Ice hockey

Ice hockey probably developed from a game called bandy that was played on ice-covered pitches.The modern game is played over three-20 minute periods between two teams.Each team has six players on the ice at any one time.The object is to move the puck (a hard rubber disc) across the ice with a stick (maximum length 160 cm [63 in])and put it into the opponent's goal.

                                                              The National Hockey League (NHL) was formed in 1917.Today the NHL is made up of 30 teams split into two conferences.The Eastern Conference has 15 teams divided into three divisions:Atlantic,North-East and South-East.The Western Conference is also divided into three divisions:Central,North-West and Pacific.At the end of season the leading teams in each conference play each other.The winner of each plays for the Stanley Cup.