5 Facts you didn’t know About Hockey
Ice hockey enjoys a huge following in North America and Canada. The sport actually started in Canada. It was only later on that teams from the United States and some countries in Europe were allowed to join the National League. As of now, there are close to 31 teams that in the league. You don’t need to be told when there is hockey match. This is because the cities are painted with various colors by die hard fans.
The stadiums also get filled to capacity. However, there are some interesting facts that are known about hockey. Some are weird while others are comical. Below is a compilation of facts about hockey that you should know.
- 12 Hockey pucks are Used in a Single Game
A puck is basically a small object that resembles a big bolt nut. During a hockey game, players have to push it towards the goal of the opponent. The puck is actually made from activated rubber. 12 pucks must be used in one game. Before a puck is used, it must be stored in a freezer. The low temperatures make it resistant to bouncing, which in return enables it to have a firm grip on the floor of the playing area.
As it gets moved back and forth, the resulting friction causes it to thaw. According to the rules of the sport, it’s the responsibility of the host team to provide frozen pucks.
- Players Must Wear Skates
Skates are the main gear that differentiates ice hockey from the other type that’s played on dry ground. Since the sport is played on ice, the players must wear skates before stepping on the ice or they will not be able to move around. When you look at how the players glide from one end of the field to another, you might think that their shoes are fitted with some wheels such as those used on skateboards. But they have none.
The skates actually have thick rubber soles that are wedge shaped that enable the players to manoeuvre around without falling. If you are interested in playing hockey, you should consider these hockey skates.
- Mouth Guards are not mandatory but Helmets are a Must
Hockey players are allowed to play without having to wear mouth guards. However, majority of the players can’t dare to go to a game without a mouth guard. This is because the nature of the sport pushes players into bumping against each other, which makes their teeth more vulnerable to injuries. The puck or the stick can also accidentally hit a player in the mouth. But when a mouth guard is in place, it reduces the impact of such an accident.
Helmets on the other hand are mandatory. Any player that doesn’t cover his head with a helmet can’t be allowed to participate in any game. As a matter of fact, players started using helmets back in 1979 after it was discovered that they help in mitigating the risk of head injuries.
- Jacques Plante is the Pioneer of Goaltenders’ Masks
Jacques Plante, of Montreal Canadiens started wearing goalie masks long before they were introduced. He used to wear a mask that was made from fiberglass material. People used to laugh at him for not exposing his face like the other goaltenders. His breakthrough with the mask came after he suffered an injury that got him benched for a number of games. The team lost most of the games that were played in his absence. While coming back into the game, Plante told his coach that there was no way he was going to play without a mask. And that’s when other goalies saw the sense in his argument.
- Players Fill Stanley’s Cup with Food and Drinks
The Stanley’s cup is the trophy that’s given to the best performing team in a championship match. Once a team is announced as the winner, they immediately grab the trophy and fill it with whatever food or drink that they like. Once the cup is full to the rim, the players and their coaches eat all the contents and even throw some to their fans.
