Laredo Bucks

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOCKEY

Q: What is the puck made of?
A: The puck is made of vulcanized rubber and is three inches in diameter and one inch thick, weighing about six ounces. It is frozen before entering play to make it bounce resistant.

Q: Which shot is the hardest for a goalie to stop?
A: Generally speaking, it is one that’s low and to the stick side. Some goaltenders overplay to the stick side, presenting a more inviting target on the glove side.

Q: What about deflections?
A: Deflections aren’t just luck. Players practice redirecting shots by standing at the side of the net and knocking a shot from the outside past the goalie into another area of the goal.

Q: Which is tougher for the goalie to stop a slap shot or a wrist shot?
A: The slap shot, while it is harder and faster, is easier for the goalie to time than a wrist shot, which takes the goalie more by surprise.

Q: How thick is the ice?
A: The ice is approximately 3/4" thick and is usually kept at 16 degrees for the proper hardness. The thicker the sheet of ice becomes, the softer and slower it is.

Q: What are the standard dimensions of the rink?
A: The standard is 200’ by 85’, although some do vary.

Q: Can the puck be kicked in for a goal?
A: Not intentionally. However, if a puck is deflected off a skate or off a player’s body and no overt attempt is made to to throw it or kick it in, a goal is allowed.

Q: What if an offensive player is in the crease?
A: If he is there under his own power and the puck goes in, the goal is disallowed. A goal can be awarded if the player was forced into the crease or held there by a defensive player. An offensive player is allowed to carry the puck into the crease and score.

Q: Why do goalies frequently come out of in front of their net?
A: Usually when a goalie leaves the area immediately in front of the goal it is to reduce the shooting area, cut down the angle of the shooter or for the offensive player to release his shot before he would like to. After coming out of the net, the goalie is usually backing up slowly in an attempt to get the shooter to commit himself first.

Q: Who gets credited for an assist?
A: The last player or players (no more than two) who touch the puck prior to the goal scorer are awarded assists. For example, if player A passes to player B who passes to player C who scores a goal; players A and B get assists.

Q: Why doesn’t the referee stop fights?
A: There are several. First, it is his job to watch what is going on and determine who should be penalized. Also, it is quite hazardous in close during a fight and since he is in sole control of the game, he has to protect himself from injury.

Q: How are the markings - the red and blue lines, goal lines, crease and face-off circles - applied to the ice?
A: The ice is built up to a half-inch thickness by spraying water over the concrete floor, which has the freezing pipes embedded into it. Then the markings are painted on, after which additional water is sprayed to coat the markings and build the ice to the prescribed thickness.

Q: What are hockey sticks made of?
A: Hockey sticks are made of wood, aluminum, or graphite. The handle can be one piece and the laminated wooden blade is then affixed to it. Players also use stick that are all on solid piece.

Q: Are all sticks alike?
A: Far from it. Just as baseball players have individually personalized bats, so too do hockey players have their own patterned sticks. Flexibility, the angle of the blade, weight, etc., vary from player to player.

FAST FACTS
The Laredo Bucks play in the CHL (Central Hockey League) which consists of 17 teams located throughout the states of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

There are two 18-minute intermissions. One takes place between the first and second periods, and the other between the second and third periods of play.

Two points are awarded for a win, one point for a shootout or overtime loss and no points for a regulation loss.

The ice surface at the Laredo Entertainment Center is 200-feet long by 85-feet wide.

The goal is six-feet wide by four-feet high, which are the same dimensions as a baseball batters box.

For a goal to be scored, the puck must pass over the goal line completely. If the puck just touches the goal line, but does not cross all the way over, it is not considered a score.

ABOUT THE PLAYERS
Players skate up to 25 miles per hour and shoot the puck up to 95 miles an hour.

The average player on the Bucks is 6’1” tall, weighs 205 pounds and is 24.5 years old.

The goaltender is the last line of defense and wears the most equipment to protect them from the puck.

Each team may dress 18 players for a game, consisting of 16 skaters and two goalies.

ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT
The puck is made of vulcanized rubber, weighs six ounces and is frozen before games to prevent it from bouncing.

Sticks are made of aluminum, wood or graphite.

The shaft of a hockey stick can be no longer the 63 inches in length. The blade can’t be more than 12.5 inches long, and now wider than three inches.