Here is a briefing on the game if you're new at it. If you think this is insulting, the Toronto Raptors of the NBA sent out a leaflet to Torontonians as a guide to show them how to enjoy the game. I liked it because I'm not an avid basketball fan, but it seems like fun. So, here is my guide.
The People Involved
Each team has 20 guys in their lineup, 18 skaters and two goalies. On the ice, each team has no more than 6 players at a time. There is the centre, left wing, right wing, two defence and a goalie. There are three on-ice officials. The referee and the two linesmen. All three wear black and white stripes, but the referee wears an orange armband on his arms. The referee signals goals, calls penalties and has the final word. The primary responsibility of the linesmen is to call icing and offsides (I'll get to those later), but they also help break up fights, call goals if the ref is out of position and misses it while they see it, and call penalties that the ref missed but are dangerous to a player's life and safety. There are numerous off-ice officials.
The players on the ice have specific roles. The goaltender never leaves his own zone. He usually stays in the net to block shots, but comes out of the net to play a loose puck and help his team setup or stop a breakaway. Defence do what their name implies. They stay back on the play to avoid giving an opposing player a one-on-one on the goalie. Sometimes they'll go up to join the rush when they get a chance.
The next positions are called forwards. The left and right wings mainly stick to playing on their side of the ice. If the puck is on the other side of the ice, they'll either go over and help or stay on their side and get open for a pass. The centre is usually the best player on the ice. He is important. He must be good offensively and defensively. If the puck is on either side of the ice, he must go whereas the wingers and defencemen split the duty. The centre is the most versatile player on the ice. He must switch from offence to defence when needed and must be an extra attacker during a scramble.
