A player who skates poorly with their ankles bent inwards. Also see ‘bender’.
“He just started skating last year, he's still a total ankle burner.”
Apple ap·ple • /ˈapəl/
An assist.
“Jimmy had a no-look apple from behind the net on Jeff's game-winning goal.”
Anchor an·chor • /ˈaNGkər/
A teammate who sinks the team.
“Brad gave up two pizzas and scored on his own net, what an absolute anchor.”
Axe (1) axe • /aks/
When a player gets cut from the team or sent down.
“Cameron got the axe after training camp.”
Axe (2) axe • /aks/
A stick.
“Gord had to grab a new axe after breaking his last game.”
B
Babysitter ba·by·sit·ter • /ˈbābēˌsidər/
When a superstar player is put on a line with two lesser-skilled players.
“The babysitter helped her linemates raise their goals per game average.”
Backcheck back·check • /ˈbakCHek/
Skating back when the opposing team is attacking the offensive zone.
“Backchecking is just as important as forechecking.”
Bag of milk bag-of-milk • /bag-uhv-milk/
A commonly used chirp in hockey, in reference to a player's weight.
“I don't know how he keeps up out there, he looks like a bag of milk.”
Bag skate bag-skate • /bag skāt/
When a team is skated relentlessly by their coach during practice.
“The coach bag skated his players after showing no heart in their previous matchup.”
Banana ba·nan·a • /bəˈnanə/
When a player's curve is too big.
“Kristy's banana blade allowed her to help the puck in the crease.”
Bandaid band·aid • /ˈban-ˈdād/
A player that's always hurt.
“Steve always breaks something, he’s such a bandaid.”
BarDownski bar·down·ski • /bärˈdoun, skē/
A nickname given to a member of the BarDown team.
BarDown (1) bar·down • /bärˈdoun/
When the puck hits the crossbar and goes down into the net. Also called ‘bar south’.
“Jenna sniped bar down over the tendy’s shoulder to give her team the W.”
BarDown (2) bar·down • /bärˈdoun/
Literally us, BarDown.
Barn barn • /bärn/
A hockey arena.
“The barn was packed to the brim for the championship.”
Barn burner barn burn·er • /bärnˈbərnər/
A very close, high-scoring game.
“We’ve got a barn burner with both teams going back and forth on the scoresheet.”
Bar north bar-north • /ˈbärˈnȯrth/
When the puck hits the crossbar and goes up.
Bar out bar-out • /ˈbärˈaut/
Specifically at an ODR - when the puck hits the crossbar and flies out of the rink.
“You went bar out bud, you go get it!”
Bar south bar-south • /ˈbär ˈsau̇th/
See ‘BarDown'
Basket bas·ket • /ˈbaskət/
The net.
“Josh buried his breakaway right in the basket.”
Baud baud • /bahd/
A slang term for the word ‘bud’; the most commonly used word in hockey.
“Keep your head up out there, baud.”
Beak beak • /bēk/
Trash talk for someone with a big nose.
“Hey bud, that's quite the beak you've got between your eyes. Did you break it or something?”
Beautician beau·tic·ian • /byoo-tish-uh n/
Another term of endearment for somebody that is either a great player on the ice and/or off the ice too.
“The captain's leadership made him an all-around beautician.”
Beauty beau·ty • /ˈbyo͞odē/
Used to refer to players that are great on and off the ice.
“The captain of the team is often the biggest beauty.”
Beaver tap bea·ver tap • / ˈbē-vər ˈtap/
Slapping your stick on the ice to call for a pass.
Bench boss bench-boss • /ben(t)SH bôs/
The head coach.
“Coach Beuks was the bench boss of the team for one season.”
Benchwarmer bench·warm·er • /ˈben(t)SHˌwôrmər/
A player that sits most of the game on the bench.
“The benchwarmer was forced to watch as his teammates competed in the championship game.”
Bender bend·er • /ˈbendər/
Used to describe somebody who is simply not good at hockey. (In reference to someone's ankles bending while trying to skate).
