional.
head-butting
The act of deliberately hitting an opponent or directing the puck into the net when leading with one’s head. Headbutting an opponent is a penalty, but headbutting the puck into the net results in no goal.
Headman the puck
When a player passes to a teammate that is ahead of them on the attack this is headmanning the puck.
healthy scratch
An uninjured player on the roster who does not dress for a game. Only 20 players (22 in international competition) are allowed to dress for a game, players who are not going to play are considered scratches.
high stick
(i) (high-sticking) The act of hitting a player in the head or shoulders with a stick. A penalty (a single minor if no blood is drawn; a double minor if blood is drawn). (ii) Contacting the puck with a stick that is raised above the shoulders. If the puck is subsequently contacted again by the offending player or a teammate before an opponent touches it, the play is blown dead. A goal scored as a result of a puck being contacted by an attacking player’s stick raised above the crossbar shall be disallowed.
hip check
Using the hip to knock an opponent against the boards or to the ice.
hit
a body check that “removes the opposing player from the puck.”
holding
The act of impeding an opponent by grabbing onto them. A penalty.
holding the stick
The act of grabbing an opponent’s stick. A penalty.
home-ice advantage
The ability to make the last line change.
hooking
The act of impeding an opponent by placing the blade of a stick into their body. A penalty.
Hoser
A common Canadian hockey term almost as old as the game itself that means basically, a loser. Derives its meaning from pre-zamboni games when the losers were in charge of hosing off the ice to refreeze cuts made by the skates. Example: Get off the ice you hoser! You lost!
Hoser or Hose-head
A derogatory term. It is believed to have originated from the early days of hockey (before the invention of the Zamboni) when the losing team had to hose down the ice with water after the game.
house
The area in the middle of the defensive zone, typically where players prefer to shoot the puck.
howitzer
A very fast slap shot
ice resurfacer
A vehicle that reconditions ice before play and between periods of a game to smooth out and clean the ice for optimal glide of both puck and skate. Many may know this from the developer and brand name, Zamboni.
icing
Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck across both the center red line and the opposing team’s goal line without the puck going into the net or being able to be touched by an opposing player in their neutral or defensive zones. When icing occurs, a linesman stops play. Play is resumed with a faceoff in the defending zone of the team that committed the infraction. In the NHL and many professional leagues, icing can be negated if a player from the team committing the icing touches the puck before a defender, in which case play continues (the linesman nearest the puck will indicate this with a “washout” signal). In many amateur leagues, the no-touch icing rule is used, meaning play stops as soon as the puck crosses the goal line. The NHL adopted a rule where the team that committed the infraction is unable to make a line change during the stoppage to discourage teams from icing the puck to “get a whistle” and change lines; this change has been adopted by many pro and high-level amateur leagues, but not all.
Interference
A two minute minor penalty will be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent’s hand or who prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it.
iron cross
A strategy used by a team defending against a five-on-three advantage. The two defencemen, a forward, and the goaltender align themselves in a diamond shape so that imaginary lines drawn through the two defencemen and through the forward and goaltender form the shape of a cross. This is usually a highly defensive strategy, designed to kill off a penalty as safely as possible.
kicking
(i) The act of propelling the puck using the skates. A goal may not be scored by kicking a puck into the opposing team’s net. (ii) The act of kicking an opposing player. A match penalty.
kneeing
The act of making contact with an opposing player when leading with an outstretched knee. A penalty.
Kronwalled
a huge hit by a defenseman, named after Red Wings star Niklas Kronwall
left wing
A winger is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. A right winger is responsible for the right-hand side of the ice and a left winger is responsible for the left-hand side.
left wing lock
The left wing lock is a defensive ice hockey strategy similar to the neutral zone trap. In the most basic form, once puck possession changes, the left wing moves back in line with the defensemen. Each defender (including the left winger) play a zone defense and are responsible for a third of the ice each. Since there are normally only two defensemen, this tactic helps to avoid odd man rushes.
Lettuce
A great head of hockey hair. See also flow, salad.
