Icing the Puck
Definition:
"Icing the puck" is a term used in ice hockey. It happens when a player shoots the puck (the small, hard disk used in the game) from their own half of the ice rink all the way to the other side, past the opponent's goal line, without anyone touching it.
Usage Instructions:
- Icing is called when the puck is shot from the defensive side of the rink and crosses the opponent's goal line without being touched. - The game is stopped, and a face-off (a method to restart play) occurs in the defensive zone of the team that iced the puck.
Example:
- "The player iced the puck, and the referee blew the whistle to stop the game."
Advanced Usage:
- Icing can lead to strategic plays. Teams often try to avoid icing to maintain control of the puck and prevent the opponent from gaining an advantage through a face-off.
Word Variants:
- The term "ice" in "icing" refers to the ice rink where the game is played. - "Puck" is always a noun in this context, referring to the object used in ice hockey.
Different Meanings:
- Outside of ice hockey, "icing" can also refer to a sweet topping on cakes (like frosting), but in this context, we focus specifically on the sports term.
Synonyms:
- There are no direct synonyms in hockey, but you might say "shooting the puck down the ice" when explaining it in more casual terms.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While "icing the puck" itself is a specific term, you might hear phrases like: - "Clear it out," which means to get the puck out of your defensive area, similar to icing but might involve other strategies.
Understanding "icing the puck" is important for following the game and knowing the rules of ice hockey.