“It was his first time playing, so he was inevitably the biggest bender on the ice.”
Big hitter big hit·ter • /big hit/
A player that hits big.
“Stay away from Stevie or you’ll end up on a stretcher, he’s a big hitter.”
(the) Big skate big-skate • /biɡ ˌskāt/"
A long looping turn instead of a quick stop and direction change.
“Matt's a beginner skater, so instead of a hockey stop he did the big skate."
Birdcage bird·cage • /ˈbərdˌkāj/
A cage on a helmet.
“The forward rocked a birdcage to avoid losing any teeth.”
Biscuit bis·cuit • /ˈbiskit/
A puck.
“Adam dished the biscuit to Brock on a 2-on-1 for the goal.”
Black Ace Black Ace • /blakˌ eys/
An AHL player whose team was eliminated, and then called up by the NHL affiliate for a playoff game.
“Since the Charlotte Checkers are eliminated, the Hurricanes have recalled three Black Aces for their playoff run.”
Blowing a gasket
When a player loses their edge.
“It looked like she tripped over the blue line when she blew a gasket there.”
Blowing a tire
When a player loses their footing.
“Justin needed help to the bench after he blew a tire.”
Blown up blown-up • /blōn əp/
Getting hit hard during game play.
“The forward got BLOWN UP at centre ice.”
Blueliner blue·lin·er • / ˈblü ˈlī-nər/
A defenceman
“The blueliners played with their heads in the clouds today, allowing way too many odd-man rushes.”
Bodied bod·ied • /ˈbädēd/
Getting hit hard.
“The defender bodied the forward into the boards.”
Bookmark book·mark • / ˈbu̇k-ˌmärk/
See ‘grocery stick’.
Boots boots • /bo͞ots/
A pair of skates.
“Ashley had the quickest boots in the league.”
Bottle popper bot·tle pop·per • /ˈbädl ˈpäpər/
When a goal breaks/pops the goalie's water bottle.
“She sniped upstairs with a nasty bottle rocket.”
Bow
bow • /bō/
When you get hit with an elbow.
“Arnold was forced to leave the game after taking a bow to the nose.”
Breadbasket bread·bas·ket • /ˈbred-ˌba-skət/
Refers to a goalie's chest.
“Adam shot the puck right into the goalie's breadbasket.”
Breezers breez·er • /brēzər/
Hockey pants.
“The team's breezers had stripes along the sides to match their jerseys.”
Bucket buck·et • /ˈbəkət/
Slang term used to describe a helmet.
“Erica took a slapshot off the bucket but was eventually deemed okay.”
Bucky buck·y • /ˈbəkē/
See ‘bucket’.
Bust bust • /bəst/
A player that doesn't live up to their potential.
“He was selected first overall but was labeled a bust after failing to play a single game.”
Butter but·ter • /ˈbə-tər/
To describe something smooth, such as a play or a player’s hands.
“Malcoms hands are butter-y on the ice.”
Butterfly but·ter·fly • /ˈbədərˌflī/
A goaltending technique meant to guard the lower part of the net by dropping to the knees in attempt to block a shot.
“Vince was able to save the goal by dropping into a butterfly.”
C
Call up call-up • / ˈkôlˌəp/
A player who is brought up from a lower league to a higher league.
“Jason was deemed a call up from the AHL after a forward from the organization's pro team came down with an illness.”
Can-opener can-open·er • /ˈōp-nər/
When a player puts their stick between another player’s legs and twists.
“Sam got two minutes in the box for a dirty can-opener.”
Celly cell·y • /ˈselē/
Used to describe a player's celebration after scoring or winning.
“She threw her gloves off to celly after scoring the championship-winning goal in overtime.”
Cheese cheese • /ˈchēz /
The top shelf of the net. Also known as ‘cheddar’.
“Danny scored top cheese.”
Chel chel • /ˈCHel/
Shortened version of ‘NHL’, often refers to EA Sports' video game series.
