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Hockey Slang

Ankle burner
an·kle burn·er • /ˈaNGk(ə)l ˈbərnər/
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.”

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.”

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.”

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!”
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/
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.”

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.”

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.
“The team’s dangler led her club in assists.”

Dangle, snipe, celly
dan·gle, snipe, cell·y • /ˈdaNGɡəl, snīp, selē/
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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

Gordie Howe hat trick
Gor·die Howe hat-trick • /Gordie Howe/ ˈhat ˈtrik/
When a player gets a goal, an assist, and gets into a fight; all in the same game.
“The Gordie Howe hat trick is viewed as one of the greatest individual accomplishments in hockey.”

Gordon
Gor·don
A player who is never happy with their pre-game meal.
“He’s such a Gordon, he’ll never eat the pre-game meal.”

Grapefruit
grape·fruit • /ˈɡrāpˌfro͞ot/
A word insinuating that goalie couldn’t stop an easy shot.

“That goalie couldn’t stop a grapefruit from the red line.”

Greasy
greas·y • /ˈɡrēsē/
Not an aesthetically pleasing play, but gets the job done.

“It was a greasy goal from just outside the crease, but it won the game.”

Gretzky’s office
Gretzky of·fice • /Gretzky ˈôfis/
Refers to the area behind the net where Wayne used to set up a lot of his goals and assists.
“Wayne banked the puck off of the back of the net in Gretzky’s Office which allowed him to feed his teammate in front of the net.”

Gritty
grit·ty • /ˈɡridē/
The most terrifying mascot in NHL history.
“Keep your head up around Gritty because ya never know what that thing is gonna do next.”

Grocery stick
gro·cer·y stick • /ˈɡrōs(ə)rē ,stik/
A player that sits on the bench most of the game between the forwards and defence, like a separator at a checkout line. Usually sees little ice time.
“Luca doesn’t play much so he sits between the defence and the forwards on the bench, his position is basically team grocery stick”

Gross
gross • /ɡrōs/
So good that it’s almost bad.
“Did you see that BarDown goal? Gross.”

Hack
hack • /hak/
A vicious slash.

“His shins were purple after taking a hack at the ODR.”

Hands
hands • /ˈhand /
The way someone handles the puck. Could be good or bad.
“Julia’s got stone hands, while Jenny has soft hands.”

Hardo
hard·o • / härd ˌo /
Someone who tries really hard to look tough.
“Chad’s hardo act is getting pretty old.”

Hardware
hard·ware • /ˈhärdˌwer/
Trophies, medals, or rings.
“The Montreal Canadiens are the hardware kings of the NHL.”

Hatty
hat·ty • / ˈhatˈtē/
When a player scores three goals in one game. Short form for ‘hat trick.’
“Bret was on fire scoring a hatty in last night’s game.”

Haymaker
hay·mak·er • /ˈhāˌmākər/
A wild, hard punch thrown in a fight.
“Did you see that haymaker he threw in the fight? Good night!”

Heater
heat·er • /ˈhēdər/
When a team has strung together a series of wins.
“The players were feeling it during their eight game heater.”

Hockeyfrilla
hockey·frilla • /ˈhɔkʏˌfrɪla/
Swedish word for mullet. From hockey (“hockey”) +‎ frilla (“haircut”, diminutive of frisyr).

“That Swedish player is rocking a wild hockeyfrilla.”

Home dresser
home dres·ser • /hōm ˈdresər/
A player who shows up to the rink already dressed in their uniform.

“Lindsay was known as the team’s home dresser because her mom always dropped her off at practice late.”

Horseshoe
horse·shoe • /ˈhôr(s)ˌSHo͞o/
A hockey drill commonly used in warm-ups.
“The home team ran the horseshoe to help warm up their goalie.”

Hoser
hos·er • /hōzər/
A chirp for the losing team or a bad player that comes from the pre-Zamboni days, when the losers had to hose off the ice.

“We beat you guys 14-0, you bunch of hosers.”

Howitzer
how·itz·er • /ˈhouətsər/
A hard slapshot.
“He scored on a tip from a howitzer from the point.”

Iron
iron • / ī(-ə)rn /
The post.
“Buddy would have gino’d, but he caught iron instead.”

Igloo
ig·loo • /ˈiɡlo͞o/
Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena, devotedly known by the locals as ‘The Igloo’.
“Pens fans head to the Igloo tonight to watch the rivalry against the Flyers.”

Ironman
iron • / ī(-ə)rn ,krôs/
A player’s streak. Most consecutive games played.
“Doug Jarvis currently holds the longest ironman streak in NHL history, with 964 consecutive games played.”

Jeff Beukeboom
A legend.
“Jeff Beuekeboom: Stanley Cup Champion and World Jewish Junior Hockey silver medalist.”

Jib
jib • /jib/
A tooth.
“The grinder had to get a new jib after taking a clap-bomb to the mouth.”

Junction
junc·tion • /ˈjəNG(k)SH(ə)n/
The area where the post and crossbar meet.

