Though a team can carry up to twenty players, there are only six players allowed on the ice for each hockey team. There are usually three forwards, two defenders, and a goalkeeper. Players under 20 years old are required to wear face masks and protective equipment. The dimensions of the playing surface are usually 90 feet by 200 feet.
There are usually three referees, although sometimes there may only be two. The linesmen judge violations such as substitutions and icing, and they check the goal before the game.
Main referees judge whether or not a player high sticks the puck (the stick goes over the head), whether or not there are too many players on the ice at once, and whether or not the goal is correctly placed.
There are six types of penalties: minor and major penalties, beach minors, double minors, misconduct, and game misconduct. If a player receives five penalties, he/she receives a game misconduct as well. Deliberate violations include abuse of officials, an attempt to injure another player, deliberate injury, or kicking a player. Serious potential injury violations include butt ending, checking from behind with or without use of the player's head, grabbing a facemask, headbutting and spearing. Kneeing, checking, elbowing, charging, and cross checking would result in a minor or major penalty depending on the judgment of the referee and situation.
Two United States hockey players celebrating
Ice Hockey Rules
The five rings in the Olympic flag represent the five continents.
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Olympic Women