Sports |

Hockey 101: Introduction to the game of UMaine

By Alison Huff

Posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2009, 12:00 am

Over the years, I have been to many hockey games. Usually, I have a friend or two with me. Sometimes they know nothing about the game, and as a result don’t fully enjoy it and just sit there in confusion. That was me in the beginning. I went to games with my dad, who had to answer my incessant questions. I’ve noticed that my friends tend to ask me the same questions I asked dad way back when. As a result, I am going to give a mini-tutorial of hockey to those who either have never been to a game and want to go, or have been to a game and have no idea what is going on. I will start within the basics.

Each game lasts 60 minutes. Instead of quarters or innings, there are three periods lasting 20 minutes each. Between periods there are 15 minute intermissions. During these two intermissions multiple things occur. First, the Zamboni – that funny looking vehicle going around the ice – needs to have enough time to smooth the ice and run some water over it to create a new layer. The last thing a hockey player needs is to come across a hole or scratch in the ice and injure himself. Second, it allows the fans to play games or watch the little kids playing a mini game of hockey. Third, if we need to go to the bathroom or get food, we have enough time to do so without disturbing others watching the game. This brings me to something that has irked me for years: People completely forget that there are others watching the game when they move from their seats. If we remember nothing else, we need to keep this in mind: Do not move to or from your seat while the game is going on unless it’s an emergency. It is not pleasant when I have to adjust myself to see when someone just has to get their hot dog to their seat as UMaine scores a goal.

One more thing that fans should not do: Do not throw anything onto the ice. This will result in a UMaine player being put in the penalty box for two minutes. Objects on the ice are about as desirable as a big scratch.

Each team has six players on the ice under normal circumstances: three offensive players, two defensemen and a goalie. Each set of offense and defense are considered separate lines. Although the players are in better shape than most of us, they can only play for so long before they need to rest. If you hear a coach whistle, this means the lines on the ice need to come back so other lines can go out and play. The defense can stay out a little longer than the offense. The goalie is only switched when he is having a bad night and letting goals in. Ultimately, the object of each team is to score goals and not let the other team score.

Part two of the hockey tutorial will be in the Thursday, Feb. 19 issue.