Hockey A to Z: All the Key Terms at a Glance

E – Hockey Terms Starting with E

• Empty Net: When the goalie is pulled for an extra attacker.
• Enforcer: The team’s bodyguard – protects star players from dirty hits.

F – Hockey Terms Starting with F

• Forecheck: Pressuring the opponent in their zone to regain puck control early.
• Five-Hole: The space between a goalie’s legs – a classic scoring target.
• Fighting: Still allowed (barely) – but earns at least a five-minute penalty.

G – Hockey Terms Starting with G

• Gordie Howe Hattrick: A goal, an assist, and a fight – all in one game. Legendary.
• Goalie: The last line of defense.
• Gloves Off: Players remove gloves before a fight – it’s a tradition.

H – Hockey Terms Starting with H

• Hat-Trick: Three goals by one player in a single game. Fans throw hats on the ice!
  
  
• Hooking: Using the stick to slow down an opponent – earns a two-minute penalty.

I – Hockey Terms Starting with I

• Icing: When the puck is shot from behind the center line and crosses the goal line untouched.
• Iron Man: A player who hasn’t missed a game in forever.
• Interference (Strafe): Hitting a player who doesn’t have the puck – penalty time!

J – Hockey Terms Starting with J

• Jersey: The team shirt with number and name.
• Jockstrap: Same as the “cup” – essential protection.
• Jab: A quick stick poke to steal the puck.

K – Hockey Terms Starting with K

• Kneeing: Leading a hit with your knee – dangerous and illegal.
• Kick Save: Goalie stops the puck with their foot.

L – Hockey Terms Starting with L

• Lagging: Slowing things down intentionally – sometimes a tactic, sometimes stalling.
• Lateral Movement: Goalies sliding side to side between posts.
• Lay-up: An easy goal after a smart pass.
• Lead Pass: Passing into open space so a teammate can skate into it.
• Left Wing: The forward who plays on the left side.
• Line Up: The player formation at face-offs or after whistles.
• Line Change: Swapping players during play – done fast and often.
• Locker Room: Where the team gears up and cools down.
• Loose Puck: No one’s controlling the puck – up for grabs.
• Long Change: In the second period, it’s harder to reach the bench for defenders.
• Lumber: Slang for a hockey stick.
• Line Change: The substitution of an entire line during the game.
• Lid: Slang for helmet.
• Lighting the Lamp: Scoring a goal – named after the red light behind the net.

M – Hockey Terms Starting with M

• Match Up: Pairing players or lines tactically.
• Man Advantage: Your team has more players because the opponent is penalized.
• Middle Frame: Fancy term for the second period.
• Mitts: Slang for gloves.
• Misconduct: A 10-minute penalty for bad behavior.
• Money Player: Clutch performer when the pressure’s on.
• Mucker: The grinder who battles in corners and screens the goalie.

N – Hockey Terms Starting with N

• Neutral Zone: Area between the blue lines – no man’s land.
• Neutral Zone Faceoff: Happens in the neutral zone after offsides or pucks going out of play.
• Neutral Zone Trap: Defensive system to slow down attacks.
• Nutmeg: Sliding the puck between an opponent’s legs.

O – Hockey Terms Starting with O

• Odd-Man Rush: An attacking scenario with more attackers than defenders.
• Offside: See “A” – same rule.
• One-Timer: A quick shot straight off a pass – no stopping the puck first.
• Overtime: Extra time played if the game is tied after regulation.

P – Hockey Terms Starting with P

• Paddle: The wide, flat part of the goalie stick.
• Penalty Kill: Playing a man down, trying to avoid conceding.
• Penalty Box: Where players sit out their penalty time.
• Poke Check: Defensive move using the stick to dislodge the puck.
• Power Play: Your team has a man advantage because of an opponent’s penalty.
• Pull the Goalie: Subbing the goalie for an extra skater to chase a late goal.

Q – Hockey Terms Starting with Q

• Quick Release: A lightning-fast shot – no wind-up.
• Quarterback: The player directing the power play – usually from the blue line.

R – Hockey Terms Starting with R

• Rebound: The puck bounces off the goalie – ready for a second shot.
• Roughing: Penalty for minor punches or excessive contact.
• Rush: A quick offensive push, often with speed or an advantage.

S – Hockey Terms Starting with S

• Slapshot: A full-power wind-up and hit – loud and hard.
• Slot: The high-danger area in front of the net.
• Stickhandling: Controlling the puck smoothly – hockey’s answer to dribbling.
• Sudden Death: First goal in overtime wins – no second chances.

T – Hockey Terms Starting with T

• Top Shelf: The upper part of the net – tough for goalies to reach.
• Trapezoid: The area behind the goal where goalies are allowed to play the puck.
• Turnover: Losing puck possession to the other team.

U – Hockey Terms Starting with U

• Underdog: The team no one expects to win – but they might surprise you.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Bad behavior that breaks the spirit of the game.

V – Hockey Terms Starting with V

• Video Review: Reviewing controversial plays with video footage.
• Visor: The see-through shield on helmets that protects players’ eyes.

W – Hockey Terms Starting with W

• Wrap Around: Attempting to score by swinging around the back of the net.
• Wrist Shot: A quick, accurate shot using a flick of the wrist.

X – Hockey Terms Starting with X

• X-Factor: The unpredictable player or move that changes everything. Hard to define – easy to notice.

Y – Hockey Terms Starting with Y

• Yard Sale: When a player gets hit so hard, their gear scatters across the ice.

Z – Hockey Terms Starting with Z

• Zamboni: The ice resurfacing machine that makes everything nice and smooth again.
• Zones: The rink is divided into defensive, neutral, and attacking zones – each with its own strategy.