Why is it called the crease?

The name "crease" probably originates from the time when the boundaries of the area were carved or gouged as lines or creases into the ice's surface; nowadays, the area typically is designated with a red boundary line and the ice within the crease is shaded blue.

What's the point of the crease in hockey?

The goal crease in hockey is the shaded blue area in front of each team's goal. The crease is painted onto the ice and is shaded blue to stand out. This is the area given to the goalie to stop the opposing teams' shots and keep the puck out.

Can an offensive player be in the crease?

Opposing players are allowed to go into the crease as long as they do not interfere or impede his ability to stop the puck. The goalie crease rules have a long history of change. Even if you go back only twenty years ago, a player was not allowed to go into the goal crease at all or the goal would be disallowed.

What is the hockey net called?

The term goal may also refer to the structure in which goals are scored. The ice hockey goal is rectangular in shape; the front frame of the goal is made of steel tube painted red (blue in the ECHL because of a sponsorship deal with GEICO) and consists of two vertical goalposts and a horizontal crossbar.

Who is the only person that can be in the crease?

Officiating the crease is incredibly difficult for several reasons: The crease is the only area of the field marked as a circle. The goalkeeper has certain privileges while inside of the crease.

Can a goalie leave the crease?

Goaltenders can leave their crease to make a save or play the puck – as long as it's not in the trapezoid or beyond center ice. If they leave the blue paint to join a scrum, they'll be serving time.

Why do goalies carve up the crease?

Goalies scrape the ice around them with their skates and stick to prepare the crease before the start of play. They do this for a few reasons, to stop the build-up of snow, to make their crease flatter and to make the puck slide slower.

Why can't goalies play the puck in the corners?

The goaltenders are only allowed to play the puck inside of the trapezoid when the puck goes behind the net. The idea was that this would limit the goaltender's ability to retrieve the puck for their team and would give the attacking team a greater chance at winning possession of the puck deep in their offensive zone.

Why do NHL refs kick players out of faceoffs?

An official may remove the player taking the face-off if the player or any players from the same team attempt to gain an unfair advantage during the face-off (called a face-off violation). When a player is removed, one of the teammates not originally taking the face-off is required to take the face-off.

What does trapezoid mean in hockey?

The trapezoid in hockey is the area behind each goal on the rink. In the trapezoid, the goaltender is allowed to play the puck on their stick and move around freely below the goal line. Since the NHL's rule change in 2004, goalies are not allowed to touch the puck in the corners below the goal line.

What is it called when the goalie stops the puck?

Smothering the puck: When a goalie or other players fall on the puck. Smothering is legal when done by the goalie or accidentally by another player. Sniper: A player who is a pure goal scorer and who doesn't hit other players or the boards all that much.

Can you score while in the crease?

In the event that the puck is under a player in or around the crease area (deliberately or otherwise), a goal cannot be scored by pushing this player together with the puck into the goal.

What is a face off in hockey?

The faceoff is used to begin every game, period and play. It occurs when a referee drops the puck between the sticks of two opposing players. The opposing players then fight for possession of the puck. At the beginning of a game or period, or after a goal is scored, the faceoff happens at centre ice.

Can a goalie cover the puck outside the crease?

The rules allow a goalie to cover the puck outside the crease if it is part of blocking a shot then freezing the puck immediately. Otherwise, a goalie who comes outside of the crease to freeze the puck will be assessed a 2 minute penalty for delay of game.

Is body checking allowed in floor hockey?

Body checking is typically not allowed in any floor hockey leagues. Players who body check will be penalized in most cases and put in the penalty box for at least two minutes. However, in floor hockey, stick checking is permitted.

Why do refs wave off icing?

In some cases, the referee will wave off the icing if they feel the opposing player could have reached the puck before it crossed the goal line. This is usually the case when the puck is travelling slowly passed the goal line and the player is showing little effort to recover the puck quick enough.

Why do they change players in a face-off?

The reason referees switch the player taking the face-off is usually for a violation – typically when the player moves too soon before the puck is dropped to gain an advantage.

Why can't you kick the puck in hockey?

Part of the reason players can't score by kicking the puck boils down to player and goalie safety. Skate blades are very sharp, and the boot of the skate is quite hard. If players around the net were to be taking strong kicks at the puck in the crease, the goalie and other players would face a greater risk of injury.

Is there a mercy rule in NHL?

The mercy rule is most common in games such as baseball or softball, where there is no game clock and play could theoretically continue forever, although it is also used in sports such as hockey and American football.

Can a goalie wave off icing?

Can a goalie wave off icing? No they cannot wave off icing but they can prevent an icing by going out to play a puck. The act of the goalie coming out to play the puck or touching the puck before it crosses the goal line will nullify the icing.

Why do goalies scuff the ice?

Why do hockey goalies scrap the ice in hockey? A goalie scraps the ice to make it harder for the puck to slide, to even out the surface so pucks will not bounce, to take away the slipperiness of the ice for more controlled sliding, and as mental preparation and warm up before the start of the game/period.

How many periods are there in hockey?

The time allowed for a game shall be three (3) twenty-minute periods of actual play with a rest intermission between periods.

Can goalies play the puck?

A goalie can play the puck anywhere between the red line in the middle of the ice surface and the goal line at the end of the rink and in the trapezoid area behind the net. If the goalie plays the puck outside of these areas it will result in a two minute penalty.

How do goalies shoot the puck?

Jaro Halak, like many goalies today, uses the overhand or "Turco Grip" to shoot the puck. Photo by Scott Slingsby.

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