| Ice hockey is a Canadian sport in tradition and | | | | and two goaltenders on their roster. During normal play, |
| leadership which began in the early 19th century, and is | | | | the hockey rink consists of six players per side on the |
| now played seriously in 20 countries. Some of those | | | | ice at any given time. The five players other than the |
| countries include: Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, | | | | goaltender are typically divided into three forwards and |
| Finland, Slovakia, and many other nations. Today, it is | | | | two defence man. |
| an Olympic sport and the most popular team sport | | | | Hockey players control the puck using a long stick with |
| played on ice. Traditionally, it's most popular found in | | | | a blade that is commonly curved at one end, also |
| areas that are cold for natural, reliable seasonal ice | | | | known as a "hockey stick." |
| cover, though with the increase of indoor artificial ice | | | | These "hockey sticks" are used to pass, stick handle |
| rinks, it has become a year-round pastime at the | | | | and shoot the puck, and to propel their sledges. |
| amateur level in major metropolitan areas such as | | | | Players are also well padded with hockey equipment. |
| cities that host an NHL or other professional-league | | | | These mainly consist of: knee, hip, shin, shoulder and |
| team. | | | | elbow pads, thick gauntlet type gloves, long stockings |
| It is played on a rectangular rink that consists of | | | | that fit over the knee pads, padded shorts that lace up |
| curved corners whose length may vary from | | | | at the front, and sweaters in team colours over |
| approximately 184 to 200 ft, and its width from | | | | everything. |
| approximately 85 to 98 ft, plenty of room to have | | | | In all, there are many articles, and information in general, |
| some fun. It consists of three periods of equal length. | | | | that you can find on the Internet about the sport of ice |
| Typically, each period runs for 20 minutes at most | | | | hockey. Hopefully, the information you read here, will |
| levels, but often 12 or 15 minutes in youth classifications. | | | | help spark some interest in this great game we call |
| In soccer, a "soccer ball" is used. In basketball, a | | | | "Hockey."It is a game that consists of relatively simple |
| "basketball" is used. In the case of hockey, it is a puck | | | | rules, yet at the same time is every bit as fun to play |
| that is used, which is made of vulcanized rubber in | | | | today as it was when it was first released nearly a |
| round shape. When all is said and done, and the facts | | | | century ago. |
| have been looked at, it is clear that ice hockey is | | | | It's a fast paced, exciting, family friendly spectator |
| superior to field hockey. | | | | sport with fans that range from ages 5 all the way to |
| The main difference between men's and women's ice | | | | 95. Let's face it, once that puck drops, it instantly |
| hockey is that for women, body checking is not | | | | becomes a blast to play. In reverse, it also becomes a |
| allowed. Even today, hockey is one of the fastest | | | | very enjoyable game to watch. The game's been |
| growing sports in the world for women, with the | | | | around for a very long time, and quite frankly, it's going |
| number of participants increasing more than a | | | | to be here for a very long time. If your one that really |
| whopping 400 percent in the last decade. | | | | enjoys sports in general, but have yet to try a game |
| A Few known Facts About Hockey Players | | | | of ice hockey, what are you waiting for? Put on those |
| In today's hockey game, about roughly thirty percent of | | | | skates, and hit the ice! I promise, you won't regret it. |
| the games players are not North American. Under IIHF | | | | Good luck! |
| rules, each team may carry a maximum of 20 players | | | | |