I was discussing hockey with a friend of mine and the topic of hockey knowledge arose. We came around to discussing things that dedicated hockey fans (as opposed to casual fans who check the odd box score or jump on the playoff bandwagon) would know just by watching, following and being around the game (the NHL, in particular). Not necessarily hockey trivia, but stuff you pick up just by being a fan (although sometimes what you pick up is trivia).
What questions would you suggest for such a quiz?
I took a crack at it – take a look and let me know if I’m crazy or just ignorant. (The questions are Canada/U.S. and NHL-centric, and are not intended to be “gotchas” – they all have straightforward answers. I tried to avoid stuff that might be age-group specific, although some of the questions may be tougher for younger fans. My expectation is that dedicated fans will find them relatively easy, although there are a couple you may have to noodle on for a bit. I tried not to make them geeky but some probably are.)
[ol]
[li]A goalie has these stats: 2.12 and .908. What do they represent?[/li][li]What are the half-boards?[/li][li]A ref is calling a high-sticking penalty and is deciding between a minor or double-minor. What is he looking for?[/li][li]Name two from the Triple Crown Line. Bonus: all three.[/li][li]Sidney Crosby scored the game-winning overtime goal to win the gold medal for Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Who scored the goal to send it to overtime?[/li][li]During a stoppage in play, you glance over at Ken Dryden standing in his crease. What is he doing?[/li][li]What happened on August 9, 1988?[/li][li]What NHL team did Gilbert Perreault play for? Bonus: his line had a nickname in the 70’s.[/li][li]A team is cycling the puck. What are they doing?[/li][li]A fight breaks out between a couple of defensemen with no instigator or infraction leading up to it. The fight is a wash, however during the skirmish Belligerent A grabs Belligerent B’s jersey and immediately yanks it completely over his rival’s head, effectively pulling it off. Aside from the 5 each for fighting, the referee assesses an additional minor penalty. To whom and why?[/li][li]What is the Selke Trophy awarded for?[/li][li]What is Russia’s (including some former Soviet republics) professional hockey league called?[/li][li]The NHL introduced a new “class” of penalties in the mid 00’s to combat this defensive tactic. Bonus points: name the team that brought this tactic to prominence. Name the modifier used to describe these penalties.[/li][li]What might you expect a passionate Red Wings fan to throw on the ice during a heated home playoff game?[/li][li]Who was the first Russian-born player “permitted” to play in the NHL by his home country?[/li][li]The Caroline Hurricanes were formerly this team.[/li][li]According to Jim Schoenfeld, what is Don Koharski’s favourite food?[/li][li]Name three methods the NHL has used to select each side for the all-star game.[/li][li]Team A is shorthanded, and the referee calls a delayed penalty against them. Team B retains possession, pulls their goalie, and scores prior to stoppage. What happens penalty-wise?[/li][li]Hockey nerd bonus: Team A and Team B are playing at even strength. Play is active for several minutes, with both teams enjoying puck possession. Team A scores, with the referee signaling a valid goal. One of the linesmen skates over and consults with the referees, who huddle, disallow the goal, and assess Team A a double minor. What is it for?[/li][/ol]
Answers:
[ol]
[li] Goals-against average and save percentage.[/li][li] The area of the boards halfway between the blue line and the goal line.[/li][li] Injury (read: blood).[/li][li] Simmer, Taylor, Dionne.[/li][li] Zach Parise.[/li][li] Resting his arms and chin on his stick.[/li][li] Oilers trade Gretzky to the Kings.[/li][li] Sabres. The French Connection.[/li][li] The forwards are working the puck up and down the boards (usually from the corner to about the half-boards) in the offensive zone, typically carrying the puck up the boards and passing it back to another forward when they get in trouble. The intent is to tire/draw the defense out of position and take advantage of shooting and passing lanes as they develop.[/li][li] Belligerent B for failing to attach his fight strap.[/li][li] Best defensive forward.[/li][li] KHL (Kontinental Hockey League).[/li][li] Neutral zone trap. New Jersey Devils. “Obstruction.”[/li][li] An octopus.[/li][li] Sergei Pryakhin (OK, this one is probably unfair – I only know it because I’m a Flames fan.)[/li][li] Hartford Whalers.[/li][li] Doughnuts. ;)[/li][li] Conference vs. conference, North America vs. “The World,” captains pick teams.[/li][li]The penalty assessed to the player in the box is over. The delayed penalty is enforced and Team A is shorthanded again.[/li][li] High-sticking. The linesman noticed a high-stick causing injury at some point during play. Of the class of penalties the linesman may report to the referee when play concludes, only one is a double minor. (You will go your entire fan-career not knowing this until your team has a goal disallowed because of it, then you will never forget it.) :)[/li][/ol]
