The objective of hockey is to score more goals than your opponent on their goaltender and to have fun!
Playing Surface
There are five (5) lines on the ice, two (2) goal lines (both at the end of the ice), two (2) blue lines, separating the offensive/defensive zones from the neutral zone, and the centre red line.
The red line is not in play when making stretch passes. Before the NHL lockout in the 2004-05 seasons, players could not make two lined passes; resulted in offside.
Equipment
To play organized hockey, players will need the essential equipment, skates, helmet (with visor or cage), mouth guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey pants, athletic supporter (jock), shin pads, hockey socks, jersey, and hockey stick
Goaltenders have their own category of equipment, goalie helmet (cage required), chest and shoulder protectors, athletic supporter (jock), hockey pants, blocker, glove, goalie stick, goalie pads, and goalie skates.
For on ice equipment, there are two (2) nets at each end of the ice and pucks.
Players
Hockey is played with six (6) players on the ice for each team; five (5) skaters, one (1) goaltender.
The typical roster size of a hockey team is twenty (20) players; twelve (12) forwards, 6 defensemen, and two (2) goaltenders.
There are an unlimited amount of substitutions and they can happen at any time; during play and/or a stoppage of play; except when the defensive team ices the puck.
The goaltenders have limited control over the puck, there is a trapezoid behind the goal where goalies are allowed to handle the puck, if they play the pluck outside this area below the goal line, and it will result in a delay of game penalty. This trapezoid does not exist in international play.
Icing
Icing is when the defending team shoots the puck down the ice, without touching another player, across two red lines, first one being the red centre line and the second being the goal line. The opposing