Why do they pull the goalie in hockey?
No matter how long you have watched hockey, it is still odd to see a goalie rush to his own bench and leave an empty net behind. There must be a good reason for it. Let’s take a closer look. A hockey team will pull their goalie in the last few minutes of the game, […]
What were the original NHL teams? (Hint: There were 4)
Original 4? Shouldn’t it be Original 6? When I looked into the history of the NHL, as a lifelong hockey fan I was surprised that the NHL started with just 4 teams, not 6. And only 1 of the original 4 teams is part of what is known as the original 6. So, who were […]
How many minutes do NHL players play?
An NHL game is 60 minutes long. There are more than five players on each team, so how does the coach split up the ice time between players? How long would a player play each night? Is there a difference between players? When looking at how many minutes NHL players play, it is most helpful […]
How do line changes work in hockey?
Hockey is known as the fastest game on earth, and line changes in hockey contribute to this. However, they are also a confusing part of the game: players coming on & off during the flow of the game at seemingly random times. Who comes off? Who goes on? How do they know? How do line […]
What is the long change in hockey?
There are so many hockey terms that are made reference to in the sport, but the name offers little clue to what it actually means! One of these terms is “long change”. What is a long change in hockey and how does it work? The long change in hockey refers to the time of the […]
How to read the NHL standings?
When following any new sport, it is important to figure out how to read the standings of the primary league, and following the NHL is no different. The standings can be confusing at first, but with a little knowledge they are quite straightforward. The purpose of the NHL standings is to show which team, at […]
Can hockey games end in a tie? (and what happens next)
The rules for a tie have changed in hockey. For a long time, a tie game was quite common to see at the professional level, but the NHL wanted to make sure that there was a winner and loser each and every game so they changed the way the game was structured; the tie in […]
What is a penalty shot in hockey?
If you are at a hockey game and you want to hear the crowd go crazy in anticipation, cross your fingers that you get to see a penalty shot. The penalty shot is a unique, one-of-a-kind play in ice hockey. Let’s look at this exciting play! What is a penalty shot in hockey? A penalty […]
What NHL teams have never won a Stanley Cup? A guide to futility
The Stanley Cup is one of the most prized possessions in all of sports. It is awarded to the NHL team that survives the gruelling two months of playoff hockey. There are 32 teams in the NHL… so, what nhl teams have never won a Stanley Cup? Embed from Getty Images The Vancouver Canucks bench […]
Field Hockey vs. Ice Hockey: What’s the difference?
When you say the word hockey what do you think of? Depending on which country you are in, you will probably think of ice hockey or field hockey. If you are in Canada, the U.S., the Scandinavian countries, or Eastern Europe, the word hockey will conjure up images of ice hockey. If you are in […]