Listeners:
Top listeners:
play_arrow
Atom Radio
play_arrow
Best of Brakfast Episode 174 Yana Bolder
Ice hockey is fast, physical, and sometimes a bit confusing if you’re new to it. But once you understand the basics, it becomes one of the most exciting sports to watch.
Here’s a simple guide to help you get your head around teams, tactics, and penalties.
The Basics
Ice hockey is played between two teams on an ice rink. The aim is simple: score more goals than the opposition by shooting the puck into their net.
A standard game is split into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes.
Team Structure
Each team has six players on the ice at a time:
Goalie (Goaltender) – protects the net and stops shots
Defencemen (2) – stay back, block attacks, and move the puck forward
Forwards (3) – made up of a centre and two wingers, mainly responsible for attacking and scoring
Teams rotate players in short bursts called “shifts,” usually lasting 30 to 60 seconds because the game is so intense.
At the top level, like the National Hockey League, teams have full squads and roll lines constantly to keep players fresh.
Positions Explained
Centre
The playmaker. Takes face-offs, links defence and attack, and often covers the most ice.
Wingers
Play on the left and right. Focus on attacking, creating chances, and supporting the centre.
Defencemen
Protect their own zone, block shots, and try to stop the opposition from getting clear chances.
Goalie
The last line of defence. Uses pads, gloves, and reflexes to stop the puck going in.
Key Tactics
Even Strength (5-on-5)
This is normal play when both teams have five skaters and a goalie. Teams try to balance attack and defence.
Forechecking
Pressuring the opposition in their own zone to win the puck back quickly. Aggressive teams use this a lot.
Breakout
Moving the puck out of your own defensive zone and into attack. Good breakouts are quick and controlled.
Power Play
When one team has more players on the ice due to a penalty. This is a big chance to score, and teams often set up in attacking formations to move the puck and create openings.
Penalty Kill
The opposite of a power play. The short-handed team focuses on defending, blocking shots, and clearing the puck.
Understanding Penalties
Penalties are a big part of ice hockey and can change a game quickly. When a player commits a foul, they are sent to the penalty box, leaving their team short-handed.
Common Penalties
Tripping – knocking an opponent’s legs out from under them
Hooking – using the stick to slow down an opponent
Slashing – hitting an opponent with the stick
Holding – grabbing an opponent to stop them moving
High-sticking – hitting someone with your stick above shoulder height
Most of these result in a 2-minute minor penalty.
Bigger Penalties
Major penalty (5 minutes) – for more serious offences like fighting
Misconduct (10 minutes) – for bad behaviour or repeated offences
During a minor penalty, if the team on the power play scores, the penalised player can return. During a major penalty, they must serve the full time regardless of goals.
Why It’s So Exciting
Ice hockey is unique because everything happens quickly.
There are constant changes between attack and defence, big hits, fast skating, and dramatic goals.
Once you understand the flow, the tactics, and the penalties, it all starts to click.
And before long, you’re not just watching the game… you’re reading it. Now come and watch it live for yourself – http://Buytickets.at/sloughjets
A murder investigation has been launched in Slough after a child died in hospital following serious injuries. A twenty seven year old man and a twenty eight year old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder and grievous bodily harm on March the twenty sixth. Both have been released on conditional police bail while enquiries continue. Detective Inspector Nick Hind described the case as an exceptionally tragic incident in which […]
