Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about ice hockey rules and play.
What is ice hockey in simple terms?
Ice hockey is a fast-paced team sport played on a sheet of ice where two squads use sticks to shoot a vulcanized rubber puck into the opposing net. Players skate at speeds that can exceed 100 km/h while navigating around boards, checking opponents, and making rapid passes.
How many players are on the ice per team during regular play?
Each team fields six players at a time: three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender. Coaches rotate through three or four skating lines during stoppages, so a roster of 18 to 22 skaters plus two or three goalies is typical.
What are the main positions a player can occupy?
The three forward spots—center, left wing, and right wing—focus on offense and net-front presence, while the two defensemen protect the blue line and help break up plays. The goaltender is the last line of defense and is the only player permitted to handle the puck with their hands inside the crease.
How long is a standard ice hockey game?
A regulation game comprises three 20-minute periods separated by two 18-minute intermissions. If the score is level after the third period, an overtime period (and, in some leagues, a shootout) decides the winner.
What is a power play and why is it a big deal?
A power play occurs when the opposing team serves a minor penalty, leaving them short-handed for roughly two minutes. The team with the extra skater typically enjoys a 5-on-4 advantage and converts these chances at a notably higher rate than even-strength play.
What is a faceoff and how does it work?
A faceoff is the procedure used to restart play after any stoppage: two opponents face each other at a marked circle while the linesman drops the puck between their blades. Winning the draw hands a team immediate possession, which is why dedicated faceoff specialists are valued on every roster.
What is the goal crease and what rules govern it?
The goal crease is the semicircular painted zone in front of the net where the goaltender receives full protection from body checks. Skaters who enter the crease while the puck is live can be called for goaltender interference, and the goalie may handle the puck with their hands only within that area.
What is a hat trick?
A hat trick is recorded when a single player scores three goals in one game. The long-standing tradition of fans presenting the player with a hat dates back to the early 1900s and remains one of the sport's most celebrated individual milestones.
What is the top tier of professional ice hockey?
The National Hockey League (NHL), with its 32 teams spread across North America, is generally considered the premier professional circuit. Other elite leagues include the KHL in Russia, the SHL in Sweden, and the Liiga in Finland.
What is a shootout and when is it used?
A shootout is a tiebreaker in which each team alternates sending one skater to attempt a goal against the opposing goalie, with the first squad to outscore the other after an equal number of attempts winning. The NHL employs it in regular-season games when overtime fails to produce a goal, while playoff games proceed to unlimited sudden-death overtime instead.