It’s time to announce a hockey game and now you have a crash course on what to announce and when. This will help you start.

Terms to Know

Positions

• G – Goalie – The last line of defense for a team, plays primarily in front of the goal.
• D – Defense – Typically two on the ice, they play mainly back toward the goalie or near the blue line in the offensive zone. There is usually a left defenseman and at right defenseman however you don’t need to denote one over the other.
• LW – Left Wing – A forward that plays primarily on the left side of the ice in the offensive zone toward the goalie.
• C – Center – A forward that plays primarily down the middle of the ice in the offensive zone toward the goalie. Centers are primarily responsible for taking the faceoff.
• RW – Right Wing – A forward that plays primarily on the right side of the ice in the offensive zone toward the goalie.
• F – Foward, a catch-all for left wing, center and right wing. Sometimes assigned to a player who plays more than one forward position.
• HC – Head Coach, the person who is in charge of the team. There can be assistant coaches too, but the head coach is the main person who is referenced.

Hockey Verbiage

• Boards – The borders around the outside of the rink. On top of the boards is glass.
• Captain – Each team chooses one captain and up to two alternate captains for each game. The captain and the alternate captains are the only players on the ice allowed to speak with the referee and are typically the liasion between the on-ice officals and coaches. In most amateur leagues, goalies can be designated as Captain however this is more ceremonial than anything else.
• Faceoff – The faceoff starts and restarts play. One player from each team stands on either side of the referee or linesman with their back to their own goal. The official drops the puck and the puck must hit the ice for a legal faceoff to occur.
• Faceoff Circle – There are five circles on the ice that contain a faceoff dot in them. These are faceoff circles. The players not taking the faceoff are required to lineup outside of the cirlcle on their half of the circle when the puck is dropped.
• Faceoff Dot – there are four other dots in the neutral zone that do not have circles around them but are used for restarting play. Combined with the five in the faceoff circles, there are nine faceoff dots on the ice. These are the only nine spots play can start/restart.
• Frozen Puck – A goaltender will cover the puck when the offensive team is threatening to score in order to stop the clock and get a faceoff. The goaltender must be near his own goal with most leagues requiring the goalie to be able to make contact with his crease in order to freeze the puck.
• Game – A hockey game is played in three equal-time periods depending on the level. Periods can be anywhere from 8 to 20 minutes in length. In special circumstances, two 25-minute halves can be played. There is typically a warm-up session from 3-15 minutes with intermissions ranging from 1-18 minutes between each period.
• Game-Winning Goal – The goal that is scored that gave the winning team one more than the total number of goals scored by their opponent. For example, a game-winning goal can come in overtime, or in the first-period. The player who scored the first goal in a 10-0 victory is credited with the game-winning goal. The player who scored the 5th goal in a 9-4 victory is credited with the game-winning goal.
• Hat Trick – When a player scores three goals in a game.
• Ice Cut – Teams will retire to their lockerrooms and 1-2 machines that resurface the ice will come out to smooth out the ice surface. There are two main brands, Zamboni and Olympia, with other smaller brands of ice resurfacers on the market. These work by scraping the top layer of ice and putting down a warm layer over top of the freshly scraped ice. A “dry cut” is one in which water is not spread after the scrape.
• Icing – A team shooting the puck from behind their side of the red line past the goal line of the opposing team without the chance for it to have been played. Icing then sends the puck back to one of the faceoff circles in the defending team’s zone for a faceoff. The location is decided based on the side of the rink the puck was shot from.
• Net – Or goal, the net is where teams are trying to score. It’s 6′ wide by 4′ tall with typically red posts and white netting.
• Neutral Zone – The area between the bluelines in the middle of the rink.
• Officials – There can be from 2-4 officials in each game with different ratios of referees to linespersons. There can be one referee and two linespersons, two referees and one linesperson, two referees and two linespersons, and two referees/linespersons (in most amateur recreation games). Referees are denoted by the orange arm bands above their elbows.
• Offsetting Penalties – penalties that are called on both teams for the same amount of time (excluding game misconducts) are offsetting penalties and do not affect the on-ice strength of either team. In some leagues, teams playing 5-on-5 that have offsetting minor penalties called, will go to 4-on-4 play; the times go on the scoreboard, and the players exit the penalty box when their times expire.
• Offside – An offensive player may not cross the blueline prior to the puck, otherwise they are considered offside. A player must maintain contact with the ice to remain onside and cannot jump nor stick their skate or glove back into the “neutral zone” to be considered onside. All offensive players must be onside prior to the puck crossing the blue line, and must all clear the zone simultaneously when the puck leaves the offensive zone.