“Her wrist shot bounced off of the junction and out.”

Jungle
jun·gle • /ˈjəNGɡəl/
A junior hockey league, usually Junior B or lower.
“Hey, are you going to watch the Jungle game tonight?”

Knob
knob • /näb/
The butt-end of a hockey stick, where the tape is usually a little thicker.
“Is there anything worse than getting hit in the gut with a knob?”

Knuckle puck
knuck·le·puck • /ˈnəkəlˌpək/
When the puck is standing on its side, just begging to be shot.

“The biscuit is on its side and the d-man has it lined up…It’s knuckle-puck time!”

Kronwalled
kron·walled • /ˈkrän wôld/
When a player gets absolutely demolished by a defender while trying to enter the offensive zone. Coined after Niklas Kronwall due to his massive hits.
“Keep your head up at the blue line or you might get Kronwalled.”

Lace ’em up
Getting ready for a game.

“Ready to lace ‘em up boys?”

Lactid acid
lac·tic ac·id • /ˌlaktik ˈasəd/
That stuff that builds up in your legs when you sit on the bench between shifts, a fact usually pointed out to benchwarmers.
“Buddy plays so little, his legs are probably 80% lactic acid.”

Laser
la·ser • /ˈlāzər/
Unbelievably accurate and hard shot.
“Chris fired an absolute laser through the goalie’s glove from the top of the circle.”

Leggies
leg·gie • /legē/
The bottom part of long underwear.
“There’s nothing worse than putting on a wet, sweaty pair of leggies before a game.”

Leg pillows
leg pil·low • /leɡ ˈpilō/
Goalie pads.
“The goaltender made a remarkable stretch save with his leg pillows.”

Lettuce
let·tuce • /ˈledəs/
Describes a player’s hair.
“BarDown’s Luca Celebre has some quality lettuce under his bucket.”

Levelled
lev·elled • /ˈlevəl -ed/
Getting hit hard.
“Austin was leveled into his own bench by an opposing player who dropped the shoulder.”

Licorice knob
lic·o·rice knob • /ˈlik(ə)riSH näb/
When rolled up lines of tape wrap around the end of the stick.
“BarDown’s Corwin gave himself a licorice knob to improve the grip on his stick.”

Light the lamp
light-the-lamp • /līt/T͟Hē /lamp/
When a player scores a goal. Refers to the goal light lighting up.
“Ronnie lit the lamp on three separate occasions before the hats came flying down.”

Lip sweater
lip sweat·er • /lip ˈswedər/
A moustache.
“The best lip sweaters come out in November.”

Loaf
loaf • /lōf/
Hair.
“His loaf was so dry, it looked terrible.”

Loosey goosey
loos·ey-goos·ey • /ˌlo͞osē ˈɡo͞osē/
When a coach thinks their players are taking it too easy.
“The coach benched the star player after her loosey goosey second period.”

Lumber
lum·ber • /ˈləmbər/
A hockey stick.
“Albert laid down the lumber on his record-breaking slapshot.”

Man-maker
man-mak·er • /manˌmākər/
The most well-known conditioning drill in hockey.
“The coach made her players run man-makers after the team was blown out in their home loss.”

Meat wagon
meat wag·on • /mēt ˈwaɡən/
Somebody who is pretty much only good at hitting or fighting.
“The meat wagon was put on the best player’s line for protection.”

Mitts
mitts • /mit/
Gloves.

“The team’s top play maker has the softest mitts of all the skaters.”

Mouthy
mouth·y • /ˈmouT͟Hē/
A mouthguard.
“Patty Kane has no control over his mouthy on the bench.”

Muddy boots
mud·dy boots • /ˈmədē bo͞ots/
When a player has slow feet.

“Mario’s muddy boots prevented him from keeping up with the play.”

Muffin (1)
muf·fin • /ˈməfən/
A weak or bad shot.
“Ted tossed an absolute muffin that missed the net.”

Muffin (2)
muf·fin • /ˈməfən/
Punches thrown in a fight.
“The boys dropped the gloves to tilt and tossed some serious muffins.”

Munson
mun·son • /ˈmənsən/
The biggest tool on the ice.
“A player who throws elbows when the game is out of hand is a total munson.”

Music man
mu·sic man • /ˈmyo͞ozik/
Someone who hits the post a ton and makes a ton of pipe music.
“Donnie’s gone bar out three times, he’s an absolute music man tonight.”

Musket out
mus·ket out • /ˈməskət, out/
When you’re panicking from the bench because your team can’t clear the zone.
“I saw my team start to collapse in front of the net and I couldn’t help but get musket out from the bench.”

Muzzy
muz·zy • /ˈməzē/
Another word for a moustache.
“The enforcer on the opposing team was growing a wild muzzy.”
Nail
nail • /nāl/
A tough player that won’t back down from a physical battle or a fight.
“That player’s an absolute nail, I wouldn’t go into the corners with him.”

