Watching hockey is exciting, but sometimes it feels like the players and fans are speaking another language.

Words like “biscuit” or “dangle” might leave you scratching your head. But, don’t worry, you are not the only one!

Hockey has a lot of fun slang that can be confusing at first.

However, this guide will help you understand what those words mean so you can follow the game better, enjoy it more, and talk like a true fan.

Let’s get started and learn some cool hockey terms together!

Why Learn Hockey Slang?

Hockey isn’t just a sport, it’s a culture. And, like any great culture, it has its own language. So, learning hockey slang is like gaining a VIP pass to the most exclusive club in town.

Here’s why you should care:

• Sounds like an insider at games
• Connect with other fans
• Understand what’s happening on the ice
• Have way more fun watching and talking hockey

Slang That Brings the Game to Life

1. Biscuit: This is the puck.

• Example: “Pass the biscuit!”
• Use when talking about the puck in a casual way.

2. Apple: An assist (the pass that leads to a goal).

• Example: “What a pass! That’s a beautiful apple for the assist!”
• Use when talking about a great assist that helped score a goal.

3. Snipe: A killer shot that finds the perfect spot in the net.

• Example: “That was an unbelievable snipe right in the top corner!”
• Use to describe a perfect, well-placed goal.

4. Bar Down: When a shot hits the crossbar and goes in.

• Example: “Did you see that bar down goal? Unreal!”
• Use when someone scores off the crossbar – a beautiful, high-energy goal.

5. Dangle: When a player does crazy-awesome stickhandling.

• Example: “That guy just dangles through the defense like it’s nothing!”
• Use when a player uses impressive stickhandling to get past an opponent.

6. Five Hole: The space between a goalie’s legs.

• Example: “He scored five hole! That goalie never saw it coming!”
• Use when a shot sneaks through the goalie’s legs.

7. Sauce Pass: An airborne pass that flies over defenders’ sticks.

• Example: “Nice sauce pass over the defender’s stick to set up the goal!”
• Use when someone makes an impressive, airborne pass.

8. Grinder: The hardworking player who does the tough jobs.

• Example: “He’s a real grinder, always winning the puck battles in the corners.”
• Use for players who work hard on the ice, often with little fanfare.

9. Goon: The enforcer who’s ready to drop the gloves.

• Example: “The team’s got a goon to take care of the rough stuff!”
• Use when talking about a player whose job is to protect teammates and fight if necessary.

10. Duster: A player who barely gets ice time.

• Example: “He’s just sitting on the bench, a total duster today.”
• Use when someone isn’t playing much, often sitting out during games.

11. Barn: The hockey arena.

• Example: “I’ll see you at the barn for the big game tonight!”
• Use when referring to the arena where the game is being played.

12. Barnburner: A super exciting, high-scoring game.

• Example: “That was a barnburner last night, back and forth the whole game!”
• Use when describing an exciting and high-scoring game.

13. Celly: Goal celebration (short for celebration).

• Example: “That celly was amazing, he threw his hands up and dropped to his knees!”
• Use when talking about a player’s goal celebration.

14. Sin Bin: The penalty box.

• Example: “Looks like he’s going to the sin bin for that cross-check.”
• Use when referring to the penalty box.

15. Light the Lamp: Scoring a goal (the red light goes on).

• Example: “He lit the lamp again, another beautiful goal!”
• Use when talking about someone scoring a goal.

16. Flow/Lettuce: Amazing hockey hair.

• Example: “Check out his lettuce! That guy’s got some serious flow.”
• Use when referring to a player’s impressive hairstyle, typically long and flowing.

17. Playoff Beard: The tradition of not shaving during the playoffs.

• Example: “It’s playoff time, time to start growing that playoff beard!”
• Use when talking about the tradition of growing a beard during the playoffs.

Slangs Explained by College Stars

Quick Cheat Sheet of Hockey Slang

Final Whistle

You have just unlocked a new way of experiencing hockey.

These slang terms are more than just words; they are your gateway to understanding the game’s culture.

Don’t worry about getting everything right immediately.

Learning is a process, so stay curious, keep watching, and enjoy the path.

Every fan started exactly where you are now.