• Overtime – If tied at the end of three regulation periods, most games will proceed to overtime to decide a winner. The first goal scored declares the winner. Overtime has had many formats over the years but typically 5 minutes in length and played at 3-on-3 in some leagues, 4-on-4 in some, and 5-on-5 in others. Playoff overtime length is typically the same length as the regulation periods and played at 5-on-5.
• Penalty Box – The penalty box is typically located on the opposite sides of the scorer’s box. In some older rinks, the penalty boxes were adjacent to each other without much separation between them. The penalty box is where players who are penalized will go to serve their penalties. Due to space limitations, some rinks will have the penalty and scorer’s box between the benches.
• Penalty Shot – A shot awarded in lieu of a penalty to a player who was fouled from behind or the periphery with a clear path to the goaltender based on the referee’s discretion. The penalty shot itself is a one-on-one breakaway with the goaltender and the puck carrier has one attempt and cannot contact the puck a second time once a shot has been taken however a puck may bounce off the post and in, off the goaltender and in, or both and still be a good goal.
• Puck – The black rubber disc that’s used to play the game. The object is to put the puck legally into the other team’s goal.
• Puck out of Play (protective netting) – When the puck leaves the playing surface, it is still considered in play if it hits the boards or glass. Any puck that hits the protective netting above the glass, the round corner pieces of glass at the benches, or anything beyond the border of the boards/glass is considered out of play and will result in a face off. A delay of game penalty may be called if the officials deem the action of shooting the puck out of play intentional.
• Save – A goalie who stops or deflects the puck is credited with a save only if the puck would have gone in had the goaltender not been there. This credits a shot on goal to the offensive team. A puck that directly hits the post or would have missed the net is not considered a save nor a shot on goal.
• Scorer’s Box – The scorer’s box is located between the penalty boxes and typically resides on the opposite side of the rink from the benches, though for space issues, some arenas have the benches, penalty boxes, and scorer’s box all on the same side. The scorer’s box is where the official scorer and clock operator work from. The P. A. announcer will be here in most lower-level arenas as well as the push to move the P. A. announcer to the pressbox has increased in the professional and higher college levels over recent years.
• Shootout – A series of alternating penalty shots to determine a winner following overtime. A shootout will sometimes occur in lieu of overtime to determine winners of advancement games or regular-season games. In playoffs, shootouts are rarely used except in international play. Shootouts can consist of three or five rounds typically and are decided when the goal differential for the leading team is larger than the attempts remaining for the trailing team.
• Stacked Penalties – A team may play with two fewer skaters than when playing at full strength howver may never fall below three skaters at any time. If the number of penalties on a team happens at such a point that more than three penalized players are in the penalty box at the same time, the penalties become stacked. Most scoreboard controllers can handle four or more penalties at one time. The “stacked” penalty time does not start until the first penalty expires. However, the player serving that first penalty does not exit the box at that time. They will either exit at the next whistle OR when the next penalty expires. Remember, with a stacked penalty, a new time will show up on the scoreboard and the on-ice strength is still 5-on-3. Also remember, in rinks in which the benches are next to the penalty box, the player MAY NOT just “go to the bench” when their penalty expires, but must wait for the stoppage or next penalty to expire. If they were to participate in play, they would be penalized for Illegal Substitution and return to the penalty box

Starting Line-ups

• Goalie First – G, D, D, LW, C, RW – You’re announcing from the back of the line-up to the front.
• Goalie Last – LW, C, RW, D, D, G – You’re announcing from the front of the line-up to the back.
• Can vary, but be consistent, if you have a star player at a different position, you can rearrange the line-up so they are last. Some will announce “forwards” in place of left wing, center and right wing.
• “Here are the starting line-ups for tonight’s game, first for the visiting (Team B), starting in goal, #35 … On defense, #5 … Also on defense, #55 … At Left Wing #17 … At Center #10 … and at Right Wing #11.”

In-Game Announcing

Hockey has certain points that are required to be announced. As the P. A. announcer, you are considered an off-ice official by most leagues which means no cheering in the scorer’s box or pressbox and you must report to the fans what is communicated with you. However, that doesn’t mean you must be completely impartial with your announcing. Have fun, and create a wonderful atmosphere for all players and those in attendance. Remember to always use the players’ first AND last names when announcing.