Nail gun
nail-gun • /nāl ɡən/
A tough player. Interchangeable with ‘nail’.
“That guy has too many career tilts to count, he’s a total nail gun.”

Nip
nip • /nip/
A goal scored where the shooter only had a tiny space to put the puck.
“He managed to pick the spot between the tendy’s shoulder and the crossbar, it was a total nip.”

ODR
O-D-R • /ō ,dē ,är/
Outdoor rink.
“Does anyone want to hit the ODR?”

On the fly
on-the-fly • ôn/T͟Hə/flī/
A shift change that takes place during a shift.
“A poor change on the fly led to a quality scoring chance for the opposing team.”

Ovechkin’s office
O·vech·kin’s off·ice
The top of the face-off circle, where Alex Ovechkin has been scoring unstoppable goals for years.

“Players need to enter Ovechkin’s Office to block shots at their own risk.”

Overcorked
o·ver·cork • /ˌōvərˈkôrk//
When you take a clapper too hard and whiff or send the puck to the corner..
“Dane’s wind up truly looked promising but he overcorked the shot and he completely missed the puck”

Peanut butter
pea·nut but·ter • /ˈpēnət ,bədər/
When you shoot the puck and it hangs in the net for a second.
“Mike went top cheese and the puck peanut buttered in the net for a moment before it fell.”

Peppered
pep·per • /ˈpepər/
When a goaltender faces a ton of shots and his pads get black marks on them.
“The netminder was peppered with 70 shots on the night.”

Pest
pest • /pest/
A player who is known for agitating opponents, often in annoying or dirty ways.
“He was known as a pest because of his dirty plays after the whistle.”

Phantom assist
phan·tom as·sist • / ˈfan-təm ,ə-ˈsist/
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.”

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.”

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.”

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’.
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!”
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.”

Waffleboarded
waf·fle board·ing • /ˈwä-fəl ˈbȯrdiŋ/
Made famous by the EA NHL video game series, refers to a goalie swiping the puck away with the help of his blocker.
“Vince made a sick waffleboard save with his blocker.”
Wall (1)
wall • /wôl/
A goaltender that plays lights out in net.
“Their tendy’s been an absolute wall out there today, we can’t score!”

Wall (2)
wall • /wôl/
The boards.
“Jimmy decided to play it up the wall and out.”

Wall rider
wall-rid·er • /wôl ˈrīdər/
Someone who can’t skate and always stays away from the puck.
“He just started playing hockey this year, he’s a wall rider.”

Walked
walk • / wȯk/
When a defencemen is beaten one-on-one.
“Cam walked that D and put one top shelf.”
Warmies
warm·ies • /wôrmˈēz/
Warm-ups.
“Not wearing a bucket in warmies is a power move.”
Wheelie
wheel·ie • / ˈhwē-lē/
Hockey bag on wheels.
“Every puck player has had at least one wheelie bag in their life.”
Wheels
wheel • /(h)wēl/
Refers to the speed of a fast, skilled skater.
“His wheels helped him win the puck race and score on a breakaway.”
Where momma hides the cookies
The top shelf of the net.
“Right upstairs, where momma hides the cookies.”

Windmill
wind·mill • /ˈwin(d)mēl/
A save in which a goaltender brings his arm all the way around with their glove.
“The goaltender made an incredible windmill save on the cross-ice pass.”
Wrap-around
wrap·a·round • /ˈrap əˌround/
When a player skates the puck around the net and scores.
“Doug Gilmour was the king of the wrap-around.”

Wrister
wrist·er • / ˈristə(r)/

A wrist shot.
“Jamie ripped a quick release wrister top shelf.”
Ya’ know?
ya·know • /yə/nō/
The most commonly used cliché in hockey interviews.
“We got pucks in deep, and ya’ know, we’ve gotta keep getting pucks in deep.”
Yard sale
yard-sale • /ˈyärd ˌsāl/
When a player loses a piece of equipment on the ice or after a brawl breaks out and there are sticks, gloves and helmets scattered everywhere.
“It was a total yard sale of a brawl and the ice was littered with equipment.”

Yawning cage
yawn·ing cage • /yôn kāj/
An open net.
“A juicy rebound left for an easy tap-in into the yawning cage.”
You’re laughing
you’re laugh·ing • /yo͝or ,laf ing/
When you have a massive and comfortable lead in a game.
“You’re laughing with a 6-2 lead with 10 minutes left in the third!!!!”
Zebra
ze·bra • /ˈzēbrə/
A referee. Also known as ‘stripes’.
“These zebras are really blowing it out there.”
Zips
zip • /zip/
Stitches, given mid game to a player with an injury.

“Dana needed a few zips after taking a skate blade to the arm.”
10-ply
ten-ply • / ˈten ˈplī/
Used as a chirp to describe a player.
“Buddy is softer (see ‘Soft (2)’) than 10-ply toilet paper.”
110 percent
One hundred percent giving it everything you have, and more.

“We’re gonna go out there and we’re gonna give it 110%!” – Every coach ever.