“Yo, you wanna crush a game of Chel after school?”
Cherry picker cher·ry pick·er • /ˈCHerē ˈpikər/
A player who doesn't help defensively and stays near center ice to get a puck chipped up to him for an easy breakaway.
“The cherry picker finally caught a break after a puck squeaked past the defenceman and sprung her on a breakaway.”
Chiclets chic·let • /CHiklet/
Teeth.
“Dennis lost a few chiclets after taking a slapshot to the jibs.”
Chip chip • /CHip/
When you lightly hit the puck off the boards.
“A chip by the winger in the defensive zone sprung his linemates on a 2-on-1.”
Chippy chip·py • /ˈchi-pē/
Used to characterize aggressive or rough play by a player or team.
“The opposing team was angry that they were losing and played a chippy third period.”
OR
“Matt got three penalties, he was getting chippy out there.”
Chirp chirp • /CHərp/
Synonym for 'insult'; trash talking opponents or teammates, can be friendly or hostile.
“Aaron chirped Brian for using green tape on his stick blade.”
Chisel chis·el • /ˈchi-zᵊl /
When a player purposely steals a point from a teammate by going up to the referee and claiming that they got an assist on a goal when they in fact didn’t earn one. A player who steals points this way is called a 'chiseler'.
“Ref, 14 didn't score that point, he's a chiseler!”
Chuckin' fists chuck·ing fists • /CHək iNG ,fists/
Dropping the gloves.
“The enforcers started chuckin' fists in a bout for the ages.”
Clapper clap·per • /ˈklapər/
A slapshot.
“Susie ripped a huge clapper from the point on the powerplay.”
Crashing the net crash·ing-the-net • /ˈkraSHiNG THə net/
Players going to the front of the net with a full head of steam, usually with intention of finding a rebound or loose puck. Also known as ‘crashing the crease.’
“Did you see Kurt crash the net to tie up the game?”
Crease crank crease-crank • /krēs, kraNGk/
Taking a clap bomb right in front of the tendy.
“Jesse is such a pigeon, he crease cranked his own goalie in warmies.”
Cycle cy·cle • /ˈsīk(ə)l/
An offensive strategy that moves the puck along the boards in the offensive zone to create a scoring chance by making defenders tired or moving them out of position.
“A two-pass cycle created space in the offensive zone for the eventual game-winner.”
D
Dangle dan·gle • /ˈdaNGɡəl/
Used to describe a deke.
“The 'toe-drag' is the most well known dangle in hockey.”
Dangler dan·gler • /ˈdaNGɡələr/
A player who is extremely skilled with stick-handling.
When a player dekes someone out, scores, and immediately celebrates.
“The forward managed to dangle, snipe, and then cellied by jumping into the glass.”
Datsyukian deke Dat·syu·ki·an-deke
One of the greatest deke's of all time. This move sends the goalie to the opposite side of the net, giving the player a completely empty net to score on.
Deke deke • /dēk/
When a player stick-handles the puck in a way that fools a defender or a goalie, putting them out of position and allowing the player to pass them.
“The forward scored a sick goal with a crazy deke.”
Diamond dia·mond • /ˈdī(ə)mənd/
Used to describe a team's penalty kill, in which the players defend in a diamond shaped formation.
“Keep shots outside with the diamond!”
Dig deep dig-deep • /diɡ dēp/
When a coach tells their players to kick things into extra gear.
“Dig deep boys, it's a tie game.”
Dipsy doodle dip·sy-doo·dle • /ˈdipsē ˌdo͞odl/
Synonym for stickhandling.
“He was dipsy doodling through the other team in the neutral zone.”
Dirty (1) dirt·y • /ˈdərdē/
An unfair, malicious play.
“Hitting from behind is just flat-out dirty.”
Dirty (2) dirt·y • /ˈdərdē/
A play that is so good it's crazy.
“Did you see that dirty dangle?”
Disgusting dis·gust·ing • /disˈɡəstiNG/
Next-level. So good it's definitely bad.
