Hockey is a game that requires skill and speed and toughness, but in the end is ruled by statistics like any other sport. An individual player's offensive success is measured by his point totals, while points also determine his team's success. Individual and team point totals are calculated in different ways.
Individual Points
Individual players record points by goals and assists. A goal is awarded to the last player on the offensive team to touch the puck before it goes in the net. Usually, the goal scorer puts the puck in the net directly, but sometimes a defensive player accidentally puts the puck in his own net. An assist is awarded to the two players on the offensive team who touched the puck before the goal scorer shot it in, as long as no member of the defense touched it in between. If only one player passed the puck to the goal scorer, then only one assist is awarded. Goals and assists count as one point each, and are added to a player's individual statistics.
Points for a Win
A hockey team is awarded two points for a win, in both amateur and professional hockey. A win means that your team has at least one more goal than the opposition when the game is over. In professional leagues, the team that wins in a shootout or in overtime is also awarded two points. The points are added to the teams' total to determine the standings for each particular league.
Points for a Loss
When a hockey team loses a game in regulation, meaning no overtime or shootout were required, it receives no points. In professional leagues like the NHL, a team that loses a regular season game in overtime or a shootout still earns one point.
Tie Games
Many amateur hockey leagues, especially kids' leagues, don't follow the pros with overtime and shootouts in regular season games. If the game ends in a tie, each team is awarded one point and that's the end of the game.
The Playoffs
Hockey playoffs occur after the regular season has ended, just as with other sports. Once the playoffs start, the point system is out the window and teams play "best of" series. In the NHL, all playoff series are best four of seven, but in amateur leagues you may find best three of five, or even best two of three. The team that wins the required number of games moves on and the other is done for the year, and points mean nothing.
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