Ice Hockey Terms

Question 1

Assist

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Body Check

Answer 2

When a hockey player bumps or slams into an opponent with either his hip or shoulder (the only legal moves) to block his progress or throw him off-balance; it is only allowed against an opponent in control of the puck or against the last player to control it.

Question 3

Defensive Men

Answer 3

Two players who make up a team’s defensive unit usually stationed in or near their defensive zone to help the goalie guard against attack; sometimes they lead an attack. The left defenseman covers the left half of the rink, the right defenseman plays to the right, but they can skate into each other’s territory.

Question 4

Face Off

Answer 4

The method of starting play; the dropping of the puck by the official between the sticks of two opposing players standing one stick length apart with stick blades flat on the ice; used to begin each period or to resume play when it has stopped for other reasons.

Question 5

Forwards

Answer 5

The three players who make up the attacking line or forward line of a team — the center and the right and left wings.

Question 6

Foul

Answer 6

Any infraction of the rules that will draw a penalty.

Question 7

Hat Trick

Answer 7

Three or more goals scored by a player in one game.

Question 8

High Sticking

Answer 8

A minor penalty which 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.

Question 9

Lead Pass

Answer 9

A pass sent ahead of a moving teammate designed to meet the player at the location he is headed.

Question 10

Passing

Answer 10

When one player uses his stick to send the puck to a teammate.

Question 11

Penalty

Answer 11

Punishment of a player for a violation of the rules, resulting in suspension from the game for a period of time; 6 types exist: minor, bench, major, misconduct, match and goalkeeper’s penalties.