“He deked through their whole team to score, he's just disgusting.”
Dish dish • /diSH/
Making a pass.
“Franco made a perfect dish to Brandon on a back-door one-timer.”
Dome dome • /dōm/
A player's head, usually a large one.
“What size helmet does she wear, XXL? She's got an absolute dome.”
Donnybrook don·ny·brook • /ˈdä-nē-ˌbru̇k /
Chaos and disorder, usually in the form of a bench-clearing brawl.
“Our goalie got hit and the whole bench jumped onto the ice, it was quite the donnybrook.”
Draw draw • /drô/
Generally describes a face-off.
“Brittany won the draw after her original opponent was kicked out of the face-off circle.”
Dressing room guy dress·ing room guy • /dresiNG ˌro͝om ,ɡī/
A player who often lacks talent, but is well liked in the room.
“Cole is -4 this game, but the team loves him because he's a real dressing room guy.”
Drop the mitts/gloves drop-the-mitts/gloves • /dräp T͟Hə ɡləvs/
When a player challenges you to a fight, you both need to drop the mitts to signal your acceptance.
“The enforcers dropped the mitts to pump some energy into the game.”
Ducksworth ducks·worth • /ˈdəks ˈwərth/
Luca won, but Jesse should have.
“I SAID DUCKSWORTH!”
Dummied dum·mied • /ˈdəmē/
When someone gets absolutely demolished by a hit or in a fight.
“Tim yardied his gear after getting dummied at the blue line.”
Dump and change dump-and-change • / dəmp/ ˈand/CHānj/
Refers to getting the puck deep in the offensive zone and getting off the ice.
“Alright everyone, I'm out of oxygen, let's dump and change.”
Dump and chase dump-and-chase• / dəmp/ ˈand/CHās/
Refers to getting the puck deep in the offensive zone and chasing it to get it back.
“The defence is pressing, let’s dump and chase.”
Duster dust·er • /ˈdəstər/
Someone who is absolutely brutal at hockey and collects dust on the bench.
“BarDown's Jesse Pollock is a massive duster.”
Dust-up dust-up • /ˈdəst ˈəp/
A little scrap/fight.
“Two players engaged in a dust-up in front of the net after the goaltender was snowed in the face.”
E
Eat a dash eat-a-dash • / ēt ā /daSH/
Being on the ice when the opposing team scores a goal.
“She totally deked me out and then scored, I ate a dash on that play.”
Egg egg • /eɡ/
When the game ends 0-0.
"Both goalies were incredible, the game ended with a big egg."
Enforcer en·forc·er • /inˈfôrsər/
The player that steps in to fight and defend teammates.
“Our star player got hit from behind, so our enforcer stepped in and beat the wheels off the guy.”
F
Face wash face-wash • /fās wäSH/
Rubbing your mitts in your opponent's face during a scrum or fight.
“The defender gave the forward a face wash to send a message after the whistle.”
Fan fan • /fan/
When a player misses (fans) the puck while attempting a shot or a pass.
“The player had a wide open net but fanned on the puck.”
Ferda fer·da • / ˈfər də/
A term for phrase meaning "for the boys".
“Wanna play some puck ferda?”
Figure eights fig·ure eights • /ˌfiɡyər ˈāt/
Skating around circles, typically done in practice.
“The coach made his players skate figure eights to improve conditioning.”
Filthy filth·y • /ˈfilTHē/
Used to describe something that's great in hockey.
“The top scorer in the league had a filthy shot.”
Fired up fired-up • /ˈfī(ə)r əp/
Getting excited.
“The players were fired up after meeting at their own crease ahead of puck drop.”
Fishbowl fish·bowl • /ˈfiSHˌbōl/
A full visor helmet.
“Hey bud, nice fishbowl. Any goldfish swimming in there?”
Five-hole five-hole • /fīv hōl/"
The area between the goalie's legs that is often exposed/open.
“The puck trickled in, right through the goalie's five-hole.”
