fresnofalcons.com: Just The Facts

The Game

ECHL games are played in three 20-minute periods with two 18-minute intermissions.

During all preseason and regular season ECHL games, if at the end of the three (3) regular twenty (20) minute periods, the score shall be tied, each team shall be awarded a point in the ECHL standings.

The teams will then play an additional overtime of not more than five (5) minutes with the team scoring first declared the winner and being awarded the additional point. The overtime, period shall be played with each team at a numerical strength of four (4) skaters and one (1) goaltender.

If at the end of the five (5) minute overtime, the score shall remain tied, then a shootout will occur. The shootout will be commenced immediately following one (1) minute rest period during with the players will remain on the ice. The teams will not change ends for the shootout.

Each team plays six (6) men at a time, unless a player has been placed in the penalty box. Player substitutes are mad both during game action and stops in play. The six (6) player positions are:

-Goaltender

-Defensemen (2)

-Center

-Wings (2)

A team scored when a player shoots the puck into the opposing team’s goal. Players who help set up a goal earn an “assist”. A maximum of 2 players can assist on each goal.

The Players

Goal Tender

The goalie’s job is o keep the opposing team from scoring. He may use any part of his body or any piece of equipment to do so, and is allowed to catch or smother the puck.

Defensemen

The two defensemen try to stop incoming play. They block shots, clear the puck from in front of the net and cover the other team’s forwards. Offensively, they get the puck to their center and winds then follow play into the attack zone and try to keep it there.

Center

Operating up and down the middle of the ice, the center usually leads the attack for his team. He is the playmaker, passing between his two wings to set up a goal. Defensively, he tries to keep the puck in the attacking zone by breaking up a play before is gets to his team’s side of the ice.

Wings

The two wings (right and left) move up and down the sides of the rink with the direction of play. Offensively they work with the center of the attack to set up shots on goal. Defensively, they try to disrupt playmaking but the opposing team’s wings.

Hockey’s Three Main Rules

Offside

A team is offside when a member of the team that is attacking the defensive zone precedes the puck over the defending team’s blue line. The player’s skates and not the hockey stick are the determining factor. The player is offside if both skates are over the blue line before the puck. If one skate is on the blue line and the other is over, he is onside.

Offside pass

A two-line pass occurs when a player passes the puck from the defending zone to a team-mate past the center red line, thus crossing the blueline and the red line. The puck’s position determines which zone the pass was made, not the player’s skates.

Icing the Puck

Icing the puck is when a player is on his side of the red center line and shoots the puck all the way down the ice, it crosses the red goal line anywhere except for the goal itself and is touched by the defending team first. Icing is not allowed when teams are at equal strength. When icing occurs, play is halter and the face-off is in the offending team’s zone. Icing is not called when:

-The goalie plays the puck by leaving the net.

-The puck passes through the goal crease.

-When, in the judgment of the linesman defending team member could have

played the puck before it crossed the goal line.

-When an onside offensive player manages to touch the puck before the defending

player

-When due to penalty or penalties, a team is playing with an uneven number of

players.

FAQ

How do they make an ice rink?

Water is sprayed over a concrete floor that has freezing pipes imbedded in it. Multiple layers of ice are sprayed on until it reaches proper thickness.

How are the red and blue lines placed on the ice?

The ice is built to a half-inch thickness, then the markings are painted on, after mhich addition water is sprayed to “coat” the markings and build the ice to the prescribed thickness.

What is a Zamboni?

It’s the name of the machine that cleans the ice between periods. The Zamboni scrapes off the loose shavings and lays down a layer of hot water that welds a smooth sheet of new ice to the playing surface.

What is the puck made of?

The puck is 6 oz. of solid vulcanized rubber, three inches in diameter and one inch thick. It is frozen before ise to prevent it from bouncing on the ice.

How fast does the puck travel?

Some slap shots travel up to 100 mph. Speeds of 120 mph. have been recorded by some of the hardest shooters. To add to a goaltender’s problems, the puck often curves in flight making its path difficult to predict.

The equipment

Helmet

The helmet is made of lightweight fiber or plastic with and inner cushion of foam padding.

Shoulder Pads

The shoulder pads extend over the front and back to add protection to the chest and upper back.

Elbow Pads

Protect the elbows and upper forearms.

Pants

Hockey pants have fiber padding on the front and side of the thigh. They’re high enough to protect the kidneys and lower back.

Skates

Hockey Skates have hard toes and built-in tendon guards.

Stick

Hockey sticks are made of wood or aluminum and must not exceed 53 inches from heel to end of shaft.

Knee/Shin Pads

This protection is made of fiber or plastic.

Gloves

The gloves have individually padded fingers and also protect the wrist and forearm.

Goaltender Equipment

A goalie’s equipment differs from the other players’ in several ways:

            -He wears overstuffed, ribbed leg pads that not only protect his leg, but help to block shots.
            -A heavy chest protector covers his shoulders, stomach and abdomen.
            -His catching glove is similar to a first baseman’s mitt and a large glove with a waffle-like shield protects his stick hand
           -A goalie’s stick is wider on the blade and shaft than a regular stick
            -His mask is made of fiberglass and form fitted to his face. It also provides protection for the throat and head.




