Old time slang term used to describe a team last in the standings.

Take a run

The act of charging a player in an attempt to hit and possibly injure him.

Take one for the team

Allowing an opponent to hit you with what could be termed as a cheap shot, and not retaliate, in order to draw a penalty.

Take the body

To check an opponent focusing on his body and not the stick.

Target

The goal net.

Third Jersey

A sweater that is a different colour pattern than the team's traditional home and away jersey. Use of such sweaters are reserved for special occasions

Three Star Selection

A process whereby the best three players of each NHL game player are named. The segment was originally sponsored by Esso gasoline. In one NHL Playoff game where Rocket Richard scored 5 goals, he was named first, second and third stars.

Three on one

An offensive situation where 3 players from one team have only one defensive player between them and the goalie.

Tie up your man

A situation where one player closely checks another in order to keep him out of the play. See shadow.

Time of (goal/penalty)

The time is calculated by subtracting the time left on the official clock from the 20:00 minute length of the period. This is done because in the NHL the clock counts down from the 20:00 mark. Therefore a goal scored with 7 minutes left was actually scored at the 13:00 minute mark.

Time out

A 30 second stoppage in play called by either team instead of the officials. Each team is allowed one time out per game and it must be called by the coach.

Tip in

A goal that is scored by a redirection of the puck. See also deflection.

Toe

The tip of the blade of a stick.

Too many men on the ice

A situation where there are more players than allowed from one team on the ice, resulting in a 2 minute bench minor penalty.

Top shelf

An area towards the upper portion of the net. See high heat, going upstairs.

Traffic

Slang relating to several players in an area of the rink, as in "there was a lot of traffic in front of the net." See heavy traffic.

Trailer

A player who skates in behind the puck carrier, possibly expecting a drop pass.

Trap

A defensive style of play where the defensive team concentrates on minimizing the attack of the offensive team.

Trapper

A goalies catching glove, originally similar in looks to a first baseman's glove in baseball.

Tripping

An infraction punishable by a 2 minute minor where one player knocks down another using his stick or knee.

Turn turtle

Covering the head with ones hands and arms and curl up to prevent injury during a fight.

Turnover

A situation where one team gains possession of the puck by forcing the other team to make a mistake and lose possession of the puck.

Twig

Slang for stick

Twine

Slang for the mesh on a hockey net

Two line pass

A pass that crosses both the red center line and the blue line or all three and remains untouched. See also offside, intentional offside.

Two on one

A situation where there are two offensive players skating in on one defending player and the goalie.

Two way player

A player who can play both offensively and defensively

Underdog

A team that is expected to lose. Can apply to any sport.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

A minor penalty assessed to a player who commits any type of infraction that may be viewed as damaging the character of the game.

Upstairs (goal)

The upper part of the net. See also, going upstairs, top shelf, high heat.

Upstairs (official)

Refers to the on ice officials calling up to the video review judges who review the plays via video tape replay and advise the official. See Video goal judge

Video goal judge

An off ice official located high above the ice surface who reviews plays in slow motion to determine if a goal was scored and advises the referee via telephone. See Upstairs (official), going upstairs.

Visor

The transparent protective shield attached to the helment that a player wears to protect his face.

Wall

The boards or glass

Wave

A cheer that originates in a particular section of the arena where one section of fans stands, raises its arms, cheers and then sits back down. This is followed by the next section and so on. From afar it appears as if a large wave is making its way around the arena. Not just found in hockey.

Weak side (goalie)

The side of the goalie where the opposing team perceives the goalie has the least chance of stopping the puck.

Weak side (ice)

The side of the ice surface where either team has the least amount of players positioned.

Whistle

The device used to signal a stoppage in play.

Whistle down the play

Stoppage of play by one of the on ice officials.

Winger

A player who plays one of the two outside positions on the forward line, known as the left wing and right wing.

Wraparound

A play where the offensive player begins with the puck behind the net and quickly circles in front, very close to the net itself and attempts to score.

Wraparound goal

A goal scored by using a wraparound technique. See Wraparound

Wrister

A wrist shot

Zamboni

The brand name of an ice surfacing machine developed by Frank Zamboni in the late 1940's. Zamboni equipment is so widely used in the NHL and elsewhere, that the name has become a generic term for all resurfacing equipment.

Zebra

Slang for an official.