Knoxville Icebears

Hockey 101

 

The Game

A game consists of three 20-minute periods. If the score is tied after the third period, there is a three-minute sudden death overtime, where the first team to score a goal wins the game. If no one scores a goal in overtime (OT), the teams head to an alternating five skater shoot-out. The team with the most shoot-out goals at the end wins the game. If the score is still tied, the teams will alternate skaters until one team scores and the other does not.

The Season

Each team plays 56 regular season games with 28 games at home and 28 on the road. The season begins in October and ends in March, and the SPHL playoffs begin after regular season.

The Rink

The hockey rink is 85 feet wide and 200 feet long. The ice is only about a half inch think.

The Zones

The rink is divided into three zones: a defensive zone (where the Ice Bears goalie is), the neutral zone (between the blue lines), and the offensive zone (where the Ice Bears try to score).

The Players

There are 18 players on a team. There are 6 players from each team on the ice at one time.

The Offense

Center: The Center, also a forward, operates up and down in the middle of the ice and usually leads his team’s attack.

Right/Left Wing: They are also known as forwards. The two wings move up and down the sides of the rink with the direction of play and pass the puck back and forth.

The Defense

Goaltender: The Goaltender’s job is to keep the puck from entering his team’s goal. He can use any part of his equipment or body to catch and smother the puck.

Defensemen: The two Defensemen try to stop the on-coming team from scoring. They block shots, clear the puck from in front of their own nets and cover the opposing team’s forwards.

Assist: An assist is credited to a player who helps set up a goal. Assists are awarded to the last man to handle the puck immediately preceding the goal. There is a maximum of two assists per goal.

Blue Line: Two lines running across the width of the rink, one on either side of the red line. The area between the blue lines is called the neutral zone.

Boards:  The wall around a hockey rink measuring about 42 inches high and topped off by synthetic glass to protect the spectators while giving them a good view of the action.

Body Check: Slowing or stopping the opponent by legally using the hip or shoulder.

Breakaway:  When a player breaks towards the opposition’s goal with the puck and no defenders are between him and the goalie.

Changing on the Fly: A player substitution that occurs during play.

Clearing the Puck: When the puck is passed, knocked, or shot away from the front of the goal net or other area.

Face-Off: The official drops the puck between two players to begin play.

Five Hole: The area between a goalie’s leg pads where a shooter would attempt to score.

Forechecking: Pressuring the opposition in the offensive zone in an effort to regain possession of the puck.

Freezing the Puck: A player freezes the puck by holding it against the boards with the stick or skates. A goalie freezes the puck by either holding the puck in the glove or trapping it on the ice.

Goal Crease: Blue area in front of each goal designed to protect goalies from interference by attacking players.

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

Man Advantage:  A team with one or more players on the ice than its opponent (during a power play).

Neutral Ice: The area between the two blue lines.

Offensive Zones: The area of the rink from the opponent’s blue line to the end of the rink.