Bag skate‐ when a team is skated unendingly during practice. See Herb Brooks in Miracle on Ice for example.
Bar in/bar down‐ a goal that is scored when the shot goes off the post or crossbar.
Barn‐ the rink/arena
Basket‐ the net
Beaver tap/tail‐ when a person continuously slaps their stick on the ice hoping for a pass, rather than calling a teammates name.
Benchwarmer‐ a player who spends most of the time during the game on the bench.
Biscuit‐ the puck
Bleacher coach (or BC)‐ a spectator constantly yelling directions at the players on the ice during a game unaware of any instruction the player would have received by the actual coach and the fact that the participants don’t usually hear what is being said.
Blow a gasket/tire‐ when a player loses their edge and falls.
Breezers‐ a piece of equipment worn by players that should simply be called pants.
Bucket‐ a helmet.
Celly‐ a celebration after a goal is scored. Depending on the goal and circumstances, various types of celebrations are acceptable.
Cherry picker‐ a player who doesn’t come back into their defensive zone to help. They remains near the offensive zone hoping for a long pass and an easy scoring opportunity.
Chiclets‐ teeth
Chirp‐ the ability to trash talk an opponent and get under their skin
Clapper‐ a hard slap shot
Dangle‐ to stickhandle exceptionally well
Dish‐ a pass.
Flamingo‐ when defending, the bad habit of lifting one’s leg in the hope that the puck doesn’t hit you so you don’t get hurt.
Flood‐ when the Zamboni cleans the ice.
Flow‐ long hockey hair. Proper flow is a true sight to behold when trailing behind a player.
Gino‐ a goal
Gordie Howe Hatrick‐ recording a goal, assist and fight in the same game
Grocery stick (aka bookend)‐ the player (typically a forward) that doesn’t get much playing time who divides the forwards and defensemen on the bench.
Grinder‐ A player with limited skills that generally players lower in the lineup. Also known as a plumber.
Hatrick (hatty)‐ Scoring three goals in a game.
Mitts‐ gloves. A player with sick mitts is very good with the puck.
Muffin‐ a weak shot.
Natural Hatrick‐ scoring three consecutive goals in a game.
Old school‐ generally referring to someone who has old equipment or a goalie with an old style of playing net. Ex., “Did you see that pad stack? That goalie is old school!”
Player Agent‐ a person, typically a parent, who has blinders for one child and who feels that they, and they alone, know how to get that player to the NHL.
Pizza (serving up a pizza)‐ a turnover in the middle of the ice that provides the other team with a fantastic scoring chance.
Pylon‐ an extremely slow player. Typically a player who gets turnstiled frequently
Ride the Pine‐ when a player spends most of their time on the bench not getting very much playing time.
Rink Rat‐ someone who loves and always wants to be at the rink.
Sauce‐ a type of pass that lifts off the ice over an obstacle and does not flutter.
Shelf/top cheddar/upstairs‐ all terms referring to the top corner of the net
Shinny‐ a pick‐up game of hockey, the game in its purest form.
Shutout‐ when one team doesn’t score during a game, can also be referred to as a goose‐egg
Sick‐ slang used positively when a player executes a play that requires a lot of skill
Sin bin‐ the penalty box.
Snipe‐ A well placed shot resulting in a goal.
Sold out Barn (SOB)‐ reference to a game with lots of spectators in the arena (see, barn).
Suicide pass‐ a pass that causes a teammate to look over their shoulder behind them to receive it. By not looking in front of them these players are very susceptible to huge hits.
Sweater‐ the only other correct way to reference a hockey jersey
Toe drag‐ a move which consists of holding the puck on the forehand away from the body. When a defender makes a move for the puck the puck carrier uses the “toe” of their stick to pull the puck back towards them
Turnstile‐a name for someone who gets deked and walked around when trying to play defense. Can also
be used as a verb to chirp someone “You got turnstiled!”
Twig‐ stick
The wall‐ the boards
Yard sale‐ when a player gets hit, or falls and loses equipment (stick, gloves, helmet) all over the ice.
