Hockey is a fast-paced team sport played on a rink with five skaters and one goaltender per team. The objective is to score goals by shooting a puck into the opponent's net while defending their own. The game consists of three periods, each lasting 20 minutes, with stoppages for penalties, offsides, icing, and goals. Players move the puck using hockey sticks, passing it to teammates and taking shots on goal. Skaters aim to outmaneuver opponents, create scoring opportunities, and maintain possession of the puck while navigating the ice surface. The goaltender, equipped with protective gear, defends the net from shots by opposing players. Key rules include offsides, where players cannot precede the puck into the offensive zone, and icing, where a player shoots the puck from behind the center line and it crosses the opponent's goal line without being touched. Penalties are called for infractions such as tripping, slashing, or high-sticking, resulting in the offending player spending time in the penalty box and their team playing shorthanded. Teams aim to capitalize on power play opportunities when they have a numerical advantage due to an opponent's penalty. Conversely, penalty-killing units work to prevent goals while shorthanded. Goals are scored when the puck crosses the goal line between the goalposts and beneath the crossbar. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, overtime and shootout formats may be used to determine a winner. Ice hockey requires skill, speed, and physicality, making it an exhilarating and popular sport worldwide.