Flamingo fla·min·go • /fləˈmiNGɡō/
When a player lifts his leg to avoid blocking a shot.
“Ricky flamingo'd instead of blocking the slapshot on the penalty kill.”
Flash the leather flash the lea·ther • /ˈflash t͟hə ˈle-t͟hər/
When a goalie makes a quick glove save.
“Did you see that goalie flash the leather? Totally robbed the other team of a goal.”
Flex flex • /ˈfleks/
The amount of bend on a stick (the lower it is, the more whip).
“Hey, what's the flex on this thing?”
Flood flood • /fləd/
Used to describe a Zamboni cleaning the ice.
“The ODR needed a flood after last night's snowfall.”
Flopper flop·per • /flop/
A goalie prone to going down on the ice to stop pucks. The opposite of a 'stand up' goalie.
“Ben is one of the biggest flopper goalies in hockey.”
Flow flow • /flō/
Term used to describe player's long, beautiful hairstyles. Originates from the hair flowing out of the back of the player's helmet.
“His lettuce flowed through the wind like a young Hercules.”
FTB/FTG (For The Boys/For The Girls) F-T-B/F-T-G • /ef/tē/bē / ef/tē/jē/
When a teammate selflessly sacrifices themselves, often for the benefit of the rest of the team.
“He got down without thinking and blocked a shot with his face because he's FTB!!!!”
Forecheck fore·check • /ˈfôrCHek/
Attacking in the offensive zone.
“Let's get pucks in deep and get a forecheck going!”
Freezing the puck freez·ing the puck • /ˈfrē-ziŋ t͟hə ˈpək/
Trapping the puck so it cannot be played.
“The defenceman froze the puck in the corner as time wound down to preserve the victory.”
G
Gassed gas • /ɡas -ed/
Super tired.
“I'm gonna need an oxygen tank on the bench, I'm gassed.”
Gato gat·o • /ɡey tō/
Short form for Gatorade.
“There's nothing like a little Gato to keep you hydrated during a game.”
Gauntlet gaunt·let • /ˈɡôntlət/
The drill every PeeWee team did when learning how to bodycheck.
“The players were bagged after completing the gauntlet challenge.”
Gino gi·no • /ˈgēnō/
A goal.
“Brianna sniped top cheese for the nasty gino.”
Give-and-go
When you pass to a player and receive a pass back immediately.
“Riley and Chris teamed up for a nasty give-and-go goal.”
Glass glass • /ɡlas/
A player who is physically fragile on the ice.
“Wayne is so glass; he got clipped with a floater in the leg and somehow managed to break a bone.”
Golden goal gol·den goal • / ˈɡōldən/ɡōl
Refers to a game-winning, overtime goal. Used during the Olympics as the gold medal game-winning goal.
“Sidney Crosby, the Golden Goal! Canada, once in a lifetime!”
Gongshow gong·show • /ɡôNG SHō/
When a game gets out of hand, often because of a very lopsided score, resulting in fights and big hits breaking out.
“The 15-0 blowout turned into a gongshow and half of the players were in the box.”
Goon goon • /ɡo͞on/
A player who is often unskilled and is only on the ice with the intent of hitting, fighting and hurting opponents.
“The game was out of hand so the coach sent out the team's goon to stir the pot.”
Goose egg goose-egg • /ˈɡo͞os eɡ/
When a team fails to score a goal.
“The game ended with goose eggs after both goaltenders pitched a shutout.”
Used to describe when a point is given to a player who hasn’t actually earned it. Sometimes an extra assist is given when one isn’t warranted, or a player who wasn’t on the ice when a goal was scored is mistakenly given an assist.
“Luca keeps racking up these phantom assist points.”
Pigeon pi·geon • /ˈpijən/
Players who aren't necessarily good but still score goals here and there thanks to the help of their more skilled teammates. Sometimes a chirp about wearing a cage.
“He has two goals on the season and they're both from within a foot of the net, he's a pigeon.”
Pipes pipe • /pīp/
The posts of the net.
