penalty kill
Plural
penalty kills
1
the situation in hockey when a team is playing shorthanded due to a penalty and is defending against the opposing team's power play
A penalty kill is when a hockey team plays with fewer players on the ice because one of their players has been penalized. During this time, the team on the penalty kill works to prevent the opposing team from scoring, usually by blocking shots, clearing the puck out of their own zone, and keeping strong defensive positioning. The team on the penalty kill must be extra careful, as the other team has a player advantage, but if they successfully defend and stop the other team from scoring, the penalty ends and the team returns to full strength.
- The team's penalty kill unit is on the ice.
- They successfully completed the penalty kill.
- Their penalty kill strategy is strong.
- She blocked a shot during the penalty kill.
- The goalie made several saves on the penalty kill.