HOCKEY GAME PLAY

BASIC GAME STRUCTURE

An NHL hockey game consists of three 20-minute periods, with the clock stopping for various reasons from penalties to injuries.

There are two 15-minute intermissions, one following the first period and another after the second period.

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, the game will go to overtime. During full strength and regulation play each team has six players on the ice at a time, typically consisting of three forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender. delete?

REGULAR SEASON OVERTIME

Regular-season overtime lasts five minutes and is a sudden-death period, meaning the first team to score wins immediately. Each team has three skaters and a goaltender on the ice. If neither team scores at the end of the five minutes, the game proceeds to a shootout.

Shootout (only during regular-season): Each team selects three players who take turns attempting to score against the opposing team's goaltender. If the score remains tied after the initial three shooters, the shootout goes to a sudden-death format, where new players are picked to shoot.

If a player scores, the opposing player must also score to advance to the next round of the shootout. Otherwise, the team of the scoring player wins.

The order in which shooters take their shots is determined by the coaches and is often based on factors like a player's skill in shootout situations or their recent performance in the game.

PLAYOFF OVERTIME

Playoff overtime is a 20 minute sudden-death period. Each team has five skaters and a goaltender on the ice.

The game continues in 20-minute overtime periods until a team scores to win the game.

Games in the playoffs cannot end with tie scores, and there are no shoot-outs.

ICING

add visual? In-depth/quick summary

In hockey, icing is a rule designed to prevent teams from excessively and strategically shooting the puck down the ice to gain an advantage. Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck from their side of the red center line across the opposing team's goal line (the line between the goalposts and extending to the boards) without the puck being touched by another player.

If icing is called, play is stopped, and a faceoff takes place in the defending team's zone. However, there are some exceptions to the icing rule. For example, if the team that iced the puck is killing a penalty or if the team that iced the puck is shorthanded due to a penalty, the icing rule may be waived, and play continues. This exception is known as the "icing rule with exceptions" or "no-touch icing."

OFFSIDES

In-depth:

In hockey, the offside rule is designed to ensure fair play and prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage by positioning players in the offensive zone before the puck enters that zone.

A player is considered offside if both of their skates completely cross the blue line into the offensive zone before the puck does.

Here are the key points of the offside rule in hockey:

Blue Line: The blue line at the entrance of the offensive zone is crucial. Players must ensure that at least one of their skates remains on or behind the blue line when the puck crosses into the offensive zone.
Clear Possession: If a player carries or passes the puck into the offensive zone and their teammates are ahead of the puck, they are not considered offside. The player must have clear possession and control of the puck.
Delayed Offside: If an offside situation occurs, but all offending players exit the offensive zone and touch up by returning to the neutral zone, the linesman may signal a "delayed offside," allowing play to continue. However, if the offending players touch the puck before clearing the zone, the offside is called.

If a linesman determines that a player is offside, an offside faceoff is conducted in the neutral zone outside the blue line of the team that committed the infraction.

LINE CHANGES

In hockey, the process of substituting players on the ice with players from the bench is referred to as a line change.

Each team typically? has four forward lines and three defensive pairings, and these lines are rotated during the game to keep players fresh and maintain optimal performance. Line changes can occur during a stoppage of play or "on-the-fly", meaning players can enter and exit the ice during play.

FACE OFFS

In NHL hockey, a faceoff is a method used to start or restart play after a stoppage in the game. The location of a faceoff is determined by the reason for the stoppage in play.

On a faceoff, players from opposing teams position themselves opposite of each other as an official drops the puck between them. Using their sticks, they aim to pass the puck to their teammates.

Faceoffs can be crucial moments in the game that determine which team gains control of the puck, leading to offensive or defensive opportunities.

No Hand Passes in Defensive Zone: ???

Players in their defensive zone cannot use their hands to pass the puck to a teammate. If a hand pass is detected, a faceoff occurs in the defensive zone.

VIDEO REVIEW

Video review is used in certain situations, such as disputed goals, to ensure accurate calls.

TIMEOUTS

SCORING

Goals and assists- both 1 point for player.

Only goals are 1 point on the scoreboard.

PULLING A GOALIE

A strategic decision made by a team's coach to replace the goalie with an extra player on the ice, typically when the team is trailing towards the end of a game and wants to boost offensive pressure. This decision is crucial in situations where the team needs to score, either to tie the game or make a comeback. However, pulling the goalie is risky because the other team can more easily score on the empty net, and teams must weigh the offensive benefits against the increased vulnerability to counterattacks. If successful, the goalie may return to the ice, but if the opposing team scores into the empty net, it can widen their lead. It's important to note that pulling the goalie is typically done during a stoppage in play, like a faceoff or when the team gains possession in their defensive zone.

CHECKING

Physical contact between players to gain possession of the puck.

In the NHL (National Hockey League), checking is a fundamental aspect of the game and involves a legal body contact between players.

Checking: Checking is a physical play where a player uses their body to make contact with an opponent, with the goal of gaining possession of the puck, disrupting the opponent's play, or creating space for a teammate.

It's an essential part of the game that requires players to use their bodies effectively and within the rules of the game.

Legal Checks:

Body Positioning: Players can use their bodies to block opponents from advancing or to separate them from the puck. This includes using the hips, shoulders, or chest to make contact.

?Open-Ice Hits: A check that isnt against the boards
A player can legally check an opponent who has possession of the puck, even if they are not along the boards. This is often referred to as an open-ice hit.
Board Checks: When a player is in proximity to the boards, an opponent can legally use body contact to pin them against the boards and gain control of the puck.

Illegal Checks:

Hits to the Head: Checks targeting an opponent's head are strictly prohibited and can result in penalties or player suspensions.
From Behind: Checking an opponent from behind, especially when they are not aware of the impending contact, is considered dangerous and can lead to penalties.
Boarding: If a player is checked violently into the boards, especially from behind, it may be considered boarding, resulting in a penalty.

Checking Responsibilities:

Players need to be aware of their surroundings and play responsibly to avoid dangerous hits.
The player with the puck has the right to be checked, but there are rules in place to protect players from unnecessarily dangerous contact.