Origins.
The roots of hockey are unclear. Some believe it started from hurling
others believe that when the Brits went to Canada they could play field
hockey much faster on the ice covered ponds than on grass.
The 'modern game'
however was founded in Canada in the 1800s. The first indoor
hockey game played in Montreal in 1875. By the
1890s it had become extremely popular and had spread to the United States.
Since
1917, the National Hockey League (NHL) has been the main professional body
for US and Canadian teams.
Stanley Cup.
The sole aim of each team in each NHL division is to win the Stanley Cup - the oldest
sports trophy in North America. It is awarded to the best hockey team in
the entire league.
The Montreal Canadiens have won Stanley Cup 23 times since the NHL started.
The Toronto Maple Leafs come a distant second at 13.
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Rules.
Ice hockey is played on a rectangular rink about 180 to 200 ft long and
85 to 100 ft wide. The rink is surrounded by 4 ft high walls. The goal
mouth is 4 ft high by 6 ft wide.
There are six players per team: goalie,
centre, two defensemen, and two forwards.
The game is split into three 20-min periods. After a face-off
(puck is dropped between two opposing players), each team tries to get
the puck past the other team and into their net.
Its a fast, body-bruising sport, where the puck can travel at speeds up
to 100 mph. Players use protective equipment, and there is no
limit on substitutions.
Penalties.
Hockey is probably the only game in the
world where everyone knows rules will be broken before
the game even starts. And it's the only major sport which sets aside a
space for offenders. Here are some of the most common fouls which result
in a player spending 2 minutes in the 'penalty box'.
Spearing. Stabbing an opponent with the
point of the stick blade.
Cross-checking. Checking (colliding) with a player with both
hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice.
Boarding. Driving, throwing, checking or tripping, an opponent so
they hit the boards violently.
Slashing. Player swings his stick at an opponent or slashes him
with it.
Roughing. A player, or players, are guilty of 'unnecessary
roughness'... fighting. |