What To Announce	When/What To Announce	How To Announce
Goals	When a team scores, one of the on-ice officials (a referee if so designated) will report who scored and the assists to the scorekeeper in the order of goal scorer, first assist and second assist. For the purposes of hockey, up to two assists may be awarded and are the last two players from that team to touch the puck following control by the opponent. When announcing goals, announce the number of goals the player has in the game (if greater than one) and/or the season. Announce the goal once play has resumed.	“(Nickname) goal, scoring his 3rd goal of the season, number (number and name). Assisted by (number and name)…and by (number and name), time of the goal (time). That’s (proper/city name) goal, scored by (name and number), his 3rd goal of the season. Assisted by (number and name) and by (number and name), time of the goal, (time).”
Penalty Shot	The referee will report to the scorer’s table that a penalty shot has been awarded and in some cases the penalty and player who was responsible for the penalty shot to be awarded. The parts to announce can be divided up as you know the information and does not have to be all announced at one time though the cadence for a penalty shot can go quickly.	“(Team A) penalty to number (number and name) for (penalty) at (time). A penalty shot has been awarded to (Team B). Taking the penalty box (number and name).”
Penalty Shot Goal	A goal scored on the penalty shot will automatically be unassisted, announcing it accordingly will help you avoid being redundant.	“(Nickname) goal, scoring his second of the game and fourth of the season, (number and name). Time of the penalty shot goal, (time). That’s (proper/city name) goal, scored by (name and number), his second goal of the game and fourth of the season. Time of the penalty shot goal, (time).”
Unassisted Goal	Similar to a penalty shot goal, an unassisted goal will only have you announcing the goal scorer’s name, however you will add “unassisted”.	“(Nickname) goal, scoring her ninth of the season, (number and name). Unassisted. Time of the goal, (time). That’s (proper/city name) goal, scored by (name and number), her ninth of the season. Unassisted. Time of the goal, (time).”
Power Play Goal	A team who scores with an opposition player serving a penalty in the penalty box and leads to that player exiting the penalty box scores a power play goal.	“(Nickname) power play goal, scoring her second of the game and 15th of the season, (number and name). Assisted by (number and name), and by (number and name). Time of the goal, (time). That’s (proper/city name) goal, scored by (name and number), her second goal of the game and 15th goal of the season. Assisted by (number and name) and by (number and name). Time of the power play goal, (time).”
Short Handed Goal	A team who is penalized and playing down a player on the ice is short handed. When they score, it is a short-handed goal.	“(Nickname) short handed goal, scoring his sixth of the season, (number and name). Assisted by (number and name), and by (number and name). Time of the goal, (time). That’s (proper/city name) goal, scored by (name and number), sixth goal of the season. Assisted by (number and name) and by (number and name). Time of the short-handed goal, (time).”
Empty Net Goal	When a team pulls their goaltender in favor of an extra attacker and is scored against, that is an empty net goal.	“(Nickname) empty net goal, scoring her seventh of the season, (number and name). Assisted by (number and name), and by (number and name). Time of the goal, (time). That’s (proper/city name) goal, scored by (name and number), her seventh of the season. Assisted by (number and name) and by (number and name). Time of the empty net goal, (time).”
Reporting Times	Times are always announced as elapsed in hockey, except for one-minute remaining in the period. A lot of people have trouble figuring out elapsed time. To do so, follow this formula. Minutes of the full length of the period minus the minutes remaining, minus one. Seconds – 60 minus the seconds on the scoreboard.	20:00 period —> Penalty with 13:47 remaining. 20-13-1=6 60-47=13 Time of the penalty 6:13
One-Minute Remaining	Hockey has a long tradition dating back to when the game clocks looked more like an analog clock. To help teams and fans know there is one minute left in the period, the P. A. announcer would announce as such. Never replace “third” with “regulation” or “game” to maintain consistency and avoid having egg on your face if someone scores.	“One minute remaining in the (first/second/third) period, one minute.”
Penalties	See next section for penalty names and lengths. In the event of multiple penalties, announce all for the visiting team in numerical order first, then all for the home team in numerical order second. Wrap it up with the time of all the penalties.	“(City/Proper name) penalty to (number and name), (minutes) minutes for (penalty). Time of the penalty (time). That’s (nickname) penalty to (number and name), (minutes) minutes for (penalty). Time of the penalty (time).”
Timeouts	Each team is allotted one timeout per game. Typically 30-60 seconds in length.	“Timeout (City/Proper name).”
Shots on Goal	Shots on goal are announced at the end of each period. You will give the number of shots in the period and total through the end of that period. Start with the team that took the most shots on goal in that period. If tied, default to the home team.	“First period shots on goal for (Team A) 12. For (Team B) 9.” “Second period shots on goal, for (Team B) 11 for a two-period total of 20. For (Team A) 10 for a two-period total of 22.”
Goalie Changes	A goaltending change in hockey is similar to a pitching change in baseball and shall be announced immediately or the first stoppage after the change had been made if it hadn’t been noticed previously.	“Your attention please, now in goal for (Team A), (number and name).”
Play Under Review	In leagues that utilize video review, there are a couple of scenarios that can arise when announcing a player is under review. The first, and most common, is a goal that occurred on a rush and the play was concluded in the same end. The other scenario is when a goal is reviewed however the team that was scored against wound up scoring later in the same play. Currently, leagues don’t require the explanation of why a play is being reviewed, this section will be updated when those situations arise.	“The previous play is under review.” “The previous sequence of plays is under review.” “The previous play is being challenged by (Team B) for (Team A) being offside.” The previous play is being challenged by (Team A) for the puck crossing the goal line.”
No Goal Explanation	In most leagues, referees are required to have the announcer announce why a goal was waved off when the puck clearly entered the goal. Not all officials will do this however. Unless you have training and the trust of the on-ice officials, don’t venture a guess as to why the goal was waved off. A simple “No goal” is fine however if you are given an explanation, add that.	“No goal.” “No goal, crease violation was called on (Team B), no goal.” “No goal, the official lost sight of the puck and declared the play over prior to the puck crossing the line, no goal.” “No goal, the puck was directed in with the foot. No goal.”
Player Penalty Limits	In USA Hockey and other leagues, players have a limited number of penalties they may be assessed in a game similar to personal fouls in basketball. When announcing in a league that has penalty limits, add the number of penalties in the game to your announcement.	“(City/Proper name) penalty, his/her second of the game, to (number and name), (minutes) minutes for (penalty). Time of the penalty (time). That’s (nickname) penalty to (number and name), his/her second of the game, (minutes) minutes for (penalty). Time of the penalty (time).”
Coach Penalty Limits	For leagues that have penalties against the coach for excessive penalties, you’ll announce those as well, starting with the seventh team penalty. This number is based on our experience, some leagues may want you to start earlier.	“(City/Proper name) penalty, his/her third of the game, eighth team penalty, to (number and name), (minutes) minutes for (penalty). Time of the penalty (time). That’s (nickname) penalty to (number and name), his/her third of the game, eighth team penalty, (minutes) minutes for (penalty). Time of the penalty (time).”