Light the Lamp
scoring a goal — a red light goes off behind the net when a team scores a goal
limoges
To score an own goal, i.e.: when a defensive player scores into their own net.
line
A combination of a specific left winger, center, and right winger. Most teams, for the sake of chemistry, maintain specific three-man lines for different situations (first and second lines for scoring, third lines for defensive-oriented grinders, and fourth lines for pests and enforcers). Lines that play together for several years have become famous in their own right (such as the Russian Five and the French Connection).
line brawl
A series of fights involving most, or all, players on the ice at the same time.
line change
During play, or after a whistle, a team may choose to switch out their forwards and/or their defensemen, in order to keep their players fresh, or to match certain players against certain opposing players.
linesman
An official responsible for conducting most faceoffs and for calling off-side and icing infractions. Can call some penalties. Usually two linesmen on the ice during a game.
Lip lettuce
a mustache
Long Change
In the second period, the goaltenders change ends, meaning that the players’ bench is closer to the offensive zone rather than the defensive zone. The “long change” can be a factor when a tired line is stuck in the defensive zone and cannot come off due to the increased distance to the bench.
major penalty
A five-minute penalty
man advantage
When one team is penalized, and one of its players sent to the penalty box, the second team maintains a man advantage for the duration of the penalty (major penalty) or until a goal is scored (minor penalty). If two penalties are called on one team there will be a two-man advantage. If more than two penalties are called on one team the man advantage is limited to two men.
match penalty
a five-minute penalty that includes automatic expulsion from the game and, depending on the league, possibly subsequent games. Often called for attempts to deliberately injure an opponent, official or fan.
Michigan
Also called a “high wrap,” or simply the “lacrosse move,” the maneuver of lifting the puck with the stick and throwing it under the top corner of the goal, while skating behind the net, while the goaltender protects the bottom corner. Bill Armstrong invented the move, but Mike Legg made it into a permanent sports reel staple while playing for the University of Michigan. Using the Michigan in a full-speed variation, Mikael Granlund scored a goal at the 2011 IIHF World Championship semifinal versus Russia, helping Finland progress into the final.
minor penalty
A two-minute penalty.
misconduct
A penalty where the offending player is ruled off the ice for 10 minutes, but may be substituted for on the ice.
Mitts
A player’s hands or gloves. Gordie Howe was known to have large mitts (hands), and he was not afraid to “drop the mitts” (fight).
Mucker
A grinder is a bit different from the other three being a player that digs deep and hustles hard for his spot on the team and is not afraid to throw down if need be.
Muffin
a shot that should have been stopped after wavering back and forth in the air all the way to the net
natural hat-trick
A player scores three goals successively in one period.
Natural Hatty
A hatty is a slang term for the phrase hat-trick, when a player scores three goals in a game, resulting in fans throwing their hats onto the ice. Natural hatty is used when a player scores three goals in one period OR when scoring three goals in a game as long as no other goals occurred in between. Also can be referred to outside of hockey when a player indulges in the love-making with three women or puck bunnies. Example: One more this period and you’ve got a natural hatty bro!
net front presence
An offensive tactic of screening the opposing goaltender, looking to tip shots from farther out, and/or collecting rebounds from the goaltender.
netminder
A player, aka “goalie,” who plays in and around the goal (net), whose job it is to make “saves,” i.e., prevent the other team from making goals, by stopping the puck from crossing the goal line.
neutral zone
Area of the ice between the blue lines
neutral zone trap
A defensive strategy focused on preventing the opposing team from proceeding with the puck through the neutral zone (the area between both blue lines) and attempting to take the puck from the opposing team.
Odd Man Rush
When the number of offensive players heading into the attacking zone is greater than the number of defenders, such as a 3-on-2 or a 2-on-1.
odd-man rush
When a team enters the attacking zone and outnumbers the opposing players in the zone.
offensive zone
The opposing team’s end of the ice; extends from the blue line to the end boards.
official
A person who regulates game play, either on or off the ice.
offside
When player on the attacking team does not control the puck and is in the offensive zone when a different attacking player causes the puck to enter the offensive zone, until either the puck or all attacking players leave the offensive zone.
