Tickets to a game

or...

A television (to watch at least one full game)

A TV guide (so you'll know when the game is on)

A friend who follows hockey and can provide play-by-play commentary tailored to your needs (optional but also invaluable)

About two and a half hours (a half-hour to study this tutorial and two hours to watch an actual game)

2torial #0546: Learn2 Understand Hockey How to tell a slap shot from pot shot OK, you know hockey involves ice and sticks and a puck and fistfights. But if your big Canadian client (or hockey-loving significant other) takes you to an NHL play-off game, will you know the difference between a hat trick and a butt end? To the untrained eye, ice hockey can look like a brawl in which players whack away at the puck (and each other) with impunity. But in fact, their actions are a well-orchestrated affair, governed by carefully crafted strategies and a strict set of rules. If you understand the basics of hockey, you're much more likely to enjoy your rink-side seats, so we've created a quick guide to the rules of the game. Despite its popularity, the origins of ice hockey are lost in the mists of time. The game was long believed to be a winter-time variation of English field hockey, but recent evidence suggests a connection with both Native American lacrosse and Irish hurling. Mention these facts to a hockey buff and you may get some points as an insider. Unfortunately, it will take longer to grasp the hockey's nitty-gritty. The rules seem baffling at first, and the speed of the game can overwhelm the newcomer. Don't expect to master the details by half-time. Instead, let the game's ballet-like qualities wash over you, and always remember: the players manage to do everything while balanced on the precariously narrow blades of their skates! Step 1