Penalty box: There are two penalty boxes on the side of a hockey rink - one for each team. They are normally located next to the scorer’s area. Penalized players must remain in the penalty box until their penalty time has expired
Penalty killing: A team that is short one or two players due to penalties is engaged in penalty killing. Strategies to kill (use up) the penalty time include shooting the puck the length of the ice or gaining possession and skating in circles away from the opposing team.
Penalty shot: When a player, in control of the puck on the opponent's side of the center red line and having no other opponent to pass than the goalkeeper, is tripped or otherwise fouled from behind, thus preventing a reasonable scoring opportunity, a penalty shot will be awarded to the non-offending team. The player who is fouled will then have the opportunity to skate in on the goalie, with no defending players in the zone, for one shot.
Penalty: A penalty is assessed against a player who on the ice for an infraction of the rules. The player must go the penalty box and reside there until their penalty time is up.
Periods: An ice hockey game normally has three periods of play with a rest time and/or ice resurfacing between each period. Periods can be between 10 and 20 minutes in length and can be either stop time or running time. In-line hockey frequently is played with only two periods.
PIM: PIM is an abbreviation that is used to indicate a player’s total Penalties - in minutes.
Player’s benches: Each team has a player’s bench along side the rink. Players not currently on the rink must stay on the player’s bench.
Plus/Minus: When a goal is scored for a player's team while the player is on the ice it is counted as +1. If a goal is scored against a player's team while the player is one the ice it counted as -1. The total for the player is known as plus/minus. This statistic is not normally collected in adult recreational hockey.
Plyometrics: A series of exercises that involve jumping and rapid foot movement. Plyometrics can substantially improve a player’s agility.
Point: The point is an area just inside the blue line of the attacking zone. It is normally occupied by the attacking team's defensive players.
Poke check: A poke check is used to knock the puck away from the puck carrier. It is normally used by defenders against attacking players. The poke check is accomplished by moving the stick quickly on the ice to "poke" it off the attacker’s stick.
Power play: When one team has a one or two player advantage due to penalties on the other team, the team with advantage has a power play.
Pre-game warm-up: Before most games in adult recreational hockey there is a period known as the pre game. During the pre game, each team practices skating and shooting in its own end of the rink..
Puck: In ice hockey the puck is made of vulcanized rubber (one inch thick with a three inch diameter.) Pucks for inline can be balls or plastic objects with small wheels or bearings on the bottom. Blue pucks for young players weigh only four ounces.
Pulling the goaltender: When a team is behind by one goal they can gain a skater advantage by pulling the goaltender. The goalie skates to the bench after the puck enters the offensive zone and a skater (usually a wing or center) are added.