Offsides
An offsides is called when a player precedes the puck into the offensive zone as indicated by the blue line. When an offside occurs the referee stops play and the face off occurs outside the offensive zone.
Olympic Sheet
An NHL rink is 85’ x 200’. An Olympic rink (or sheet) is 100’ x 200’. International competitions are generally played on Olympic sheets. This additional 15’ of width can have a dramatic effect on opening up faster play.
one-timer
The act of shooting the puck directly off a pass without playing the puck in any way.
overtime
An extra session of play added on after the full regulation time has concluded in order to resolve a tie. The first team to score in overtime wins the game.
own goal
The act of a team (usually unintentionally) shooting the puck into their own net instead of their opponent’s. For statistical purposes, the last player on the opposing team to touch the puck is awarded the goal.
paddle
The wide portion above the blade of a goalie’s stick.
PairWise Rankings
A ranking system for NCAA Division I men’s hockey maintained by the U.S. College Hockey Online website. This system plays a major role in the NCAA tournament selection process.
passive box
A defensive formation that a Shorthanded team can use during a Penalty kill. Requires fours players to form a box in front of their goaltender. The two players closest to the goalie are usually defenders. They prevent the attacking team from scoring from the sides, and directly in front of the goal net. The two players farthest from the goal net interfere with attacking defender, and cross ice passes. All four players remain in front of the net, in roughly the same position for the entire Penalty kill shift, regardless of how the attacking team moves. This is why it is called passive.
penalty box
The area where a player sits to serve the time of a given penalty.
penalty kill
A team is said to be shorthanded when they have fewer players on the ice than the opposing team as a result of a penalty or penalties. Also refers to lineups, tactics and play by a team during the shorthanded period. Icing is not enforced on a shorthanded team. Referred to as PK.
penalty shot
A penalty shot is assessed when a defender is in extreme violation of a rule to prevent a scoring opportunity. Examples are tripping a breakaway opponent from behind, the throwing of a stick or use of hands on the puck by a defender other than the goalie. The offensive player is awarded an opportunity to take control of the puck at center ice and skate in on the defending goalie one on one in an attempt to score.
pest
A player known for agitating opposing players, usually through frequent hitting, sometimes of questionable legality.
Pillows
the goaltender’s leg pads
Pinch
A pinch is when a defenseman either (a) attempts to hold the offensive blue line when the opponent has the puck and is attempting to clear their zone, or (b) leaves the blue line and pushes further into the offensive zone to play the puck. In both cases, the defenseman is making a gamble that he is going to win the puck battle, and thus improve his team’s chance of scoring. The risk is that he loses, and the other team goes on the attack with an odd man rush. It is considered a risky play, which requires good judgment. A defenseman who loses a lot of pinches can expect to be scolded by his coach and/or teammates.
Pipe-Fitter
An enforcer brought onto the team to protect the star players. In today’s NHL, enforcers must be talented as well—unlike the old NHL when all they had to do was fight. Example: Man Probert was such a Pipe-fitter, he could clean someones clock with one punch.
PK
Penalty Kill
playmaker
(i) A fast player who usually has more assists than goals. A Playmaker has the speed and balance to make plays, and frequently relies on a sniper to finish them. (ii) A player has three assists in one game.
playoff beard
The superstitious practice of a hockey player not shaving off his facial hair during the playoffs, consequently growing a beard.
Plumber
Similar to a Grinder. Not the most skilled player, but a hard worker who will battle in the corners and in front of the net.
Plus/Minus
When a goal is scored for a player’s team while the player is on the ice it is counted as +1. If a goal is scored against a player’s team while the player is one the ice it counted as -1. The total for the player is known as plus/minus. A high positive plus/minus number would be indicative of a player who is helping his team. The opposite is true for a player with a high negative plus/minus number. So even if a player scores a lot of goals, if his plus/minus is high negative, this is an indication that the player is not helping out defensively. Of course, there are other factors to be considered. This is just an indicator.
plus-minus
A hockey statistic that can apply to a player or an offensive or defensive line indicating whether they were on the ice when the opposing team scored (a minus) or on the ice when their team scored (a plus). Goals scored when on a power-play or a penalty kill do not count for a player’s plus or minus, respectively, unless a goal is scored while the scoring team is shorthanded.
