Frequently asked questions about hockey
How do they make an ice rink?
Water is sprayed over a concrete floor that has freezing pipes imbedded in it. Multiple layers of ice are sprayed on until it reaches proper thickness.
How are the lines placed on the ice?
The ice is build to a half-inch thickness, then the markings are painted on, after which additional water is sprayed to "coat" the markings and build the ice to the prescribed thickness.
What is a Zamboni?
It’s the name of the machine that cleans the ice between periods. The Zamboni scrapes off the loose shavings and lays down a layer of hot water that welds a smooth sheet of new ice to the playing surface.
What is a puck made of?
The puck is 6 oz. Of solid vulcanized rubber, three inches in diameter and one inch thick. It is frozen before use to prevent it from bouncing on the ice.
How fast does the puck travel?
Some NHL slap shots travel up to 100 mph. Speeds of 120 mph have been recorded by some of the professional game's hardest shooters. To add to a goaltender’s problems, the puck often curves in flight making its path difficult to predict.
