Like any other sport, hockey comes with its own language. Anyone who has been around the game for a long time speaks hockey slang like a second language. Of course, for those who are new to ice hockey, there are plenty of hockey slang terms you need to learn to understand the game better. That’s why we wanted to put together a guide for hockey terminology. Read on to find out more.
Officials
Referee – Two of the four on-ice officials are referees, who wear orange or red armbands.
Linesman – Two of the four on-ice officials are linesmen.
The Ice Rink
Ice rink – The playing surface of a hockey arena.
Boards – The outside perimeter of a hockey rink that’s made of wood and glass.
Face-off circles – There are four face-off circles indicated by dots on the ice where face-offs are held following a stoppage in play.
Penalty box – A small box on the side of the ice where players serve a penalty after committing a violation.
Red line – A red line painted on the ice that splits the rink into two halves.
Blue Lines – Two blue lines painted on each side of the ice that help separate the neutral zone from each team’s attacking or defensive zone.
Slot – The area directly in front of the net that is the source of most hockey goals.
Wings – The wide area of a hockey rink where there tends to be more space for players.
Crease – The semi-circle painted on the ice directly in front of each goal.
Neutral Zone – The area in between the two blue lines that make up the middle third of the ice.
Player Positions
Center – A forward position that typically plays in the center of the ice.
Right and Left Wing – Attacking players who typically play in a wide position.
Right and Left Defense – Defense-oriented position whose primary job is to prevent the opposing team from creating scoring opportunities.
Goaltender – A player with extra padding who sits in front of the net and tries to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
Equipment
Stick – Every hockey player uses a stick to control the puck.
Helmet – Every hockey player is required to wear a helmet while on the ice.
Puck – The disc-shaped object used in a hockey game.
Timing Terms
Period – Hockey games are divided into three, 20-minute periods.
Overtime – If an NHL game is tied, the two teams play a 3-on-3 overtime period for five minutes with the first goal scored ending the game.
Power Play – When one team has more players on the ice because the opposing team has at least one player serving a penalty.
Fouls Terms
Penalty – An infraction by a player that results in a player serving two minutes, four minutes, or five minutes in the penalty box.
Boarding – A common hockey penalty in which a player trips, pushes, or checks an opposing player into the boards in a dangerous manner.
Tripping – A common hockey penalty when a player uses their stick or a body part to trip an opposing player.
Game Terms
Goal – When a hockey team scores by putting the puck in the opposing team’s net.
Assist – The pass that leads to a player scoring a goal.
Breakaway – When a player has a one-on-one goal-scoring opportunity with the goalie.
Check – Using the shoulder, arm, or hip to knock down an opposing player and win possession of the puck.
Deke – Deceiving or tricking an opponent in order to skate by them while retaining possession of the puck.
Hand pass – Using your hand rather than your stick to pass the puck to a teammate.
Own goal – A hockey player unintentionally directing the puck into their own net.
Rebound – When the goaltender makes a save but doesn’t catch the puck cleanly, allowing attacking players to collect the puck or attempt another shot.
Save – When the goaltender cleanly catches a shot or deflects the puck wide with their stick or pads.
Saucer pass – A hockey pass that involves the puck being lifted off the ice and flying through the air.
Slapshot – A shot in hockey when a player raises their stick back and follows through in an effort to shoot the puck as hard as possible.
Hat Trick – When a player scores three goals in one game.
Faceoff – When an on-ice official drops a puck in between two opposing players to start play.
Ice Hockey Slang
Apple – Another name for an assist.
Bar down – When the puck hits the bottom of the crossbar and then goes into the net.
Barn burner – A high-scoring hockey game.
Biscuit – Slang term for a hockey puck
Body check – A common way of knocking an opposing player off balance.
Celly – A celebration that follows a goal.
Chiclets – Slang term for a player’s teeth.
Chirping – When players talk trash to one another during a game.
Clapper – Slang term for a slap shot.
Coast to coast – When a player carries the puck from one end of the ice to the other.
Cross-checking – An illegal hit when a player strikes another with the shaft of their stick.
Dangle – A type of deke.
Defensive zone – The part of the ice in which a team is defending its net.
Duster – A player who doesn’t get a lot of playing time and is said to be “collecting dust” while sitting on the bench.
Extra attacker – When a team will pull its goalie from the game in order to put an additional attacking player on the ice.
Five-hole – When the puck goes through a goalie’s legs and into the net.
Forechecking – When a team applies pressure in its attacking end in an effort to regain possession of the puck.
Gongshow – A game with a lot of hits, penalties, or a lopsided score.
Goon – A player on the ice primarily to play physically and fight.
Grinder – A player who isn’t as skilled as others but is on the ice to get under the skin of opposing players.
Hooking – A penalty in which a player uses their stick to impede an opposing player.
Light the lamp – Slang term for scoring a goal.
Odd-man rush – When an offensive team has more players moving into the attacking zone than the opposing team.
Offensive zone – The third of the ice when a team is close to the opposing team’s net.
One-timer – A shot in which a player strikes the puck immediately after a pass without trying to control the puck first.
Pylon – A slow defenseman who is easy to skate past.
Roughing – A common hockey penalty when a player is judged to use unnecessary force.
Sin bin – Slang term for the penalty box.
Slashing – A hockey penalty when a player swings their stick at an opponent.
The Show – Slang term for the NHL.
Top shelf – The top area of a hockey net between the crossbar and the goalie’s shoulders.
Twig – Slang term for a hockey stick.
Wrist shot – A shot in hockey when the power comes from a player’s wrist and forearm.
Zamboni – Machine used before games and in between periods to smooth out the ice.
Bet on Ice Hockey Games with BetVictor
BetVictor CA is among the best online sportsbooks for anyone interested in betting on hockey. We offer a wide variety of betting options for the NHL and other leagues, as well as attractive bonus offers to help keep things fun and interesting. We have also designed a platform that’s intuitive and easy to use, even for those who are new to sports betting. Just make sure you always practice responsible gambling and use our safe gambling tools.
19+ | Opt in | T&Cs apply | Connexontario.ca | Play responsibly.
