Backhand shot

A shot or pass made with the stick from the left side by a right-handed
player or from the right side by a left-handed player.

Blocker

The glove that the goalie uses to hold his stick. The back of the blocker or blocking glove is a rectangular
padded area that the goalie uses to block shots.

Blue line

There are two blue lines on the ice. Each is sixty feet out
from the goal lines and divide the ice between the goal lines
into thirds. The area between the two blue lines is the neutral
zone. The areas on either side of the neutral zone are either
the defending zone or the attacking zone depending on which goal
the team is defending.

Boarding

Applying a body check into the boards after taking more than
two steps toward the victim. A minor penalty.

Boards

The fiberglass or wooden walls surrounding the rink are known
as the boards. The boards are between 40 to 48 inches high.

Breakaway

An offensive player has the puck while skating toward the opposing
team's goal with only the goalie in between.

Center

Positioned in the middle of the front line of attack. Closest
to the opponent's goal, so usually is top scorer. On defense,
protects the area in the center of his defensive zone known as
the slot.

Charging

Applying a body check after taking more than two steps toward
the victim. A minor penalty.

Coach

Directs the action of his team on the ice. Usually stands behind
his team's bench.

Crease

The light blue semicircular area with a six foot radius in front
of each goal.

Crossbar

The four foot high bar that connects the two goal posts and
supports the net.

Cross checking

Hitting an opponent with both hands on your stick and no part
of the stick on the ice. A minor penalty.

Defenseman

Two players who are positioned on each side of their goal to
help the goalie prevent the other team from scoring. Ofter larger
than forwards so they can physically halt the opponents rushing
to the net.

Defensive zone

The area from a team's goal line to the closest blue line.

Deke

To fake, for example by causing an opposing player to believe
that you are moving left when you are moving right.

Delay of game

When a player intentionally bats or shoots the puck over the
boards. The result is a minor penalty.

Elbowing

Checking with your elbows or arms instead of your body. A minor penalty.

Even strength goal

A goal made when both teams have an equal number of players on the ice.

Face-off

A face-off is when a referee drops the puck between a designated
member of each team and said members attempt to knock the puck
to a teammate. A face-off begins a game and occurs after a team
scores or if play has stopped, such as when the puck leaves the
playing area.

Face-off circle

Five face-off circles, each with a radius of 15 feet, are drawn
on the ice. In the middle of each circle is a spot where a face-off
would take place. One face-off circle is in the middle of the
red line at center ice. The other four face-off circles are on
each side of the two goals.

Fans

The spectators.

Five hole

The space between the goalie's legs.

Forward

One of the three players who make up the front line of attack
with an emphasis on scoring goals. Could be either a center, a
left wing or a right wing.

Game misconduct

A penalty where the offender is suspended for the rest of the
game, but the offender's team does not skate shorthanded.

Glass (above the boards)

The Plexiglas sheets on top of the boards surrounding the rink.

Goal

Occurs when a players strikes the puck with his stick over his
opponents goal line, between the goal posts, underneath the cross
bar for a score.

Goalie

The player whose ultimate responsibility is to prevent the opposing
team from scoring a goal. Usually plays the entire game without
substitution.

Hat trick

Scoring three goals in one game by a single player. Fans typically
throw hats on the ice in appreciation. A Natural Hat Trick is
scoring three goals in a row without intervening goals by any
other player.

High sticking

Carrying your stick above shoulder level when moving toward
an opponent. A minor penalty.

Holding

When you use your hands to grab your opponent or his or her
stick. A minor penalty.

Hooking

Using the blade of your stick to restrain an opponent. A minor penalty.

Ice

Also referred to as the rink, the ice is the frozen hockey playing surface.

Icing

When the defending team shoots the puck from the zone in front
of its goalie to the other end of the ice, past the far red goal
line. A face-off follows in front of the icing team's goalie.

Interference

Checking an opponent who does not have the puck. A minor penalty.

Kneeing

When a player uses his knee in making contact with a player.
A minor or major penalty as determined by the referee.

Left wing

The forward (usually left-handed or with a left-handed shot)
who attacks the left side of the opponent's defensive zone.

