If this period ends in a tie, the teams will engage in a penalty shootout. A team scores when one of its players shoots the puck into the opponent's net with his stick. Players who help set up a goal get an assist, but only two assists can be scored on a goal. Hockey does not employ a large variety of set plays as in football. Instead, the players must react from instinct.
Teamwork is the key.
Once you've mastered the three basic rules you'll be on your way. They are offside, offside pass and icing the puck. These three rules are designed to cut down on stalling, encourage teamwork and maintain the speed of the game. When an attacking player crosses the defending teams blue line before the puck, he is offside. The position of the player's skates and not that of his stick is the determining factor.