“The goaltender stands between the pipes.”
Pizza piz·za • /ˈpēt-sə/
A pass up the middle. A high risk play that often gets intercepted.
“That pass went straight to the opposing team, what a pizza.”
Plumber plumb·er • / ˈplə-mər/
A player that loves to do the dirty work.
Posts post • /pōst/
The game you play at the ODR when goalies aren't present.
“No goalies, who's in for a game of posts?”
Press Y press-y • /pres wī/
The button you press in EA's NHL series on Xbox to initiate a fight.
“BarDown's Corwin: ‘Hey, press Y.’”
Puck puck • / ˈpək/
A way of saying 'a game of hockey.'
“Call Matt and see if the boys are playing puck tonight.”
Puck luck puck·luck • /pək lək/
When the puck is bouncing in the player's favour.
“He had great puck luck after burying four goals around the net.”
Pucks in deep pucks-in-deep • /pəks/in/dēp/
Stereotypical interview term thrown around by hockey players when they don't know what else to say.
“Yeah, uhhh, y'know... we just gotta get pucks deep.”
Pull the trigger pull-the-trigger • /po͝ol/T͟Hə/ˈtriɡər/
Shooting the puck.
“Allison pulled the trigger at the empty net from her own zone.”
Pylon py·lon • /ˈpīˌlän/
A player, often a defenceman, who is so bad and immobile that they're as easy as a pylon for opposing players to get around.
“The 6'7” defender looked tough, but he was an absolute pylon out there.”
R
Ragdolled rag-doll • /ˈraɡ ˌdäl/
When someone is checked so hard that their body appears to go limp and resembles a ragdoll.
“Bobby's limbs were everywhere after that hit, he got ragdolled.”
Rent-a-goalie
Renting a random goaltender to fill in when the regular tendy can't show up.
“Our rent-a-goalie stood on her head while we were out-shot 60-20.”
Ringer ring·er • / ˈriŋ-ər/
A very talented player that isn't on your team but plays for your team on an on-call basis.
“We're playing the first place team, call the ringer!”
Rink rat rink-rat • /riNGk rat/
Someone who either loves being at the rink or works there.
“The rink rat was at the arena from 6 am to 9 pm.”
Ripper rip·per • /ˈripər/
A hard, powerful shot.
“The player let an absolute ripper go from the point with five seconds to go.”
Road apple road ap·ple • /rōd, apəl/
Horse manure that froze and was used as a puck.
“Rach used road apples to practice her stick-handling when she was on the farm.”
Robbed rob • /räb/
When a goalie makes a save on what should have been a goal.
“The goaltender robbed the forward with a glove save after getting dangled and falling out of position.”
Rocket rock·et • /ˈräkət/
Slang term for a blazing shot.
“He fired home a rocket from the point.”
Rock pile rock-pile • /räk, pīl/
A rookie.
“Adam was a little slow tonight, you can tell he’s a rock pile.”
Rookie rook·ie • /ˈro͝okē/
First year player.
“The rookie was forced to fill up the water bottles before every practice.”
S
Salad sal·ad • /ˈsaləd/
Refers to a player's shorter hairstyle.
“His salad was so luscious under his bucket.”
Salo sa·lo • /ˈsālō/
Flukey goal off of goalies head.
“That game-winning salo was a lucky bounce.”
Sauce sauce • /sôs/
When the puck is passed by floating it in the air over an opponent's stick onto your teammate's stick, tape to tape.
“Dillon chucked a nasty saucer pass to Ryan on a 2-on-1 that led to a goal.”
Schmelt schmelt • /SHmelt/
Player on the team that everyone hates.
“He didn't pick up the pucks after practice... what a schmelt.”
Scrap scrap • /skrap/
A fight.
“The defender scrapped the opposing forward after he bumped into the goaltender.”
Sewer sew·er • /ˈso͞oər/
When you screw someone over or get screwed over.
“Tony sewered Jamie by giving him a pass that was almost impossible to receive.”
Shield shield • /SHēld/
A blocker.
