Hockey (Men's) for Sun Mar 07, 2010

Ice-hockey is one of the most spectacular team sports played today, and certainly one of the fastest. The sport is played widely across North America and Europe by males and females and requires a high level of technique, strength, balance, agility and anaerobic conditioning. The game has several age divisions and skill categories and is played at amateur and professional levels, with children being introduced to the sport at 5 to 6 years of age.  Many participants consider hockey a lifetime sport playing the game well into their 70’s.  A game consists of two competing teams with six players each (two defenders, three attackers and the goal keeper). Substitutions are fast and regular. A hockey game is made up of three periods of a pre-determined length and may extend to sudden victory overtime if tied at the end of regulation time.  In a competition, qualifying teams advance to semi-finals and medal games.