THE PLAYERS
Each team has a maximum of 21 players suited up to play. The players
consist of 12-14 forwards, 5-7 defensemen, and 2 goalies. The numbers
and makeups of the players may change from game to game due to injuries,
poor play (healthy scratches or coach's decisions), or other factors.
Forwards
There are three types of forwards: Centers, and right and left wingers.
A forward line consists of one of each. The center takes face-offs,
generally plays in the middle of the ice, and is generally responsible
for setting up scoring opportunities for the wingers. The wingers play
to the outside of the ice and are responsible for getting into scoring position
and forechecking when in the opponent's zone. All forwards, to some extent or
another, are also responsible for playing defensively. That is, when the puck is in their own zone,
they must make efforts to aid the defensemen in controlling the puck and moving it up the
ice. A large part of an effective forward's game is to be able to read defensive plays
and position themselves for breakout passes from defensemen to generate scoring opportunities.
A team has 3-4 lines of 3 forwards each, comprised of players that the coaches feel play well
together. They are referred to as the first (or scoring) line, which is usually comprised of
the three best forwards on the team; the second line, usually another scoring line of slightly
less-skilled players; and two checking lines, whose main responsibility is to keep the opponent's
lines from scoring. A team with three or four very good lines capable of scoring is referred to
as deep.
Defensemen Top
In an even-strength situation (more on this later), there are two defensemen (right and left) on
the ice for each team at any given time. The defenseman's job is to coordinate with his partner
to read and respond to the opposing forwards' plays. Often, defenseman are slower skaters than
forwards (with some exceptions), but are also often stronger, tougher, and steadier skaters.
Defensemen also join offensive plays when the opportunity permits. An important part of some
defensemen's game is the shot from the point. The point refers to the area just inside the
offensive zone blueline to either side. When a defenseman has a hard shot and can accurately
shoot it toward the net from the point, this can aid forwards in scoring goals.
Goalies Top
The goalie is responsible for keeping the puck out of the net. It's a tough position, and most
of them are crazy (because they have vulcanized rubber being thrown at them at close to 100 mph
for a living).
PLAY Top
A discussion of the play should be broken into two categories: Even strength and special teams.
Even strength refers to both teams having the same amount of players on the ice at the same
time. Special teams play is broken into two categories: the power play and the penalty kill.
Teams go down a man when one is called for a penalty; thus they must kill the penalty or be
scored upon. When a penalty is called on an opposing player, the team goes on the power play
and must try to score with the man advantage. Even-strength play At the opening face off of the
game (and after each goal is scored), the two teams (with three forwards, two defensemen, and
one goalie each) square off at center ice. The linesman drops the puck and play begins. Even
strength play is a game of opportunities and often broken plays, as each offensive unit attempts
to break into the opponent's zone and set up a scoring opportunity. At the same time, defensemen
are trying to get the puck out of their own zone and pass up ice to their own forwards.
An important aspect of even-strength play (especially in the playoffs) is the forecheck. Teams
either dump the puck into the offensive zone or attempt to elude defensive players and skate it
in. Often, a play is broken before a shot is taken. Offensive players then hit and check the
defensive players in an attempt to get them to give up the puck so they can try to score.
Often, you'll see offensive players crash into the boards, try to dig the puck free and pass
it along the boards to another teammate. This is referred to as cycling the puck. Teams that
can forecheck, cycle the puck in the offensive zone, and get good scoring opportunities off the
forecheck are often successful. The ice is broken up into three segments or zones. The middle of
the ice is called the neutral zone, and contains the redline, which breaks the rink up into two
halves. The offensive and defensive zones (depending on which team you're rooting for) are
delineated by the bluelines. These lines and zones are important because they control the more
common infractions, including offsides, icing,and the two-line pass.
COMMON INFRACTIONS Top
Linesmen can stop the game for many different reasons. Here are some in relative order of
commonality, with a brief explanation:
· Offsides this occurs when a player crosses the opposing blueline before the puck does.
Faceoff is moved outside the offensive zone.
· Icing this occurs when a player has not reached the redline before dumping the puck beyond
the opposing goal line (the line at the end of the rink; goes all the way across). A
defending player must touch up the puck to activate the icing. Faceoff is moved back to
the icing players defensive zone.
· Puck frozen by goalie the goalie can freeze the puck at any time by catching it, falling on it,
etc. The referee is supposed to blow the whistle as soon as he loses sight of the puck.
Faceoff remains in the defensive zone.
· Two-line pass a pass going up ice may not be taken by a player more than two lines (blueline,
redline) away from the player who makes the pass.
· Puck hit with a high stick self explanatory.
· Handpass a player may, in his defensive zone, pass the puck along the ice with his glove. It
is prohibited at all other times (neutral zone, offensive zone).
* http://www.epinions.com/content_3223625860 *
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