Hockey Language Glossary

Hat Trick:

• Hat Trick: A hat trick is when a player scores three goals in one game. A "natural hat trick" is when a player scores three consecutive goals, uninterrupted by any other scoring.

Gordie Howe Hat Trick:

• Gordie Howe Hat Trick: A "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" means that a player scores a goal, gets an assist and participates in a fight all in one game. It isn't an actual stat that is kept, but the term is named after hockey legend Gordie Howe.

Crashing the Net:

• Crashing the Net: This is a strategy where a forward charges toward a opposing teams net in hopes of deflecting an income shot into the net or finding a loose rebound and putting it pass the goalie for a goal. The strategy can also be used to obstruct the view of the goalie so the goalie can't see the incoming shot.

Crease:

• Crease: The crease is an area of ice directly in front of the net, identified by a red border and blue interior.

Changing on the Fly:

• Changing on the Fly: This term means when a player is substituted on the ice for another player from the bench while game is going on. It is very common in hockey.

Bodychecking:

• Bodychecking: Bodychecking is a player uses his body to slow or stop an opponent. Technically, bodychecking is legal only against a player who has possession of the puck or is in the vicinity of the puck.

Pulling the Goalie:

• Pulling the Goalie: A team will pull their goalie and replace him with an extra attacker when there is a delay penalty on the opposing team or when they are losing late in the game and desperately need a goal.

Power Play:

• Power Play: A situation when one team has a great number of players on the ice because a player on the opposing them has taken a penalty.

Man Advantage:

• Man Advantage: Another term that is used to describe a power play.

Penalty Killing:

• Penalty Killing: A situation when one team has fewer players on the ice and is trying to prevent the other team from scoring because the opposing team is on the power play.

Forechecking:

• Forechecking: Forechecking is when players check on purpose in the offensive zone with the intention of gaining control of the puck and trying to set up a scoring chance.

Dump and Chase:

• Dump and Chase: This is a strategy when a teams dumps or "shoots" the puck into the opposing teams offense zone and then aggressively chases after the puck in hopes of retaining control of the puck and setting up a scoring chance.

Deke:

• Deke: A deke is a move by the puck carrier intended to deceive the defender about what he will try next or which direction he is skating.

Slap Shot:

• Slap Shot: A slap shot is when a player hits the puck with the blade of his stick after taking a full back swing.

Wrist Shot:

• Wrist Shot: A wrist shot is when a player hits the puck with the blade of his stick using a quick snap of the wrist rather than a full back swing.

Backchecking:

• Backchecking: Backchecking is a defensive play. It is when a forward comes into his own zone to help the defensemen or to cover for a defensemen who is out of position.

If you can think of any other hockey lingo words, phrases, slangs or words that we can add to this hockey language glossary page, please let me know by contacting me.

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