Assist
An assist is awarded to the player or players (maximum of two) who touched the puck prior to the goal, provided no defender plays or possesses the puck in between.
Attacking Zone
When you are on the attack, your attacking zone is between your opponent’s blue line and goal line.
Back Check
Forwards in their offensive zone skate back quickly to their own defensive zone to protect their goal and keep the opponent from shooting.
Blocker
For the goalie, the glove that goes on the hand that holds the stick.
Boarding
Violently checking an opponent into the boards from behind. Boarding is illegal and merits a penalty.
Boards
The wall around a hockey rink (which was at one time really made of wood but which is now usually of fiberglass) measuring about 42 inches high and topped off by synthetic glass to protect the spectators while giving them a good view of the action.
Body Check
A body check is where you use your body against an opponent who has possession of the puck. Legal body checking must be done only with the hips or shoulders and must be above the opponent’s knees and below the neck. Unnecessarily rough body checking is penalized.
Box
A defensive alignment (similar to the diamond) often used by a team defending against a power play.
Breakaway
An offensive rush when there is no opponent between the puck carrier and the opposition’s goalie.
Breakout
When the attacking team comes out of its defensive zone with the puck and starts up ice.