Point
The point is an area just inside the blue line of the attacking zone. It is normally occupied by the attacking team’s defensive players.
poke check
Using the stick to poke the puck away from an opponent.
pond hockey
A form of outdoor hockey similar to shinny. A fan might state that their team ‘looks like they’re playing pond hockey’ if the players are not displaying the heart or concentration upon the game that their elite professional level demands.
post-game handshake
A handshake between opposing players, who line up parallel to each other, at centre ice, after a game. (In the NHL post-game handshakes are usually reserved until the end of a playoff series and are not a normal event during the regular season).
power forward
A power forward is a large, muscular offensive player (6’0” - 6’5”, 210 to 240 pounds), with the mobility to track a puck to the corners of the rink, the physical toughness required to dig it out, and the puck-handling skills to get it back to anyone in front of the net.
power move
The act of using speed and strength to cut to the net. Sometimes done by moving towards the boards before taking a sharp turn towards the net.
power play
A power play occurs when one team has more players on the ice than the other team as a result of penalties assessed to the shorthanded team.
Puck Bunny
A puck bunny is often defined as an attractive lady who hangs out at ice rinks trying to get players’ attention for their own “benefit” rather than coming to watch the hockey game. They often love the sport of hockey and love the players even more. Example: Dude, after I scored that natural hatty I took that puck bunny back to the party and got crazy! ? Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content
pull the goalie
Remove the goalie from the ice in order to temporarily replace them with an extra skater (attacker).
Pylon
A pylon is obviously an orange cone, but they are used in nearly every hockey practice. A pylon in a hockey sense of the word refers to a defensemen that stands there and gets walked much like pylons do in practice. Example: You walked that D and made him look like a pylon.
quarterback
Generally, an offensive defenceman that plays one of the points on the power play, and is adept at skating and handling the puck.
quick whistle
A stoppage in play that occasionally occurs when an on-ice official view of the puck is obstructed while the puck is still moving or playable, but the official stops the play with a whistle. The most common example of this is a goaltender appearing to have trapped the puck underneath their catcher, yet the puck is still freely moving and within legal striking distance of the opposing players. The official will whistle the play “dead” with the puck still visible to others.
rebound
A rebound occurs when the puck bounces off a goalie, a player, or the net (or occasionally, the back boards) after a shot on goal.
red line
The line denoting the middle of the ice surface, length-wise.
referee
The official in charge of the game. Responsible for maintaining the flow of the game, calling penalties and starting and stopping play. Can be one or two referees on the ice during a game.
referee’s crease
The semi-circular area at the red line, beside the scorer’s bench, into which a player may not enter when occupied by a referee (during a stoppage of play).
right wing
A winger is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. A right winger is responsible for the right-hand side of the ice and a left winger is responsible for the left-hand side.
Ringer
A term often used to refer to a player illegally brought into a drop-in or beer league hockey game that is significantly better than the rest of the players on the team. Usually only plays a limited amount of games so the league does not find out. Example: Dude we totally would of won that game if that damn ringer didn’t show up! He must of had a hatty in the first period.
rink
The playing surface
roughing
The act of contacting an opponent with the hand or fist when making a punching motion. A penalty.
Salad
Beautiful hockey hair. See also flow, lettuce.
Sauce
Short for Saucer pass
saucer pass
An airborne pass from one player to another. It is called a saucer pass because the puck resembles a flying saucer in mid air. Actually a low lob pass, barely off the ice but high enough to clear a defender’s stick blade.
save
To stop the puck from crossing the goal line, preventing the opposing team from scoring a goal.
