Lingo
Library

Quick increase in speed

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Defenseman joins offense

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Forcing opponent into less dangerous area

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Predicting next action

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Predicting next play

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Help from weak side

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Poorly timed substitution

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Regaining stability after contact

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Shot off crossbar into net

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Knowing line changes

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Passing without looking

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Stopping shot with body

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Angle of delivering check

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Using body movement to deceive

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Using body position to gain advantage

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Using body to gain advantage

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Prevent opponent access to net

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Adjust shooting or passing angle

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Move to different path

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Soft dump and pursuit

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Slapshot with full wind-up

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Using time strategically

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Intensity and effort in play

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When to initiate physical play

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Deliberate pacing

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Competing in corners

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Move toward center ice

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Misleading opponent

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Effectiveness of choices

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How fast player makes choices

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All players protecting net

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A deceptive move to fake out a defender or goalie. The word comes from decoy. Dekes can involve moving the puck from forehand to backhand, faking a shot, or using your body to sell a move in one direction while going another. The best dekes look effortless because the player has practiced them until they are automatic.

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Slowing play to create options

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Two players pressuring one

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Absorb shot for team

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Using skating edges to fake

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High-energy period of play

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Goal scored on empty net

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Decrease in intensity

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Controlling stamina

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Stopping opponent entry

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Stopping opponent exit

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Initial breakout pass

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The space between a goalie legs. When a goalie stands in their ready position, there are five openings: over the left shoulder (1), over the right shoulder (2), low left (3), low right (4), and between the legs (5). Scoring five-hole is common on breakaways when the goalie opens their legs during a butterfly movement.

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Making rushed decision

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Energy or depth line

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Momentarily stopping defender movement

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Area directly in front of goal

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Understanding full ice situation

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Understanding game context

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Overall pace and rhythm

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Scrappy goal near net

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Unforced turnover

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Lack of awareness

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Awareness of surroundings

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Powerful shot with force

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Smart likely-to-succeed action

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Upper area of slot

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Fast-paced play

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Game understanding

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Low-probability attempt

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High-effort action

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Central ice path

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Being closer to middle than opponent

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One-on-one situation

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Anticipate and intercept

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Misleading about intended path

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Trailing player arriving after initial play

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Diving to make play

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Matching players vs opponents

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Unlikely to succeed action

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Slower-paced play

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Failure to cover opponent

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Change in game control

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Shift in game control

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Weak or soft shot

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Competing in front of net

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Driving hard to net

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Skating directly toward net

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Competing near net

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Path toward goal

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Blocking opponent access to net front

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Players screening goalie

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Managing middle ice

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Turning body to face ice for better options

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Keeping opponent to perimeter

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Perimeter ice path

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Two defensemen playing together

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Pretending to pass

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Path for passing

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Available teammate for pass

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Waiting for best option

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Interpreting developing situation

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Stay within skill level

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Player who sets up goals

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Shot from blue line

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First pass leading to goal

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Player directing power play

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Fast substitution

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How fast a player can get a shot off. A player with a quick release can go from handling the puck to shooting in a fraction of a second. They do not need a big wind-up or perfect position. This is what makes shooters like Ovechkin or Matthews so dangerous. The goalie knows the shot is coming but the release is so fast they still cannot stop it.

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Fast breakout pass

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Slow response to play

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Interpret developing situation

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Where to be for rebounds

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Quickness to regain position

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When a shot is taken for best effect

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High-risk decision

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Hard fast shot

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Risking body for team

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Low-risk decision

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Influence of score on play

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Position blocking goalie view

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Opportunity after initial shot

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Extra push after initial play

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Second pass leading to goal

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Fully commit to play

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Time spent on ice

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Productivity during shift

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Duration of time on ice

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Open space to shoot

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Quick time on ice

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Trying to block shot

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Area used to block shot

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Disguising shot intent

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Pretending to shoot

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Path for shooting

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Opening path for shot

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Choosing when and where to shoot

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Number of shots generated

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Understanding moment in game

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Delayed reaction to change

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A quick-release shot combining elements of a wrist shot and slap shot. The player pulls the puck back slightly and snaps their wrists to release it without a full wind-up. Snapshots are the most common shot in professional hockey because goalies have less time to react compared to a slap shot where they can see the wind-up coming.

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Precise, accurate shot

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Elite goal scorer

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Maintaining proper distance between teammates

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Defenseman focused on defense

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Long pass to create breakaway

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Effective skating movement

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Teammate helping exit

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Forcing opponent turnover

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Managing speed of game

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Restrict opponent movement

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Freedom to make play

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Arriving in position at the right moment

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Staying on ice too long

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The upper part of the net, just under the crossbar. Scoring top shelf is considered a skilled shot because it requires accuracy and the ability to elevate the puck quickly. The phrase top shelf where mama hides the cookies is a classic hockey expression.

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Operating in congested areas

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Player following rush

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Seeing plays develop

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Moving laterally at point

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Speed skating ability

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Skating behind the net and trying to wrap the puck around the post into the goal. Wraparounds work when the goalie overcommits to one side or when a player has enough speed to get the puck around the post before the goalie reacts. They can also create rebounds that teammates can score on.

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