Hockey

An empty-netter is a goal scored in hockey when the opposing team’s net is left unguarded, usually because the goalie has been pulled to add an extra skater for an offensive advantage. The player takes advantage of the open net, often shooting from a distance to score. Empty-net goals typically occur in the final moments of a game when one team is trailing and takes the risk of removing their goalie to try to tie or win the game. Scoring an empty-netter can help seal a victory and is often seen as an easy goal since there is no goalie to block the shot.

A wrist shot is a type of hockey shot where the player uses the wrist to flick the puck toward the goal. The player holds the stick with both hands, and while keeping the puck close to the blade, they quickly snap their wrists to propel the puck with speed and accuracy. The wrist shot is often used for its quick release and ability to make accurate shots, especially when the player is in close range to the goal. It is a versatile shot that can be used for both powerful and precise attempts, making it a valuable skill for scoring in hockey.

A slapshot is a powerful hockey shot where the player swings the stick back and then strikes the puck with a quick, forceful motion. The player usually brings the stick low to the ice, and as they move it forward, they hit the puck with the blade to send it flying toward the goal with great speed. Slapshots are often used from a distance to generate maximum power, making them difficult for the goalie to stop. This type of shot is commonly seen during offensive plays, especially on power plays or from the blue line.

A deke is a hockey move where a player fakes a shot or pass to trick an opponent and create space to advance or score. It is often used to get past defenders or goalkeepers by making them react in the wrong direction. The player will move or shoot in one direction, only to quickly move the puck the other way. It requires good stickhandling, timing, and quick reflexes to successfully fool the opponent.

Boarding is a penalty in hockey that occurs when a player pushes or hits an opponent dangerously into the boards of the rink, usually with excessive force. This type of hit can put the opponent at risk of injury, especially if they are hit from behind. Boarding is considered a serious penalty because of the potential for harm and can result in a two-minute minor penalty or a more severe major penalty, depending on the severity of the hit. The penalty is meant to protect players from dangerous collisions.

A power play is a situation in hockey where one team has more players on the ice than the other due to a penalty. When a player is sent to the penalty box, their team plays with one fewer player, giving the other team a chance to have an advantage. This extra player allows the team on the power play to create more scoring opportunities, as they can move the puck more freely and try to set up shots on goal. Power plays are crucial moments in a game, often leading to important goals.

Tripping is a penalty in hockey that occurs when a player uses their stick, body, or skates to cause an opponent to fall by hooking or knocking their feet out from under them. This action is dangerous because it can lead to injury, especially if the player falls awkwardly. Tripping is penalized because it interferes with fair play, and the player who commits the penalty is sent to the penalty box for a two-minute minor penalty. The penalty can also be more severe if the tripping is particularly dangerous or intentional.

Body checking is a hockey move where a player uses their body to physically block or disrupt an opponent who has the puck. The goal of body checking is to separate the player from the puck or to stop their progress by using controlled force. It is allowed in certain levels of hockey, especially for players who are older or more experienced. When done correctly, body checking is a legal and strategic move, but if done recklessly or dangerously, it can result in a penalty. The key is to make contact with the opponent in a way that is fair and safe.

Forechecking is a hockey strategy where a player or group of players pressures the opposing team in their own defensive zone, trying to regain control of the puck. The goal is to disrupt the opposing team's play before they can move the puck out of their zone, often by cutting off passing lanes or applying pressure on the player with the puck. Forechecking is an aggressive tactic that can force mistakes and create scoring opportunities, but it requires good teamwork and timing to be effective without leaving the team vulnerable to counterattacks.

Backchecking is a defensive strategy in hockey where a player skates quickly back toward their own goal to prevent the opposing team from scoring, especially after a turnover or when the puck is moving in the opposite direction. The player focuses on getting into position to disrupt the attacking players, block shots, or break up passes. Backchecking is important for defending against fast breaks and ensuring that the opposing team does not have an easy scoring chance, helping to keep the game balanced. It requires speed, awareness, and teamwork.

A penalty kill is when a hockey team plays with fewer players on the ice because one of their players has been penalized. During this time, the team on the penalty kill works to prevent the opposing team from scoring, usually by blocking shots, clearing the puck out of their own zone, and keeping strong defensive positioning. The team on the penalty kill must be extra careful, as the other team has a player advantage, but if they successfully defend and stop the other team from scoring, the penalty ends and the team returns to full strength.

A blue line is one of the two lines that run across the width of a hockey rink, dividing it into three sections: the defensive zone, the neutral zone, and the offensive zone. The blue line marks the boundary for players when entering the offensive zone, and it is important for determining offside calls. A player must have at least one skate inside the blue line before the puck crosses into the offensive zone to avoid being offside. The blue line also plays a key role in setting up plays and defending against attacks.

A breakaway in hockey refers to a situation where a player gains possession of the puck and has a clear path toward the opponent's goal, usually with no defenders between them and the goalie. This often happens after a successful steal or a pass that leaves the player alone on a fast attack. A breakaway is considered a high-pressure opportunity, as the player has a chance to score, while the goalie must try to prevent the goal with quick reflexes and positioning. Successful breakaways often result in a goal or a close scoring attempt.

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America, made up of teams from both Canada and the United States. It was founded in 1917 and is considered one of the major professional sports leagues in the world. The league is known for its high level of competition and features the best hockey players globally. The NHL's season consists of regular games followed by playoffs, with the ultimate goal being to win the Stanley Cup, the league's championship trophy.

A face-off is the method used to start play or restart play after a stoppage in hockey. It occurs when two opposing players stand at a designated spot on the ice, usually at center ice or in one of the face-off circles, and the referee drops the puck between them. The players then attempt to gain control of the puck by using their sticks. Face-offs are important for gaining possession of the puck and are used to begin periods, after goals, and after certain stoppages during the game. The team that wins the face-off can then try to make a play or advance the puck.

A period is one of the three sections that make up a hockey game. Each period lasts 20 minutes of playing time, with a break in between periods for rest, strategy discussions, and ice maintenance. If the game is tied at the end of the three periods, there may be overtime or a shootout to determine the winner. The length and structure of periods help organize the flow of the game, with each team trying to outscore the other within the allotted time.

Icing is a penalty in hockey that occurs when a player shoots the puck from their side of the center red line all the way down the rink, past the opposing team’s goal line, without anyone touching it. This results in a stoppage of play, and the puck is brought back to the offending team's end for a face-off. Icing is called to prevent teams from just shooting the puck down the ice as a way of getting rid of it. There are some exceptions, such as when the team is short-handed or if the puck goes into the corner behind the goal.

A shootout is a tiebreaker method used in hockey to determine the winner of a game if the score is tied after regulation and overtime. In a shootout, each team selects a player to take a one-on-one shot against the opposing goalie. The team that scores more goals out of a set number of attempts wins the shootout and the game. Each player has a chance to make a move and try to score, while the goalie tries to stop the shot. If the score is still tied after the initial attempts, the shootout continues with new players until a winner is decided.