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How is ice hockey different from field hockey?
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ice hockey
Goalie Marc-André Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights blocking a shot by Jakub Vrána of the Washington Capitals in game five of the 2018 Stanley Cup finals. The Capitals won the game and the series.
Ice hockey and field hockey differ significantly in their playing environment, equipment, and team composition.1
- Surface and Setting: Ice hockey is played on an enclosed ice rink, whereas field hockey is played on grass or synthetic turf.1
- Team Size: Ice hockey teams consist of six players, while field hockey teams feature 11 players each.1
- Equipment: Ice hockey players use a curved stick to shoot a flat vulcanized rubber puck. Field hockey players use a flat-faced stick to hit a hard plastic ball.1
- Playing Area and Goals: A standard North American ice hockey rink measures 200 by 85 feet with goals 6 feet wide and 4 feet high. A field hockey pitch is 100 by 60 yards, with larger goals measuring 12 feet wide and 7 feet high.1
While ice hockey evolved from various influences, including field hockey and lacrosse, it is distinct for being played on ice, a feature that helped it gain popularity in colder climates like Canada and the northern United States.23