Penalty	Description	Penalty Options*
Attempt to Injure	A player who attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent.	Major and Game Misconduct
Boarding	Awkwardly propelling an opponent into the boards.	2 minutes 2 minutes and a misconduct 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Body Checking	In leagues that do not permit checking, body checking may be called as a penalty. This usually occurs at lower level youth leagues and in adult leagues.	2 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Butt Ending	The use of the end of the stick to hit an opponent.	5 minutes and game misconduct
Charging	Taking multiple strides to check an opponent either against the boards or in open ice.	2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Checking from Behind	The act of hitting a player from behind anywhere on the ice.	2 minutes 2 minutes and a misconduct 5 minutes and a game misconduct
Clipping	Checking an opponent from the knees or below, essentially taking a players legs out from underneath them without use of the stick.	2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Covering the Puck	A player, other than the goaltender, that intentionally covers the puck, also called as “Delay of Game”	2 minutes
Cross Checking	A player using the shaft of their stick to hit an opponent with both hands on the stick.	2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Delay of Game	A player who intentionally covers the puck or unnecessarily prevents play from continuing.	2 minutes
Delay of Game – Puck Over Glass	A player who shoots the puck over the glass from their defensive zone (in higher levels of hockey including professional).	2 minutes
Delay of Game – Refusing to Start Play	A player who refuses to start play.	2 minutes
Diving/ Embellishment	A player who enhances being fouled to try to draw a penalty. Most leagues assess this with another penalty creating an offsetting-penalty situation however there is discussion to make this its own penalty.	2 minutes
Elbowing	Using the elbow to directly contact an opponent.	2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Equipment Violation	A player, other than the goaltender, who uses a broken stick, or any player on the ice using equipment that is torn, unsafe for use or otherwise altered from the equipment manufacturer’s specifications.	2 minutes
Faceoff Violation	A player who does not line-up for a faceoff when requested to by an official and continues the behavior in an effort to delay restarting the game.	2 minutes
Fighting	Dropping the gloves and punching your opponent. Some leagues allow throwing punches, whether or not the gloves were dropped, being called as fighting.	5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
First to Intervene in an Altercation	A player who joins into a fight or roughing situation when two players are combating each other is said to be the “third man in” or “first to intervene”.	Game misconduct
Game Misconduct	A player who is ejected from the game. 10 minutes goes into the official stats, the player is removed from the game.
Goaltender Interference	A player who interferes with the goaltender’s ability to play the puck while the goaltender is in the crease.	2 minutes
Head Butting	Intentionally contacting an opponent with the head or leading with the head on a check.	5 minutes and game misconduct
Head Contact/ Illegal Check to the Head	Contacting an opponent’s head with anything other than a stick.	2 minutes 2 minutes and misconduct 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
High Sticking	Contacting a player above the shoulders with the stick.	2 minutes 4 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Holding	A player using their hand to obstruct the movement of their opponent.	2 minutes
Holding the Stick	A player grabbing onto the stick of their opponent. Most leagues have brought this back under “holding”.	2 minutes
Hooking	A player using their stick to obstruct the movement of an opponent.	2 minutes
Illegal Equipment	A player using equipment that is broken or torn suck as a stick, glove or helmet.	2 minutes
Illegal Substitution	A player who is ineligible to play who participates in play at any time during the game.	2 minutes plus any remaining penalty time if applicable
Interference	A player may not interfere with an opponent’s ability to skate and/or play the puck. Setting a pick in hockey is interference, as is skating in such a way that a player cannot get to the puck, or his checked when attempting to get to the puck by the opponent in a checking league.	2 minutes
Kicking	The act of kicking an opponent, can also be called on a player who uses their skate to push off an opponent.	5 minutes and game misconduct
