Center
The center primarily operates up and down the middle of the ice but also has more freedom to roam than his linemates. He is the playmaker, passing between his two wings to set up a goal. Defensively, he tries to keep the play in the attacking zone by harassing the opposing team's puck carrier. As the play moves back toward his own goal, it's his job to hustle back and try to break up the opposing team's play.

Right/Left Wings
These players predominately move up and down the sides of the rink with the direction of play. Offensively, they skate alongside the center, passing back and forth and positioning themselves for a shot on goal. In the defensive zone, they guard the opponents pointmen and try to keep them from shooting.

Right/Left Defensemen
These two players try to stop the incoming play from the other team before any chance of scoring is possible. They block shots, clear the puck from in front of their own net and cover the other team's forwards. Offensively, they pass the puck up the ice to the forwards, then follow the play into the attacking zone and try to keep it there.

Player Lines and "Changing on the Fly"
Because hockey doesn't demand a stop in play for substitutions, players can go on and off the ice while play is in progress. Each line, which consists of groups of three forwards or two defensemen, change about every minute. Each team usually carries four lines of forwards (center, left wing and right wing) and three sets of defensemen. Each team may have 20 (or 21 if agreed upon by the coaches) players "dressed" for each game. This is usually broken down into two goaltenders, six defenseman, and 12 forwards (wingers/centers).

Q: How do they make the rink?
A: Water is sprayed over a concrete floor that contains freezing pipes. When the ice is built to 1/2" thickness, the lines and logos are painted on. Additional water is sprayed on to coat the markings and build the ice to the appropriate thickness (approximately 3/4 inch).

Q: What are the dimensions of the rink?
A: A regulation size rink is 200' by 85'.

Q: How long is a hockey game?
A: A game consists of three 20 minute periods and two intermissions, each lasting 15-20 minutes. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a 5 minute sudden death overtime is played. If the score is still deadlocked, the game ends in a tie. Generally, a game lasts 2 and a half to 3 hours.

Q: What's the puck made of?
A: It's 6 oz. of solid vulcanized rubber, 3 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. It's frozen before entering play to make it bounce resistant.

Q: How fast can the puck travel?
A: Professional players are able to shoot the puck at speeds of up to 100 mph. Pucks also frequently curve in flight, making them difficult to predict.

ATTACK - advancing the puck toward your opponent's goal.

ATTACKERS - the players advancing the puck toward the opponent's goal.

BACKCHECKING - forwards (wings) who skate back quickly to their own end to protect their goal from advancing attackers.

BODY CHECK - slowing or stopping the opponent with the puck by legally using the hip or shoulder.

BREAKAWAY - when a player breaks toward the opposition's goal with the puck and no defenders are between him and the goalie.

BREAKOUT - beginning an offensive rush by moving the puck out of the defensive zone up to the neutral ice zone.

DEFENDER - a player guarding his own goal.

DEFENSIVE ZONE - a team's end zone where it tries to prevent goals from being scored.

DOUBLE MINOR - two simultaneous minor penalties assessed to one player. Usually assessed for a severe stick infraction or roughing.

FACE-OFF - the act of dropping the puck to begin play.

FIVE-HOLE - the area where a shooter would attempt to score between a goalie's leg pads.

FORECHECKING - hustling into the opponent's zone with the objective of keeping the puck in their zone and hopefully gaining possession.

FREEZING THE PUCK - pinning the puck against the boards with a stick or skates. Results in a face-off.

GAME MISCONDUCT - a penalty that disqualifies a player for the remainder of the game (usually for fighting or arguing).

GOAL CREASE - blue areas in front of each goal designed to protect goalies from interference by attacking players.

HAT TRICK - three goals by one player in a game.

HEAD MANNING - a forward pass made to an attacking player.

MAN ADVANTAGE - a team with one or more players on the ice than its opponent.

MAJOR PENALTY - a 5 minute penalty assessed for fighting and other flagrant minor infractions that result in injury.

MINOR PENALTY - a 2 minute penalty assessed for general infractions..

MISCONDUCT PENALTY - a 10 minute penalty assessed against a player (usually for arguing). Substitutes are permitted.

NEUTRAL ICE - the area between the two blue lines.

OFFENSE - controlling the puck or on the attack.

OFFENSIVE ZONE - the area of the rink from the opponent's blue line to the end of the rink that contains the opposition's goal. The zone where the team attempts to score.

PENALTY KILLING - the act of preventing goals while playing shorthanded.

POINT MAN - the defenseman in the attacking zone.

POWER PLAY - when a team has a one or two man advantage.

RUSH - quickly advancing up the ice by a player(s).

SCREEN - the action of blocking the view of someone, usually the goalie.

SHORTHANDED - playing with fewer players than the other team.

SLOT MAN - the attacking player stationed 15 to 20 feet in front of the goal.

ZAMBONI - the machine used to "clean" or resurface the ice sheet.