Rink The rink is the icy surface on which a hockey game is played . It is specifically designed for the game , of a rectangular shape with rounded corners and surrounded by a one metre ( 40 inches ) wall called " the boards " . Dimensions . There are two standard rink dimensions in use worldwide . One is used in North America , while the other is used everywhere else . In North America . North American rinks usually follow the National Hockey League ' s standard specifications , them being 200 ft × 85 ft ( 61 m × 26 m ) with a corner radius of 28 ft ( 8 . 5 m ) . The distance from the end boards to the nearest goal line is 11 ft ( 3 . 4 m ) . The distance from each goal line to the nearest blue line is 64 ft ( 19 . 3 m ) . The distance between the two blue lines is 50 ft ( 15 . 0 m ) . The IIHF specifications . Elsewhere , the rink dimensions comply with the International Ice Hockey Federation ' s specifications : 61 m × 30 m ( 200 ft × 98 . 5 ft ) with a corner radius of 4 . 2 m ( 14 ft ) . The distance from the end boards to the nearest goal line is 4 m ( 13 ft ) . The distance from each goal line to the nearest blue line is 17⅔ m ( 58 ft ) . The distance between the two blue lines is also 17⅔ m ( 58 ft ) . The wider surface of the IIHF allows a more open play . Lines . Five lines are drawn on the ice . Those lines are drawn from one board to the other on the width and are used to regulate play and divide the ice into several zones . The main line is the " center line " , typically referred to as the " red line " due to its colour . It splits the ice surface in two equal parts and is used to judge icing calls . The center line is a think one , and in the NHL , it contains alternate rectangular patterns to help readily distinguish it from both " blue lines " , two lines that mark the boundaries of each team ' s own zone . They are used to determine offside s . Finally , near both ends of the ice are two thin red lines , the " goal lines " . Those lines are used to determine the validity of a goal . Faceoff spots and circles . A hockey rink bears nine " faceoff spots " . Those spots are located as follows : one at the very center of the ice , on the center line , two at each end of the neutral zone and two in each end zone . Most faceoffs are taken at those spots . Except for the spots in neutral territory , all of the spots are surrounded by a circle , the " faceoff circles " . Those circles are usually red ( except the center ice one , which might be blue ) . The circles at the end of each zone bear hash marks , used to tell the players where they can legally place themselves for the faceoff . Goal posts , nets , crease and trapezoids . At the end of each zone , there is a " goal " , a metal frame and a cloth net in which the players must shoot the puck to score goal s . The goal is six feet wide and four tall ; the two vertical metal bars are named the " goal posts " ; the horizontal line connecting both is the " crossbar " . The back of the goal is covered by a net used to collect the pucks shot into the goal . Flexible pegs are used to anchor the goal in the ice ; their flexibility ensures that the goal freely moves should a player crash in it in the course of action . Painted on the ice in front of the net is what is called the " goal crease " , a blue half - circle ( truncated by straight lines extending 1 ft ( 30 . 5 cm ) each sides of the posts ) . This area is reserved to the goaltender and , in many leagues , skaters are forbidden to enter the crease . Unlike most other sports , players can freely skate and play behind the goals . So can the goaltender ; often they will go behind their net to handle loose pucks and start new plays for his team . The American Hockey League instated an experimental rule for the first seven weeks of the 2004 - 05 AHL season by drawing two additional thin red lines behind the goal to the end boards to form a trapezoid - this shape gave it ' s name to the newly created zone . The rule ' s purpose was to allow a more fluid play by forbidding the goaltenders to handle the puck behind his net outside of this trapezoid . It also aimed at prolonging attacks , since this limitation of the goaltender ' s freedom also hindered his ability to clear the puck . Should a goalie nevertheless handle the puck outside of the trapezoid ( and of course , outside of his crease ) , it immediately triggers a 2 minute penalty for delay of game . The ruled proved so successful that the league adopted it for the remainder of the season and the ones thereafter ; the NHL and ECHL adopted it the following season .