sports dictionary Ice hockey - FIVE BY FOUR (5 BY 4)

Ice hockey FIVE BY FOUR (5 BY 4) the format of the game in which one team plays in the minority, and the other is in full strength. If one of the hockey players has committed a violation of the rules, which is punishable by removal without the right to substitute, then he leaves his partners in the minority. During the penalty period, the game is played in a 5v4 format (goalkeepers are not counted). The advantage of a hockey player makes it possible for one of the teams to concentrate all their forces on attacking actions. It is important for them to quickly enter the opponents zone, correctly build a positional attack and make throws exclusively from favorable positions. Only in this case can we hope for an effective implementation of the majority. The team that is in the minority must restrain the opponents attacking impulse. It is very important to make it as difficult as possible to enter your zone. Even with a one-player deficit, you can count on a productive counterattack. However, it all depends on the coachs attitude. Most often, when playing in a numerical minority, hockey players simply take the puck away from their goal.