Scoring Chance
A scoring chance is defined as a clear play directed toward the opposing net from a dangerous scoring area – loosely defined as the top of the circle in and inside the faceoff dots, though sometimes slightly more generous than that depending on the amount of immediately-preceding puck movement or screens in front of the net. Blocked shots are generally not included but missed shots are. A player is awarded a scoring chance anytime he is on the ice and someone from either team has a chance to score. He is awarded a “chance for” if someone on his team has a chance to score and a “chance against” if the opposing team has a chance to score.
screened shot
A shot that the goaltender cannot see due to other players obscuring it.
shaft
The long part of the stick that is straight and is held by the player.
shift
The period of time a player, line or defensive pairing is on the ice before being replaced by another.
shootout
A series of penalty shots by both teams to determine the winning team after a regulation game and overtime period ends in a tie. In the NHL this occurs only during the regular season.
shorthanded
A team is said to be shorthanded when they have fewer players on the ice than the opposing team as a result of a penalty or penalties.
shortside
The side of the goal closest to the shooter.
shot on goal
A shot that will enter the goal if it is not stopped by the goaltender. Shots that either hit the side of the net or miss the goal completely do not count as shots on goal, nor do shots that hit a goalpost or crossbar and do not cross the goal line. Similarly, shots that are stopped or otherwise played by the goalie that would not, according to the judgment of the official scorer, have scored are not counted as shots on goal.
shutdown pair
Two forwards or defensemen working together, fundamentally to stop the opposing team’s offense players.
shutdown player
A player skilled at defensive play.
Sieve
A really awful goalie that has a lot of holes through which to score.
Sin-bin
the penalty box
skatemill
A device for practising skating techniques
skater
Any player who is not a goaltender.
slapshot
A slapshot is a hard shot, usually with a big wind up, wherein the player bends their stick on the ice and allows the energy stored in bending the stick to launch the puck forward.
slashing
The act of contacting an opponent’s body or stick with one’s own as a result of a swinging motion. A penalty.
slew foot
Sweeping or kicking out a player’s skate or tripping them from behind, causing them to fall backwards. A match penalty.
Slot
A prime scoring area located between the faceoff circles and in front of the goal.
slow whistle
When an official is slow to blow their whistle compared to when the whistle would be blown under similar circumstances.
snap shot
The purpose of the snap shot is to combine the main advantages of the wrist shot (shot accuracy and quick delivery) and the slap shot (puck speed). Unlike a slap shot, there is no backswing windup, and very little follow through.
Snipe/Sniper
A very commonly used term that most hockey fans should already know that refers to an insane shot that places the puck in a tiny space for a goal. A sniper is a player who can do this on a regular basis. Example: Dangle, Snipe, Celly, the perfect combination.
sniper
A player with a powerful, accurate shot skilled at finishing plays. From the military term of the same name.
spearing
The act of jabbing an opponent with the blade of the stick. A double-minor penalty at minimum.
special teams
A collective term for the players that play on the power play and shorthanded units.
spin-o-rama
A phrase coined by sportscaster Danny Gallivan that refers to a player completing several tight circles with the puck fully under control of their stick, eluding pursuing opponents who cannot keep up or intercept the player. Currently banned in shootouts in the NHL.
stack the pads
A save wherein the goaltender drops to one side and makes the save with their leg pads stacked horizontally atop one another.
standup goalie
A goalie that often stays on their skates when a player shoots, as opposed to a butterfly goalie.
stay-at-home defenseman
A defenseman who plays very defensively. They do not skate with the puck toward the offensive zone very often, but will look to pass first. Usually the last player to leave their defensive zone.
stick checking
Using the stick to interfere with an opponent’s stick.
stickhandling
The act of controlling the puck with one’s stick, especially while maneuvering through opponents.
Strong Side/Weak Side
The strong side is the side of the ice where the puck (and most of the players) are located. The weak side is the other side. We speak of moving the puck from the strong side to the weak side of the ice to get away from pressure. Once the puck goes to the other side (and players follow), then that becomes the strong side.
suicide pass
A long pass to a moving teammate’s feet . This causes the teammate to look down and be open to a devastating body check as the teammate receives the puck.
Sweater
hockey jersey
tag up
The act of returning to the neutral zone after a delayed offside is signaled by the linesman.
tap-in
A shot very close to the net that no opposing player or goaltender is able to block/save.
Tender
Another simple term for the goalie. Derived from the shortened version of the word goaltender. Example: That tender robbed you on that slapshot.
