Ice hockey is a team sport on ice with the goal of throwing the puck into the opposing team’s goal more times than the opposing team does in a set time. The puck is passed from player to player on the ice court with special hockey sticks. The team who threw a greater number of pucks at the opponent’s goal wins.
The debate about where and when hockey appeared does not stop to this day. The official place of origin of modern hockey is considered to be Montreal (Canada). Another popular belief is that hockey originated in Holland. There are pictures of Dutch masters, dating back to the 16th century, which depict people playing a game similar to hockey. But whatever it was in Holland, the first officially recorded hockey game was played in Montreal at the Victoria Rink, March 3, 1875.
Two years later, the first seven rules of hockey were invented. In 1879, the wooden puck was replaced by its rubber alternative. In 1886 the improved rules of the game were streamlined and printed:
The number of players was reduced to seven;
the entire game was played with one lineup from start to finish;
substitutions were allowed only for injured players and after the agreement of the opposing team.
The first professional hockey team was established in Canada in 1904. In the same year, teams were reduced to six players. The standard court size was established – 56 × 26 m, which has not changed much since then. It became possible to replace players not only because of injuries. Later, the Patriki brothers introduced a system assigning a number to each player, a new system of scoring, marking out the court for specific areas. In 1945 they installed multi-colored lights behind the gates for more accurate scoring of goals.
Hockey Glossary
A hat trick is three goals scored in one game by one player. There is also the concept of a “natural hat trick”: three consecutive goals scored by one player in one match. A similar achievement, but with two goals, is called a double, with four – a poker, with five – a penta-trick, and with six – a double hat trick. There is also the concept of “Gordie Howe hat trick” – a special kind of hat trick when a player scores a puck, makes a goal and participates in a fight during 1 game.
“Crossing” – a common offensive combination pattern in which the extreme forwards of the attacking team switch places during the development of the attack.
An awkward side is a side unaccustomed to a hockey player. This is what they say about shooting from an awkward side, i.e. from the left side for a hockey player who usually shoots from the right side, and from the right side for a hockey player who shoots from the left side.
The cross step is a maneuvering skating technique, meaning that the hockey player moves across the ice by throwing one leg over the other.
Jerk – A quick movement with the puck, designed to leave an opponent behind. The term is often used to describe the actions of a puck-wielding hockey player when he rushes ahead of his partners toward the opponent’s goal.
The rush to the goal – As a rule, every hockey player who shoots the puck at the goal must rush to the goal. The hockey player rushes after the puck he has thrown to re-throw the bounced puck or to intercept the puck which has been knocked aside by the goalkeeper.
Passing – Passing the puck from a hockey player of the attacking team from behind the goal line or from behind the goal itself to a partner who is in front of the goal.
A hidden shot is a shot performed when one or more players of the opposing team are positioned between the shooter and the goal.
Conflict – Any situation in which players are involved, leading eventually to a penalty or penalties.
A one-on-one situation occurs when a player is in complete control of the puck and has no opponents between himself and the opposing goalkeeper (or the goal if the goalkeeper has been replaced by a field player).