Kneeing	Using the knee to contact an opponent.	2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Leaving the Bench to Join Altercation	If a player leaves the bench to join or rejoin an altercation they are assessed an immediate game misconduct penalty. This also carries a suspension.	Game misconduct
Leaving the Crease to Join Altercation	A goaltender who leaves their crease after an altercation has begun to join the altercation is assessed a minor penalty for leaving the crease.	2 minutes
Match Penalty	An automatic five-minute penalty and an automatic game misconduct. A “match penalty” is announced as such and typically carries with it supplemental discipline as a player who acts in an egregious and dangerous manner is assessed a match penalty.
Misconduct	A 10-minute penalty that can be added on or as a stand-alone penalty.
Playing the Puck Outside the Goaltender’s Privileged Zone	In leagues that require goaltenders to only play the puck in the trapezoid behind the goal, a penalty is called when the goaltender plays the puck outside of this area behind the goal line.	2 minutes
Roughing	The general rule of thumb is punching an opponent with a gloved hand however that can also carry a fighting penalty if severe enough. Also given to players who are wrestling around.	2 minutes 4 minutes
Slashing	Using the stick blade to contact an opponent.	2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Slew Footing	Tripping a player backward by a player placing their leg behind that of their opponent and pulling them back toward the ice and landing awkwardly on their back	5 minutes and game misconduct
Spearing	Thrusting the stick blade into the opponent or using the stick to contact a player in the mid-section between their legs.	5 minutes and game misconduct
Too Many Men/ Too Many Players	A team who has more than the legal amount of skaters who actively participate in play. A team at full strength who has an extra player jump on the ice and participates in the play, has too many men/players on the ice. Same with a team with three or four skaters on the ice and an extra player participates without the goaltender or another player leaving the ice.	2 minutes (assessed to the bench and not a specific player)
Tripping	Using the stick to take down an opponent from the legs down.	2 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes and game misconduct
Throwing Equipment	A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player on the ice who shoots or throws any portion of their stick or any other object in the direction of the puck or to a teammate. When a player discards the broken portion of a stick by tossing it to the side of the rink (and not over the boards) in such a way as will not interfere with play or an opposing player, no penalty shall be assessed. A penalty shot/optional minor penalty shall be awarded to the non-offending team if a stick or any other object is shot or thrown at the puck in the offending team’s defending zone. The referee shall allow play to be completed and provided no goal is scored, the penalty shot/optional minor is awarded to the player who was in possession or last in possession of the puck. If the player fouled is not readily identified, the captain of the non-offending team shall select the player to take the penalty shot from those players who were on the ice at the time the infraction occurred. If the defending team’s goal is empty a goal shall be awarded. A penalty shot/optional minor penalty shall be awarded to the non-offending team any time any portion of a stick or other object is shot or thrown from the playing surface or team bench at an opponent during a breakaway. The referee shall allow the immediate play to be completed and provided no goal is scored, the penalty shot/optional minor is awarded to the player who was in possession of the puck. If the defending team’s goal is empty a goal shall be awarded. A misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who throws any portion of his stick or any other object outside of the playing area. A game misconduct penalty shall be assessed if done in protest of an official’s decision or if thrown at or in the direction of a spectator.	2 minutes Penalty shot Misconduct Game misconduct
Unsportsmanlike Conduct/ Abuse of Officials	Other conduct that includes verbal and non-verbal but aggressive behavior toward another player, coach or game official.	2 minutes Misconduct Game misconduct
Bench/Goaltender Penalties	Penalties called on the bench, the goaltender, a player who has an additional misconduct or higher penalty, or an additional penalty that is offsetting to a player on the other team, will have a player serve the penalty for them. The penalty will be on the player assessed, the player serving will be added after the time on the repeat.	“Serving the penalty, (number and name).”