	The Game ECHL games are played in three 20-minute periods with two 18-minute intermissions. During all preseason and regular season ECHL games, if at the end of the three (3) regular twenty (20) minute periods, the score shall be tied, each team shall be awarded a point in the ECHL standings. The teams will then play an additional overtime of not more than five (5) minutes with the team scoring first declared the winner and being awarded the additional point. The overtime, period shall be played with each team at a numerical strength of four (4) skaters and one (1) goaltender. If at the end of the five (5) minute overtime, the score shall remain tied, then a shootout will occur. The shootout will be commenced immediately following one (1) minute rest period during with the players will remain on the ice. The teams will not change ends for the shootout. Each team plays six (6) men at a time, unless a player has been placed in the penalty box. Player substitutes are mad both during game action and stops in play. The six (6) player positions are: -Goaltender -Defensemen (2) -Center -Wings (2) A team scored when a player shoots the puck into the opposing team’s goal. Players who help set up a goal earn an “assist”. A maximum of 2 players can assist on each goal. The Players Goal Tender The goalie’s job is o keep the opposing team from scoring. He may use any part of his body or any piece of equipment to do so, and is allowed to catch or smother the puck. Defensemen The two defensemen try to stop incoming play. They block shots, clear the puck from in front of the net and cover the other team’s forwards. Offensively, they get the puck to their center and winds then follow play into the attack zone and try to keep it there. Center Operating up and down the middle of the ice, the center usually leads the attack for his team. He is the playmaker, passing between his two wings to set up a goal. Defensively, he tries to keep the puck in the attacking zone by breaking up a play before is gets to his team’s side of the ice. Wings The two wings (right and left) move up and down the sides of the rink with the direction of play. Offensively they work with the center of the attack to set up shots on goal. Defensively, they try to disrupt playmaking but the opposing team’s wings. Hockey’s Three Main Rules Offside A team is offside when a member of the team that is attacking the defensive zone precedes the puck over the defending team’s blue line. The player’s skates and not the hockey stick are the determining factor. The player is offside if both skates are over the blue line before the puck. If one skate is on the blue line and the other is over, he is onside. Offside pass A two-line pass occurs when a player passes the puck from the defending zone to a team-mate past the center red line, thus crossing the blueline and the red line. The puck’s position determines which zone the pass was made, not the player’s skates. Icing the Puck Icing the puck is when a player is on his side of the red center line and shoots the puck all the way down the ice, it crosses the red goal line anywhere except for the goal itself and is touched by the defending team first. Icing is not allowed when teams are at equal strength. When icing occurs, play is halter and the face-off is in the offending team’s zone. Icing is not called when: -The goalie plays the puck by leaving the net. -The puck passes through the goal crease. -When, in the judgment of the linesman defending team member could have played the puck before it crossed the goal line. -When an onside offensive player manages to touch the puck before the defending player -When due to penalty or penalties, a team is playing with an uneven number of players. FAQ How do they make an ice rink? Water is sprayed over a concrete floor that has freezing pipes imbedded in it. Multiple layers of ice are sprayed on until it reaches proper thickness. How are the red and blue lines placed on the ice? The ice is built to a half-inch thickness, then the markings are painted on, after mhich addition water is sprayed to “coat” the markings and build the ice to the prescribed thickness. What is a Zamboni? It’s the name of the machine that cleans the ice between periods. The Zamboni scrapes off the loose shavings and lays down a layer of hot water that welds a smooth sheet of new ice to the playing surface. What is the puck made of? The puck is 6 oz. of solid vulcanized rubber, three inches in diameter and one inch thick. It is frozen before ise to prevent it from bouncing on the ice. How fast does the puck travel? Some slap shots travel up to 100 mph. Speeds of 120 mph. have been recorded by some of the hardest shooters. To add to a goaltender’s problems, the puck often curves in flight making its path difficult to predict. The equipment Helmet The helmet is made of lightweight fiber or plastic with and inner cushion of foam padding. Shoulder Pads The shoulder pads extend over the front and back to add protection to the chest and upper back. Elbow Pads Protect the elbows and upper forearms. Pants Hockey pants have fiber padding on the front and side of the thigh. They’re high enough to protect the kidneys and lower back. Skates Hockey Skates have hard toes and built-in tendon guards. Stick Hockey sticks are made of wood or aluminum and must not exceed 53 inches from heel to end of shaft. Knee/Shin Pads This protection is made of fiber or plastic. Gloves The gloves have individually padded fingers and also protect the wrist and forearm. Goaltender Equipment A goalie’s equipment differs from the other players’ in several ways: -He wears overstuffed, ribbed leg pads that not only protect his leg, but help to block shots. -A heavy chest protector covers his shoulders, stomach and abdomen. -His catching glove is similar to a first baseman’s mitt and a large glove with a waffle-like shield protects his stick hand -A goalie’s stick is wider on the blade and shaft than a regular stick -His mask is made of fiberglass and form fitted to his face. It also provides protection for the throat and head.
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