“The goaltender used his shield to play the puck after losing his stick.”
Shiner shin·er • /ˈSHīnər/
Having a black eye.
“A ricochet off of a slapshot left an opposing forward with a fresh shiner.”
Shinny shin·ny • /ˈSHinē/
Pick-up game of hockey.
“Anyone up for a game of shinny on the pond?”
Shmuck shmuck • / ˈSHmək/
Chirp used for a bad player.
“It's a free confidence booster to play against that guy, he's a total shmuck.”
Shooting the duck shoot·ing the duck • /ˈSHo͞odiNG /T͟Hə /dək/
Getting down on one foot while lunging and gliding down the ice.
“Shooting the duck is one of the toughest things to do on skates.”
Shorthanded short·hand·ed • /shȯrt-ˈhan-dəd/
A shorthanded goal is a goal that is scored by a team that is outnumbered on the ice due to a penalty or multiple penalties.
“That makes four shorthanded goals for the season.”
Short side short-side • /ˈshȯrt ˈsīd/
The side of the goal closest to the shooter.
“He beat him short side to score the game winner.”
Shortie short·ie • /ˈSHôrdē/
Slang and ultimately superior term for a shorthanded goal.
“The penalty-killer scored a shortie after a blocked shot sprung her on a breakaway.”
Shouldies shoul·die • /ˈSHōldē/
Shoulder pads.
“Shouldies are seen by most as completely optional in recreational league hockey.”
Show show • /SHō/
The highest attainable major league - the NHL.
“He's going to play in The Show after getting drafted first overall.”
Sieve sieve • /siv/
A derogatory term directed at an opposing team’s leaky goalie that lets too many goals in.
“Six goals in one period? You're a sieve out there, tendy!”
Sin bin sin-bin • /sin bin/
The penalty box.
“Two minutes in the sin bin for tripping.”
Slewfoot slew·foot • /slo͞o fo͝ot/
When a player sweeps another player's feet out with their own stick or leg from behind, deliberately tripping them and often causing injury.
“The player was referred to as a coward for slew-footing her opponent.”
Slot slot • /slät/
The area in front of the net between the top of the two face-off circles.
“What a beauty set-up and shot from the slot!”
Snakebitten snake·bit·ten • /ˈsnākˌbitn/
When a player is in the midst of a scoring drought.
“Brie was snake-bitten after going 12 straight games without a goal.”
Snapper snap·per • /ˈsnapər/
A hybrid shot, essentially of a mix between a slapshot and a wrist shot.
“Alina streaked down the wing and fired a snapper over the goalie's glove.”
Sniff sniff • /snif/
An insult, usually for a bad hockey player.
“He hasn't scored in ten games, what a sniff.”
Snipe snipe • /snīp/
A fast, accurate shot that beats the goalie clean.
“Danielle popped the water bottle after she snipped top cheddar from the blue line.”
Snow the goalie snow-the-goal·ie • /ˈsnō T͟Hə/ ˈgō-lē/
Stopping in front of a goalie's crease and deliberately aiming snow in their face.
“The goalie was rattled after getting snowed in the face by her opponent.”
Soak soak • /sōk/
When you take one for the team and it really sucks.
“Having to sit in the box for our 'too many men' penalty was a soak.”
Soft (1) soft • / sȯft/
Used to compliment, in reference to a players hands.
“Patrick deked the defence with ease and scored a goal, his hands looked soft out there.”
Soft (2) soft • / ˈsȯft/
Used as a chirp to describe a player.
“Jeremy can't take a hit, the guy is a softie.”
Spin-o-rama spin-o-ram·a • / ˈspin, o, ˈrä-mə/
When a player makes a full spin while skating with the puck on their stick to create space or a scoring chance.
“The spin-o-rama move was banned from shootouts and penalty shots by the NHL.”
Sprinkler sprin·kler • /ˈspriNGk(ə)lər/
Someone who scores a hat trick one night, then goes weeks without scoring.
