Sniper
Soft goal
Sophomore jinx
Spearing
Spin a rama
Splendiferous
Splits
Splitting the defense
Standup goalie
Stick
Stick Check
Stick side
Stickhandling
Stone
Sudden death

Save

Refers to the act of stopping the puck from going into the net. A save is usually made by a goalie, however if a goalie is not in the net, another player may make the stop.

Save percentage

A goalie statistic calculated by dividing the number of saves made by a goalie by the number of shots on goal, and expressed as a percentage. See shot on goal.

Scramble

A group of players in front of the net from both teams trying to get possession of a loose puck. Scratch A player who is on a team's roster but is not dressed for the game because of the coach's decision or injury. A "healthy scratch" is a player who is not injured but not dressed for the game.

Scratch

Being removed from the game by someone other than the referee, and not due to an infraction. A scratch may be due to health or other reasons.

Screening

The act of blocking a goalie's view of the play to increase the opposition's chances of scoring.

Screen Shot

A shot taken while a player from either team blocks the view of the goalie.

Second season

The playoffs Semi-pro A league where players receive a salary but not on a consistent or full time basis.

Senior hockey

A level of Canadian hockey for players 20 years old and up. Senior teams compete for the Allan Cup, and at one time the winner would represent Canada in the Olympics.

Shadow

To closely check a highly skilled opponent. When a player shadows an opponent that will be his only duty, and he will stay with that player no matter where he goes on the ice.

Sheet

Ice rink. See pond.

Shin pad

The protective equipment worn on the lower leg, protecting the front and sides of the knee and shin bone.

Shinny

An unsupervised informal game of hockey, usually played on local rinks or frozen ponds by younger players.

Shooting percentage

A league statistic kept which divides the number of goals a player or team scores by the number of shots taken, not necessarily shots on goal. The result is shown as a number calculated to one decimal place.

Shootout

A tie breaking used after the third period. Each team is allotted a fixed number of penalty shots and the winner will be the team who scores the most goals after the shootout is finished.

Short side

The side of the net nearest the shooter. This can be either the stick side or glove side, depending on which side of the net the player comes in from.

Shorthanded

A situation where one team has fewer players on the ice than its opponent due to penalties. See also man advantage, penalty, full strength.

Shorthanded Goal

A goal scored while a team is playing with fewer players on the ice than the other team due to penalty(s).

Shot on goal

A shot that is stopped by the goalie that would have otherwise gone in. A shot that hits the post or crossbar is not a shot on goal.

Shutout

A game where a goalie does not allow any goals to be scored on him. This is a statistic that makes up a goalie's career record. Terry Sawchuk holds the record for the most career shutouts with 103.

Simon pure

An older term used to describe an amateur player who never accepted pay for play.

Sin bin

See penalty box.

Sixth attacker

An extra player, usually a forward, who comes onto the ice after the goalie has been removed from the game, normally towards the end of the game when a team is down 1 or two goals. See pull the goalie.

Skater

Non goaltending player.

Slapper

A slap shot.

Slap shot

A shot where the player raises his stick above his waist and swings it back down with as much force as possible, generating the hardest shot he can. Bobby Hull and son Brett Hull are masters of the slap shot. Both have recorded shots in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Slap shot (movie)

A satirical look at hockey featuring Paul Newman, and the famous Hanson Brothers.

Slashing

An act where a player swings his stick in a violent manner and strikes an opponent. Punishable by a 2 minute penalty.

Slot

The area in front of the net that extends from the crease to the top of the face off circles. This area is sometimes divided into two areas, the high slot, close to the edge of the circles and the low slot, closer to the crease area.

Slow whistle

A situation where the referee takes longer that normal to whistle down a play. Typically this will occur when the players are moving the puck along the boards or the goalie is trying to gain control of the puck during a scramble.

Smother the puck

A player or goalie who falls on the puck to stop play.

Smythemen

Nickname for the Toronto Maple Leafs when they were owned by Conn Smythe.

Snap shot

A shot where a player quickly releases a wrist shot.

Sniper

A good goal scorer.

Soft goal

A goal that should have been stopped by the goalie.

Sophomore Jinx

The drop off of a players results in his second year.

Spearing

The intentional jabbing of an opponent with the front edge of the blade of one's stick. Spearing will result in a major penalty and game misconduct. Even attempting to spear will result in a double minor.

Spin a rama

A technique where the puck carrier spins around 360 degrees to avoid being checked by an opponent. The phrase was first coined by Montreal announcer Danny Gallivan who referred to it as the Savard spin a rama after Montreal defenseman Serge Savard. See also Cannonading shot.

Splendiferous

Another Danny Gallivan term used to describe an outstanding play. See Spin a rama, cannonading shot.

Splits

The act of separting ones legs, causing them to end up in a position where the two legs are extended in opposite directions. Usually done by the goalie.

Splitting the defense

An incoming puck carrier deking between the two defensemen.

Standup goalie

A goaltending style where the goalie maintains an upright position in net. Opposite of the butterfly style.

Stick check

A defensive move where the checker will reach in with his stick and attempt to take the puck away from the offensive player. See poke check.

Stick

The device used by players to control the puck. The stick may be no longer than 5 feet long and has a hook shaped blade at the end. Originally made out of wood exclusively, today's sticks are a combination of metal alloy such as aluminum or titanium with a wooden blade.

Stick

To jab an opponent. See spearing.

Stick side

The side of the net protected by the goalies stick and blocker.

Stick handling

Maintaining possession of the puck by moving the puck from the front side of the stick to the back side in a rapid sequence. Good stickhandling also involves deceptive movements of the body in order to deke out an opponent.

Stick work

Illegal use of the stick such as slashing, hooking and holding. See also hacker, chippy.

Stone

To prevent the shooter from scoring. "Stone the shooter."

Sudden death

A method by which a tie game is brought to an abrupt end. The first team to score a goal will win the game, despite the time of the goal. In some leagues or tournaments, the winner of overtime may be decided by playing the overtime period, or a shootout.