Hockey Vocabulary

A hat trick is when a single player scores three goals in one game. Fans traditionally celebrate by throwing hats onto the ice.

A power play occurs when one team has more players on the ice because the opposing team has one or more players serving a penalty in the penalty box.

Icing is called when a player shoots the puck from behind the center red line all the way across the opposing team's goal line without it being touched, resulting in a faceoff in the offending team's zone.

A shutout occurs when a goaltender prevents the opposing team from scoring any goals for the entire game, one of the most valued achievements for a goalie.

The five-hole is the space between a goaltender's legs. Goalies have five 'holes': above each shoulder (1 and 2), below each arm (3 and 4), and between the legs (5).

A Zamboni is the brand name (now used generically) for the ice resurfacing machine that shaves, cleans, and applies a fresh layer of water to the ice surface between periods.

A slap shot is the hardest shot in hockey, where the player raises the stick behind the body and swings down forcefully, hitting the ice just behind the puck for maximum power.

Offside is called when an attacking player crosses the blue line into the offensive zone before the puck does, resulting in a faceoff outside the zone.

A breakaway occurs when a player has possession of the puck and is skating toward the opposing goal with no defenders between them and the goaltender.

A deke (short for 'decoy') is a deceptive move made by a puck carrier to fake out a defender or goaltender, often involving quick stickhandling or body fakes.

Boarding is a penalty called when a player pushes, checks, or trips an opponent causing them to be thrown violently into the boards surrounding the rink.

The crease is the semi-circular area painted in front of each goal, designated as the goaltender's territory. Specific rules govern player contact with the goalie in this area.

A Gordie Howe hat trick is an unofficial achievement of scoring a goal, recording an assist, and getting into a fight all in the same game, named after the legendary tough and skilled player.

Hooking is a penalty called when a player uses the blade of their stick to restrain or impede an opponent's movement or progress.

Pulling the goalie is a strategy where a team removes their goaltender and replaces them with an extra attacker, typically used when trailing late in a game to gain a scoring advantage.