Altercation Any physical interaction between two or more opposing players that results in a penalty (or penalties) being assessed.

Assist An assist is credited to a player who helps set up a goal. Assists are awarded to the last man to handle the puck immediately preceding the goal. There is a maximum of two assists per goal.

Attacking zone When you are on the attack, your attacking zone is between your opponent's blue line and goal line.

Back check Forwards in their offensive zone skate back quickly to their own defensive zone to protect their goal and keep the opponent from shooting.

Blocker For the goalie, the glove that goes on the hand that holds the stick.

Blue line Two lines running across the width of the rink, one on either side of the red line. The area between the blue lines is called the neutral zone.

Boarding Violently checking an opponent into the boards from behind. Boarding is illegal and merits a penalty.

Boards The wall around a hockey rink (which was at one time really made of wood but which is now usually of fiberglass) measuring about 42 inches high and topped off by synthetic glass to protect the spectators while giving them a good view of the action.

Body check A body check is where you use your body against an opponent who has possession of the puck. Legal body checking must be done only with the hips or shoulders and must be above the opponent's knees and below the neck. Unnecessarily rough body checking is penalized.

Box A defensive alignment (similar to the diamond) often used by a team defending against a power play.

Breakaway A player in control of the puck has a breakaway when the only opponent between him and the opposition's goal is the goalie (and a reasonable scoring opportunity exists).

Breakout The play used by the attacking team to move the puck out of its own zone and up the ice toward the opponent's goal.

Butt ending Using the shaft of the stick to jab or attempt to jab an opposing player. Known in Quebec as "donner six pouces" (to give six inches).

Catcher For the goalie, this is a glove (which looks like a fancy first-baseman's mitt) that goes on the non-stick hand.

Center In a traditional alignment with three forwards, the center plays between the left and right wings.

Changing on the fly When players from the bench substitute for players on the ice, while the clock is running.

Charging Taking more than three strides before deliberately checking an opponent.

Clearing the puck When the puck is passed, knocked, or shot away from the front of the goal net or other area.

Crease The semi-circular area in front of each goal is called the crease. If any offensive player is in the goal crease when a goal is scored, the goal is not allowed. The crease is painted blue. The goal crease is designed to protect the goalies from interference by attacking players. The area marked on the ice in front of the penalty timekeeper's seat is for the use of the referee.

Cross checking Hitting an opponent with the shaft of the stick while both hands are on the stick and no part of the stick is on the ice.