Linesman

One of two officials who assist the referee on the ice. His
primary responsibility is to ensure that icing and off-side rules
are not violated. Each linesman moves between the center line
and one of the blue lines.

Line-up or roster

The list of a team's members for a season.

Misconduct

A penalty where the offender must spend 10 minutes in the penalty
box, but the offender's team does not skate shorthanded.

Neutral zone

The area in the center of the ice between the two blue lines.

Offensive zone

Also known as the attacking zone. The area between the furthest
blue line to the opposing team's goal line.

Offside

When any attacking player preceeds the puck across the blue
line into the attacking zone. A face-off follows at the faceoff
dot just outside the blue line.

Overtime

An additional period of play used to break a tie; see sudden-death.

Pants

Also known as breezers.

Penalty

Officials punish players and their teams with a penalty when
they violate certain rules, especially those involving illegal
contact with an opponent.

Penalty box

The area (separate from the players' bench area) where players
must sit when guilty of certain violations.

Penalty shot

Rare. When a player gets the puck at center ice, skates in alone
on the opposing goalie, and attempts to score with one shot. Usually
called when a player is tripped on a breakaway.

Powerplay

Occurs when a team has more players on the ice than the opponents
who have a player or players in the penalty box.

Puck

A hard rubber disk that is 3 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.
(Hockey's "ball.") Pucks move more easily on the ice
if they are kept frozen. Unfrozen pucks have a tendency to bounce
along the ice.

Red line

Located a the center of the rink, the red line divides the rink
in half lengthwise.

Referee

As the primary official, the referee is responsible for ensuring
that both teams obey the rules of the game.

Right wing

The forward (usually right-handed or with a right-handed shot)
who attacks the right side of the opponent's defensive zone.

Rink

Also referred to as the ice, the rink is the frozen hockey playing
surface.

Roughing

A violation called when in the referee's judgement, a player's
actions are unnecessarily rough. The result of the call is one
or two minor penalties.

Save

When a goalie prevents an opponent's shot on goal from entering
the goal either by stopping or deflecting the puck. Different
types of saves are kick saves, stick saves, glove saves and pad
saves. As in, "What a save! (Quel arrêt!)".

Scramble

Several players from both sides close together battling for
possession of the puck

Shorthanded

When a team has fewer players on the ice than the opponents
because of a penalty or penalties being served in the penalty
box by one or two of its players.

to Shoot

To strike the puck with a hockey stick toward the opponent's
goal in an attempt to score.

Shot

An attempt by a player to score by striking the puck with a
hockey stick toward the opponent's goal.

Slap-shot

When a player swings his stick back and then forward with great
force, striking the puck. The puck comes off the stick with extreme
speed and force, making it difficult for the opponent's goalie
to block.

Slashing

Using your stick to hit or attempt to hit an opposing player.
A minor penalty.

Spearing

Stabbing or attempting to stab an opponent with your stick. A
major penalty.

Stick

A lefty stick is held with the left hand lower on the stick.
The blade curves in from the left toward the right. Many right-handed
players use a lefty stick. Right Wingers playing with lefty sticks
are playing "off-wing". Vice-versa for a righty
stick.

Stick-side

Refers to the side of the goal where the goalie keeps the blade
end of his stick. Most attacking players prefer to shoot the puck
at the stick-side of the net since goalies usually move their
stick slower than their glove to block a shot. Also, if the puck
hits the goalie's blade, it could easily bounce off and create
another opportunity for another shot at close range.

Sweater

Also known as a jersey.

Time-out

When time has already stopped, a team may request a thirty-second
delay before restarting the action. Each team is allowed one time
out in a game, usually to discuss strategy or to halt the opposing
team's momentum.

Top-shelf

The upper part of the goal, near the cross bar.

Tripping

Using your stick, knee, foot, arm, hand or elbow to topple an
opponent. A minor penalty.

Wrist-shot

When a player uses only his wrists in snapping the puck off
his hockey stick, usually because the player is near the opponent's
goal and has no time for a slap shot.

Thanks to Keith Champagne for supplying most of the definitions. Reference: Teach Me Sports: Hockey