Violations only apply to the team, it’s not necessary to single out a specific player who commits a violation.

Overtime/Shootout

Three outcomes happen when a regulation game ends with a tie. The game will be declared a tie, teams will proceed to an overtime period, or teams will proceed to a shootout. In some cases, a shootout will follow an overtime period. In playoffs in North America, teams will play overtimes until a winner is decided.

Overtime: Overtime periods are typically played over 5:00, though some will go to 10:00 during regular-season play. In professional playoffs and championship games, overtime is typically the length of a regulation period. All overtimes are “first-goal wins”. On-ice strength is pre-determined with 3-on-3 being played during regular season play with full 5-on-5 in playoffs and championship games. The announcement is typically, “To decide a winner, we proceed to overtime. Overtime will be a five-minute, 3-on-3 sudden death period.” If shootouts are a possibility, “If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, we will then proceed to a shootout.”

Shootout: If still tied after overtime in the regular season, or to choose a winner in a playoff with limited ice time, games will proceed to a shootout. Most are 3-vs-3, though some are 5-on-5. Confirm with your local league prior to the game the format they use. In shootout, you’ll announce:

• The goaltender for each team prior to the first shot
• The shooter prior to their shot and the team they are from
• The result of the goal
• The score after each round
• The final score when shootout is over, the player who scores the “winning” shootout goal is credited as the “Game-deciding goal” and not game-winning goal.

“In goal for (Team A), (number and name), and shooting first for (Team B), (number and name).”

Results

• “(Shooter’s name) unsuccessful.”
• “Save by (goaltender’s name).”
• “Goal by (shooter’s name).”

“The score after the first round, (leading team)-1, (trailing team)-0” or
“The score after the first round, the teams are tied at (1 or 0).”

Intermissions
The breaks between periods are called intermissions in hockey. They can last from 1-18 minutes and may include an ice cut. There are some games where there is an ice cut after one period while the other maintains a one-minute intermission. Use this time to announce the shots on goal and any other information necessary for the game or enjoyment of the fans.

Post-Game Annonucing
Following the game, you will announce the shots on goal and in keeping with hockey tradition, the three stars of the game. The three stars of the game is a hockey tradition and dates to the early days of the game. Whether your team wins or loses, the three stars should always be announced. We have a formula for helping to choose the three stars however use discretion when chosing to make sure the players chosen had an actual impact on the game.

Following the three-stars of the game, you’ll announce the upcoming game(s) with any special information and thank the fans for their attendance at the game.

Links

USA Hockey Rules

USA Hockey Junior Rules

Hockey Canada Rules

IIHF Rule Book

NCAA Hockey Rules

Ice Hockey (NFHS.org) – You must purchase this rule book from the NFHS

ECHL Rule Book

AHL Rule Book

NHL Rule Book

Hockey Monkey Website