Fun Hockey Games to Play

When the five-on-five game just isn't doing it anymore, a hockey player needs to find other ways to entertain himself. Enthusiasts have plenty of different hockey-related games to choose from, depending on what they feel like playing. Most of these games are suitable for any number of participants, while allowing players to show off their shooting, skating, puck-handling and goal-tending skills away from a formal game environment.

  1. Elimination Shootout

    • This game is for three or more people, one of whom must be a goaltender. The object of the game is to be the last skater remaining. It begins with the first player starting with the puck at center ice. Once the goaltender is in position in front of one of the nets, the skater makes her way down the ice in an attempt to score. If she is successful, she advances to the next round. If not, she is eliminated. Once all skaters have had a breakaway, the players who scored may begin the next round. The game continues until only one player remains. If nobody scores in a given round, all participants from that round may shoot again to determine a winner.

    Trick Shots

    • The trick shot game on ice is similar to those used in billiards and basketball, and is ideally a two-person game. The first player chooses a spot on the ice from which to shoot. He declares the kind of shot he wishes to take (regular shot, wrist shot or slap shot) before shooting the puck toward the empty goal. If it goes in, the second player must match the shot exactly. If the second player doesn't score, the first player earns a point. If the second player is successful, no one earns points and the first player chooses a new shot. If the first player's original attempt doesn't go in, the second player may choose a shot. The first player to reach the preset point total wins.

    Target Shooting

    • This game is one of the more popular skills competitions at the annual National Hockey League All-Star Game; it's suitable for three or more participants. The game requires the use of corner targets, which come equipped on specific hockey nets. Players can also use their own targets, which they can fasten to the posts using strong tape. Competitors stand about 15 feet away from the net, with one player on either side of the goal with a bunch of pucks. A player shoots the first puck with the goal of hitting one of the four corner targets. A player next to the goal immediately passes her another puck, and she takes her second attempt. The player to hit all four corner targets in the fewest number of shots wins.