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Hockey Lingo

A Basic Guide To Hockey Terminology

Assist:
Point awarded to a player or players for helping set up a goal; usually the last two offensive players to handle the puck prior to a goal being scored are credited for assists.

Boards:
The wooden and glass walls that surround the rink.

Body Check (14U & up...):
Using the hip or shoulder to impede the progress of an opponent who has the puck. The player applying the Body Check MUST attempt to play the puck AND keep the blade of their stick below the knees.

Breakaway:
A scoring opportunity that occurs when there are no defending players between the puck carrier and the opposing goaltender.

Celly:
Celebration - i.e. after a goal is scored.

Changing On The Fly:
Substitution of players without a stoppage in play.

Face-Off:
To initiate play, the puck is dropped between two opposing players who face each other.

Forechecking:
Pressuring the opposition when they control the puck in the neutral or defensive zone.

Hat Trick:
Three goals scored by one player in a single game.

Power Play:
When a team has more players on the ice because of a penalty (or penalties) called against the opposing team.

Pull The Goalie:
In an attempt to tie the score, a team trailing by one or two goals may take its goalie off the ice and send out an extra skater. This usually occurs in the closing minute(s) of a game.

Shorthanded:
When a team is forced to play with fewer than six players because one or more have been sent to the penalty box.

Slap Shot:
A sweeping motion with an accentuated back swing to shoot the puck (similar to a drive in golf).

Snap Shot:
Similar to a wrist shot but the puck is just in front of the blade of the stick.

Wrist Shot:
The motion of shooting with the puck directly against the blade of the stick.