Once you have read through the contents, you will be on your way to understanding this great game of hockey!
Hockey is played on an ice surface by two teams of six players wearing skates that allow them to move at speeds between 20-30 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.
In MAHA, the game is divided into three 15-minute periods. During the regular season, if the score is tied after regulation play it is recorded as a tie. On average, MAHA games take approximately 1 hour to complete.
The means by which the puck is put into play to start a game or to resume play.
A goal is scored when the puck entirely crosses the 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.
Center
The middle of the ice from end-to-end is his primary territory, leading the attack by carrying the puck on offense. He exchanges passes with his wingmen to steer the play toward the enemy goal.
Goaltender
By any method he can employ, the goalie's primary job is to keep the opposition from putting the puck into his goal.
Wings
Moving up and down the sides of the ice with the direction of play, the wings work with the center on the attack to set up shots at the goal. Defensively, they try to disrupt plays by the opposing wings and upset their shot attempts.
Defensemen
They try to stop the incoming play at their own blue line. They attempt to block shots, cover opposing forwards and clear the puck from in front of their own goal. On offense they get the puck to their center and wings and follow the play into the attacking zone to maintain the offensive momentum.
Offside
When any member of the attacking team crosses the defending team's blue line before the puck, offside is called. Play is stopped and a faceoff is held in the neutral zone outside the defending team's blue line.
Offside Pass
Sometimes called as a two-line offside. An offside pass is called when a member of the attacking team passes the puck up the ice across his own blue line and the center red line to a teammate. Play is stopped and a faceoff is held at the spot from which the pass was started.
Icing the Puck
When
a player shoots the puck up the ice from his side of the center line and
across the opponent's goal line, and the puck is touched by an opposing
player, icing is called. Play is stopped and a faceoff is held in one of the
circles at the offending team's end of the ice. This rule does not apply to
a team playing shorthanded due to a penalty or if the puck goes into the
opponent's goal.
Referee
Supervises the game and is in complete charge. Handles in the break-up of an altercation — monitors player benches and individual players for possible infractions — minor, major or misconduct. Wears red/orange band on his arm.
Linesmen
Two are utilized in the upper levels and one in the lower levels. They call off-sides and icing the puck. Handle face-offs following most stoppages of play They help break up altercations between players. They do not call penalties, but do make recommendations to the referee.
Goal Judge
One sits off-ice behind each net and indicates when a goal has been scored by turning on the "red light" just above his station. Referee can ask his advice on disputed goals, but the referee is the final authority and can overrule the goal judge.
Official Scorer - Helps determine which player scores and credits assists, if any. Only two players can be credited with an assist on goals.