Positions

     Since the Flyers are taking some time off and haven't had much going on in the past week, let's talk about some super simple stuff.  Today we're going to touch on the positions in ice hockey.  Each team has 6 players on the ice at a time (unless they are short-handed for a penalty or if they are in overtime).  They are split into offensive positions and defensive positions.  On the offensive side of the house, there is one center and two wingers.  Back on defense are two defensemen and a goalie.  When players line up at the begining of a period or after someone scores a goal, this is how the team will line up:

     The roles of the positions are pretty self explanatory.  The offenseman's job is to get down in the offensive zone and put the puck in the net.  The defense are more worried about making sure they they keep the goals against down to a minimum.  One of the great things about hockey, however, is that even though someone may be a center, if the puck is in their own zone, they are playing in a defensive manner to make sure that the other team doesn't score.

     The Flyers are on a break from now until Sunday when they take on the Penguins.  This is a big game for the Philly team because the Pens are currently leading the Atlantic division (the one the Flyers are in).  It's also a big game because no one likes the Penguins or Sydney Crosby.  But I'm sure we'll talk more about him next week.