Here are the top 30 hockey slangs you should know:
- Hat-trick – When a player scores three goals in one game
- Puck – The rubber disc that is used in the game
- Zamboni – The machine used to resurface the ice between periods
- Top shelf – A shot that goes in the top part of the net
- Five-hole – The space between a goaltender’s legs
- Snipe – A well-placed shot that beats the goalie
- Dangle – To deke or fake out an opponent with the puck
- Chirp – To trash talk or insult an opponent
- Enforcer – A player whose primary role is to fight and protect their teammates
- Grinder – A player who works hard and doesn’t give up easily
- Puck bunny – A female fan who is primarily attracted to hockey players
- Blue-liner – A defenseman
- Power play – When a team has a numerical advantage due to a penalty to the other team
- Short-handed – When a team is playing with fewer players due to a penalty
- Hat toss – When fans throw their hats onto the ice to celebrate a hat-trick
- Stickhandling – The ability to control the puck with the stick
- Slap shot – A hard shot with a full wind-up
- Wrist shot – A quick and accurate shot with a flick of the wrist
- Faceoff – When two players battle for control of the puck at the start of play
- Body check – When a player uses their body to hit an opponent
- One-timer – When a player shoots the puck without stopping or settling it first
- Breakaway – When a player gets behind the defense with only the goaltender to beat
- Toe drag – A move where the player drags the puck with the toe of their stick
- Sauce pass – A high, arcing pass
- Deke – A move where the player fakes out an opponent with a change of direction
- D-man – Short for defenseman
- PIM – Penalty minutes
- Stick tape – The tape wrapped around the stick to improve grip
- Neutral zone – The area of the ice between the two blue lines
- Backcheck – When a player hustles back on defense to prevent an opposing team’s scoring opportunity.