“Man, John had a hatty in our first game but has been a sprinkler ever since.”
Squid squid • /skwid/
A slang term for the word 'dud'.
“Up 16-0 and they're still going for the hatty, what a squid.”
Stand on their head
A goalie that plays extremely well keeping the team from losing. Especially if the team is not playing well.
“Defence was awful but the goalie stood on their head saving pucks right left and centre for the team win.”
Stoned stoned • /stōnd/
When a goalie manages to stop a sure goal.
“The goaltender stoned the forward on an open net.”
Strap on the pads
When a goalie puts their pads on.
“A forward had to strap on the pads after both of his goalies went down with injury.”
Suicide pass su·i·cide pass • /ˈso͞oəˌsīd pas/
When a player sends a pass to a teammate that puts them in a vulnerable position of immediately receiving a huge hit.
“The defenceman's suicide pass left his forward vulnerable for a massive open-ice hit.”
Suitcase suit·case • / ˈsüt-ˌkās/
A player that gets traded a lot.
“Don’t expect Ben to stay too long, guy’s a suitcase.”
Sunburn sun·burn • /ˈsənˌbərn/
When a goaltender allows a lot of goals, infers getting a sunburn from the goal light behind them.
“The tendy received a sunburn after allowing eight goals in the first period.”
Sweater sweat· er • / ˈswe-tər /
A jersey.
“According to Luca, the Colorado Avalanche have the best sweaters in the NHL.”
Swiss cheese swiss cheese • /ˌswis ˈCHēz/
Used to define a goalie or team defence that is easily penetrable.
“We passed around that defence like they were Swiss cheese.”
T
Take a knee
take-a-knee • /ˈtāk ā ˈnē/
The most commonly used phrase by a coach, typically used before they explain a drill.
“Alright everyone, take a knee.”
Tape ball tape-ball • /tāp bôl/
A collection of clear tape that a player develops into a massive ball.
“The tape ball reached the size of a basketball after a single season.”
Tape job tape-job • /tāp jäb/
The way a player applies tape to their stick blade.
“Her tape job wrapped around the tip of her blade.”
Tarp tarp • /tärp/
A jersey.
“Andrew's tarp ripped as he was chuckin' knuckles with his opponent.”
Tendy ten·dy • /tendē/
A goaltender.
“The backup tendy had to go in after the starter went down with an injury.”
The Great One
Wayne Gretzky
"Four-time Stanley Cup Champion, all-time NHL points leader."
Tic-Tac-Toe tic-tac-toe • /ˌtikˌtakˈtō/"
Refers to a quick passing play in which three consecutive, fast passes lead to a goal.
"The forwards went tic-tac-toe to close out their three-on-two."
Tilly till·y • /tilē/"
A slang word for fighting.
"They exchanged 10 punches each in a tilly for the ages."
Tilt tilt • /tilt/"
A fight
"The players had a heated tilt after checking one another back and forth all game."
TJ T·J • tē ,jā/
Abbreviation for tape job.
“A good or bad TJ could make or break how a player performs.”
Top bunk top-bunk • / 'täp ˈbəŋk/
The top half of the net.
Top shelf top-shelf • /ˈtäp ˈshelf /
See 'top bunk'.
U
Umbrella um·brel·la • /ˌəmˈbrelə/"
A term used to describe a team's powerplay formation, in which three players are high and two are low.
“Let's set up the umbrella fellas!”
Undress un·dress • /ˌənˈdres/
When a player dangles through their opponent, out-maneuvering them.
“The defender was undressed after getting dangled through his own legs.”
Unit u·nit • /ˈyo͞onət/
A physically large player.
“That dude is an absolute UNIT!”
V
Veteran vet·er·an • /ˈvedərən/
A player who has been around for a good amount of years.
“The veterans sat at the back of the bus while the rookies hung out at the front.”
Vulture vul·ture • /ˈvəlCHər/
Someone who steals goals.
“Wyatt was known as his team's vulture for constantly taking credit for his teammates' goals.”
