Ice Hockey

Gameplay The goal of hockey is to score more goals then the opposing team. By shooting the hockey puck into the net is how a goal can be scored. Players are assigned roles either to score or to defend against the score. Hockey is a high intensity game with a lot of physicality. Hockey is also tiring, players get lots of breaks during the games.

Positions Goaltender- Objective is to keep the puck from getting in the goal. Defensemen- Goal is to assist the goalie in protecting the net, but will make offensive plays from time to time. Center- Is the quarterback of hockey, he plays both offense and defense and plays a key role for his/her team. Wings- Mainly attack the opponent on the offensive side, but will help on defense when needed.

Officials Referee- Head official, who calls penalties, determines if goals are scored and handles faceoffs at center ice. Linesman- Two officials whom call offsides, icing, and handles all faceoffs not at center ice. Goal Judges- Two officials whom assist the referee in flashing a flashing red light when a goal is believed to be scored. Official Scorer- Determines which player scored and if there was an assist.

Penalties Boarding- Called when an opponent is put into the boards in an illegal way. Charging- Called for hitting an opponent when taking more than three steps. Cross-Checking- Called when a player checks an opponent with both hands on his stick, and no part of the stick on the ice. Hooking- Called when a player tries to slow up an opponent by hooking him with his stick. Slashing- Called when a player hits an opponent illegally with his stick.

Types of Penalties Minor Penalty- Requires a player to sit out for two minutes, this may include penalties such as boarding, hooking, slashing, roughing, holding, and others. Major Penalty- Requires a player to sit out for five minutes, this is mainly for fighting, but is given when a minor penalty is committed with the intent to injure. Misconduct- Requires a player to sit out for ten minutes, but since it is a personal foul another player can be subbed in as a substitute. This may be called when a player has committed two major penalties.

Hockey in the Olympics Hockey has always been one of the most competitive sports in the Winter Olympic Games, as well as the most sought after gold medal. The United States, Canada, and Russia, usually have the best teams and are always have very competitive matches. Fans travel from all over the world, to represent their country and to cheer for their team.

The Miracle On Ice The Miracle on Ice was a hockey match up in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics between the Russian hockey team, which was considered by many the best team in the world at that time and the American team that consisted of mostly amateur and college players. The game was back and forth with lead changes and ties. The United States won by a final score of 4-3 and in the closing seconds the announcer proclaimed “do you believe in miracles?” The United States team then went on to beat Finland for the Gold Medal. The American’s win over the Soviet Union is considered one of the greatest upsets of all-time and was chosen by the International Ice Hockey Federation as the number one hockey story of the century.

Alexander Ovechkin Alexander Ovechkin was born on September 17, 1985 in Moscow, Russia. He was the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals. He has won numerous awards in the few years he was in the NHL including the Rookie of the Year award, two-time MVP and winner of many other awards. Ovechkin is widely considered to be the best player in the NHL and was nicknamed Alex the Great, because of his above elite level of play.

Fun Facts The ice is about 3’4” thick and usually kept at 16 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain the proper hardness. Players hit the puck anywhere from miles per hour. The hockey puck itself is made of rubber and is 3 inches in diameter, one inch thick, and weighs about 6 ounces. Hockey sticks are made from wood, usually northern white ash, rock elm, or even aluminum.

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