| THE NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUE
The NHL was established in November 1917. Initially, there were
five franchises: the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Wanderers,
Quebec Bulldogs, and the Toronto Arenas. There were many changes to the
NHL and its teams between 1917 and 1941, but in 1942 the league stabilized
with the teams that have become known as the "Original Six."
The original six teams were the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks,
Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and
the Toronto Maple Leafs. Today, there are 30 teams in
30 cities across North America (6 in Canada and 24 in the U.S.).
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OBJECT OF THE GAME
Hockey is played on an ice surface by two teams of six players wearing
skates that allow them to move at speeds of up to 30 mph. The object of
this fast-paced game is for the players, using a stick, to put a small
hard rubber disk (puck) into the net of the opposing team, thus scoring
a goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. The
rules governing the game are designed to keep the game flowing with lots
of action up and down the ice.
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HOW THE GAME WORKS
GOAL: A goal is scored when the puck entirely crosses
the vertical plane of the red goal line into the net. A goal will not
be allowed if the puck has been thrown or otherwise deliberately directed
by an attacking player into the net by any means other than the stick.
However, the puck can be deflected off a skate or off the attacking player's
body if no overt attempt is made to throw or kick it into the net. If
a player of the defending team puts the puck into the net in any way,
the goal will also be allowed. A goal will be disallowed if an attacking
player initiates contact with the goaltender.
FACE-OFF: This is the method by which the puck is put
into play. During a face-off, one player from each team lines up to face
each other at one of the rink's nine face-off spots. The referee or linesman
drops the puck between the players, who then battle for possession.
Length of the Game
PERIODS: In the NHL, the game is divided into three 20-minute
periods. Since the clock is stopped when the play is stopped, one period
will usually take up to 35 minutes to play. There is a 15-minute intermission
between periods during which time the ice is resurfaced. During the regular
season, if the score is even (tied) after three periods of regulation
play, the teams will be awarded one point each and will then play an additional
overtime period of not more than five minutes, with the team scoring first
(sudden death) declared the winner and awarded an additional point. The
overtime period is played with only four skaters and one goaltender per
team. During the playoffs, since there can be no tie games, 20-minute
sudden death overtime periods are played, with the regular five on five
format used, until a team scores.
STANDINGS: Regular season standings are determined by
points awarded according to a team's won/lost/tied record. A team is awarded
two points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss.
A team losing in overtime is also awarded one point. At the end of the
regular season, the top eight teams in each conference advance to the
Stanley Cup Playoffs and the playoff conference champions will face each
other in the Stanley Cup Finals. When the playoffs are complete, the two
finalists will have played in four best-of-seven series (16-28 games)
over the course of the playoffs.
OFFICIALS: In the National Hockey League, four officials
enforce the rules on the ice. The referees, who are distinguished by orange
armbands, call violations and penalties and have the final decision on
any dispute. The referees are assisted by linesmen who call off-side,
icing and penalties under unique circumstances.
THE STANLEY CUP: The Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy
competed for by professional athletes in North America. It was donated
in 1893 by Canada's Governor General, Sir Frederick Arthur, also known
as Lord Stanley, Earl of Preston, to reward the best Canadian amateur
hockey teams. Since 1926, only NHL teams have competed for the silver
trophy. Each member of the winning team has their name engraved in the
cup.
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THE TOOLS - THE
PLAYERS - THE RINK
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