Ice Hockey Games: Sub-Zero Heroes
Ice hockey games are played by teams of six; matches last for one hour, divided into three equal periods. Each team tries to score much more goals than the other, by hitting a rubber disc (puck) into the opposing objective net. When shooting, players must hit the puck with their sticks; at other times, they may kick it, or pat it with their hands.
Their skates have high ankle supports; speed skates aren’t allowed, as their blades are pointed and dangerous. Protective padding is a must; goalkeepers wear thick gloves and leg guards, and sturdy visors. Players might skate with the puck (dribble), pass it, or shoot on objective.
They use all sorts of strokes – difficult slap shots and gentle push passes, lofted flip shots and flicked snap passes. They are not allowed to hit the puck across their opponents’ goal line from inside their own half – known as icing the puck – and they must avoid being caught off-side. If you are given off-side, it usually means that you have skated into your offensive zone ahead of the puck.
Ice hockey games are the fastest of team games; the puck moves at 160kmlh, and a referee, two linesmen and two goal judges try to keep track of it! The linesmen give decisions on off-side and icing the puck; play then stops, and restarts with a face-off inside the offending team’s defensive zone. Objective judges watch from behind the boards, and decide when the puck has entered the net.
