Click here to log in.

The Lingo

Back Check : To hinder an opponent heading into the attack zone.

Blue Lines: They divide the playing surface into three parts; the attack, neutral and defending zones. They are also used to determine offsides.

Biscuit : It's another term for a hockey puck. This term was made popular as a sportscasters' reference to goals.

Breakaway : An offensive rush in which an attacking player breaks into the clear for a scoring chance on the goaltender.

Checking: Players use their bodies on an opponent to break up a play. This is legal when the opposing player has possession of the puck or was the last player to have touched it.

Clearing the Puck : This is when a player shoots the puck out of his team's defensive goal.

Crease: It's the area directly in front of each goal. It is eight feet across and extends four feet from the red goal line. Offensive players who do not have possession of the puck may not enter this area.

Deke: A player's way of faking out an opponent in order to keep possession of the puck

Delayed Penalty: When official raises his arm but does not blow the whistle, waiting to see the outcome of the play. This is done so as not to penetrate the non-offending team by stopping their momentum.

Faceoff: It's the dropping of the puck between one player from each team to start or resume play.

Five Hole: This is the small space left open between the goalie's leg pads; vulnerable to an accurate shot.

Forecheck: To check an opponent in his own end of the rink, preventing an offensive rush.

Freeze the Puck: When a player holds the puck against the boards with either his stick or skate, stopping play.

Hat trick: When a player scores three goals in a single game.

Icing: Intentionally shooting the puck from behind the center red line over the opponent's goal line.

Neutral Zone: The space on the ice between the two blue lines. This is where many of hockey's biggest collisions occur.

Point: It refers to the position just inside the blue line in the attacking zone where defensemen may take big slap shots on the net.

Pulling the Goalie: Sometimes late in the game a team will remove its goalie to replace him with an extra skater, attempting to create an offensive advantage.

Save: It's a shot blocked by the goaltender, which would have otherwise resulted in a goal.

Slap Shot: Hockey players get the most power by hitting the puck with the blade of the stick after a full backswing.

Slot: The area immediately in front of the goalie, where a majority of hockey's goals are scored.

Stick Handling: This is how players control the puck once they have possession of it.

Top Shelf: Refers to the top left and right corner of the goal cage, a difficult place to score a goal.