The House
“The House” is the area from the goal posts to the face off dots to the tops of the circles, and is best defined with a picture (see illustration at right). Defensively, we talk about “protecting the house”. This is because this is the area from which most goals are scored. Thus, we want to keep our opponents from having opportunities to shoot from inside the house.
Toe Drag
A toe drag is a fairly new move which consists of holding the puck out on a players forehand to tempt the defenseman and when the D makes a move for the puck, the offensive player then uses the “toe” of his stick to pull the puck backwards and then towards him to walk around the D. When used effectively, it can make defense look like a pylon. Notorious toe-draggers are often known as “danglers”. Example: That toe drag was so sick, you made the defenseman look like a bender.
toepick
Falling down due to the toe of the skate hitting the ice at a sharp angle.
Top Cheese/Top Cheddar
Used to describe a shot that scores in the top of the net, either off or just below the crossbar.
Top shelf
“where grandma keeps the good stuff” — the upper section of the goal’s net between the crossbar and the goaltender’s shoulders
trap
Also called the “neutral zone trap”, is a defensive-style hockey strategy in which a team loads up the neutral zone with players so that the opposing team has a difficult time crossing the blue line and gaining the zone.
trapezoid
In the NHL, the trapezoidal area behind the goal line and net where the goaltender may touch the puck. A minor penalty (delay of game) is assessed if the goaltender plays the puck behind the goal line outside of the trapezoid.
trapper
The webbed glove that the goaltender wears on the hand opposite the stick. (Also known as a trapper.)
tripping
The act of knocking an opponent down by taking their feet out from under them using a stick or part of the body. A penalty.
turnbuckle
The area on both ends of a bench where the edge of the glass is padded and meets the boards at a right angle. Players have been checked into the turnbuckles causing serious injury. The NHL has replaced this with rounded corners as a safer alternative.
Twig
A hockey stick (even though very few are made from wood anymore)
two-way forward
A forward who handles the defensive aspects of the game as well as the offensive aspects.
umbrella
An offensive strategy used by an attacking team, usually during a powerplay. It requires five players in the offensive zone to form an umbrella formation around the opposite team’s goal net. There is one player at the point, one player on either side of the boards and two players in front of the net.
unsportsmanlike
An action of a player that results in a 2-minute minor penalty deemed by the referee to be a minor act not severe enough to warrant a 10-minute misconduct or game misconduct.
video goal judge
An off-ice official who reviews a goal by video instant replay.
waffle
The goalie’s blocker. This term stemmed from the visual appearance of the blocker in the pre-modern ice hockey equipment era (also refer to waffle-boarding).
war room
In the NHL, an office in Toronto headquarters where games are viewed and reviewed.
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 offsides.
Wheel
To wheel is a term often used in the phrase “turn and wheel”, meaning turn and go—either skating full force or to turn and fire a clapper.
Wheelhouse
Wheelhouse is refering to when a player turns to fire a slapshot and the puck is perfectly positioned in comparison to the player’s stance so he can fire a laser. Example: That puck was right in my wheelhouse and that slapshot was so hard!
wholesale change
A team may, during play or after a whistle, choose to switch out their forwards or defenseman. A wholesale change is when all 5 players (3 forwards and 2 defenseman) are changed at the same time.
Windmill
When a goalie makes a glove save and the momentum of raising his glove swings his hand up over his head much like a windmill. Often causes accusations of over-acting, Dominik Hasek being a prime example. Example: That windmill should make Sportcenter’s Top 10!
winger
A winger is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. A right winger is responsible for the right-hand side of the ice and a left winger is responsible for the left-hand side.
wraparound
When an attacking player controls the puck behind the opposition’s net and attempts to score by reaching around the side of the net
wrist shot
A type of shot that involves using arm muscles (especially those in the wrist and forearm) to propel a puck forward from the open-faced, concave part of the blade of a hockey stick
Yard Sale
when a player gets hit so hard that he loses his equipment (stick, helmet, or gloves) and they’re left on the ice after the play
Zamboni
A popular brand of ice resurfacer
zone
One of three areas of the ice as divided by the blue lines. See attacking zone, neutral zone or defensive zone
