What does HNIC mean in HOCKEY

The objective of hockey is to score more goals than your opponent. Players employ a variety of tactics and strategies to outwit their opponents and ultimately win the game. The team with the most goals at the end of regulation time wins.

A standard hockey team consists of six players, including one goaltender, two defensemen, three forwards, and up to two additional substitutes.

The generally accepted length of a hockey game is 60 minutes divided into three periods (of 20 minutes each). Overtime may be played if teams remain tied after regulation time ends.

During a typical game, players must stay within two sets of blue lines, one for defense and one for offense, that divide the rink into thirds. There are also two red goal lines that define each goal area in front of the net.

While some contact between players is allowed while playing hockey, any action deemed as dangerous or illegal by officials will result in a penalty. Acceptable physical contact includes body checking and shoulder-to-shoulder contact against an opposing player who is in possession of the puck.

All participants should wear approved headgear (helmet), protective eyewear, elbow pads, mouth guards for all age categories and full face shields or masks for those aged 18 years or younger when appropriate for their stage of learning and skill development. Players should also wear shoulder and shin pads along with gloves at all times during play sessions; Hockey skates; Hockey stick; Protective cup (for males)

When an individual receives three minor penalties within one period or five minor penalties in any given game they will be ejected from that contest immediately; this is known as a “game misconduct” penalty. Additionally, if eight penalties are taken by any individual over multiple games they will receive an automatic suspension from league play for 1 - 3 games depending on severity/frequency until further review by governing bodies can take place.

Points are scored when an attacking player has successfully advanced the ball across their opponents’ defensive line into their goal area before sending it past their goalkeeper into their net or when they shoot it directly between their opponents’ posts without being intercepted by another attacking player; this is known as “goal scoring” and typically results in one point being awarded to that particular player's team plus additional bonuses such as power plays depending on severity/circumstance of play leading up to said goal being scored etc…

Referees have up to three minutes after consultation with other officials to make an official ruling following any video reviewable incident before allowing play to resume; this three minute period typically allows sufficient time for reviewing footage from multiple angles before deciding how best to proceed.