2006-12-01 16:38:42 · 5 answers · asked by Scunnered! 3 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Wow. That was a lot of fast typing, bill! Thanks! After 4 years of watching hockey, I guess I needed to learn that!
2006-12-01 16:44:47 · update #1
The blue lines divide the rink into three zones. The central zone is called the neutral zone or simply center ice. The generic term for the outer zones is end zones, but they are more commonly referred to by terms relative to each team. The end zone in which a team is trying to score is called the attacking zone or offensive zone; the end zone in which the team's own goal net is located is called the defending zone or defensive zone.
The blue line is considered part of whichever zone the puck is in. Therefore, if the puck is in the neutral zone, the blue line is part of the neutral zone. It must completely cross the blue line to be considered in the end zone. Once the puck is in the end zone, the blue line becomes part of that end zone. The puck must now completely cross the blue line in the other direction to be considered in the neutral zone again.
2006-12-01 16:41:42 · answer #1 · answered by Bill P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bill is correct in that the Blue lines divide the rink into the zones. They are also used for determine offsides and in the old NHL two line passes.
Offsides occurs when a player goes into his attacking zone before the puck. When this occurs the whistle is blown and the puck is brought outside the zone and a face off occurs.
Prior to the 2005-2006 NHL season a player could not pass the puck across two lines if he did the puck would be brought to the face off circle in front of his own net and the play would resume from there. For example if a player was in his own defending zone and his teammate was across the center line the puck would cross the blue line the center line and reach his own teammate leading to stoppage of play and the puck brought all the way back.
2006-12-02 01:36:35 · answer #2 · answered by needingajob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To make this easy to Understand!!! the blue gives both teams their own zones and if the oposing team enters your zone before the puck, the play will be offside. the nhl made the team zones wider in the 2005/2006 season.
2006-12-02 09:39:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a thick line that is painted blue under the ice
2006-12-05 11:33:48 · answer #4 · answered by oldtomato 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THEY PUT IT THERE SO THE PLAYER HAVE SOMEWHERE TO LINE UP SO THEY CAN PLAY THE NATIONAL ANTHEMS
2006-12-02 08:54:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