Hi, I'd like to play ice hockey. Can you explain how the game works?

Sure ! Ice hockey is a fast - p ac ed team sport played on ice . The objective of the game is to score goals by shooting a small , hard pu ck into the oppos ing team ' s net . \n \n Each team has six players on the ice at a time , including the go alt ender . The players are divided into for wards , def ens emen , and two types of special ized players called w ingers . For wards are responsible for scoring goals and have the most off ensive skills . Def ens emen are responsible for protect ing their team ' s net and for starting off ensive plays . W ingers are special ized for wards who play on the wings and are known for their speed and shooting ability . \n \n The game is divided into three periods , each last ing 2 0 minutes . At the end of each period , the teams switch sides of the ice . The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins . \n \n I ce hockey is a phys ically demand ing sport that requires sk ating , stick hand ling , and passing skills . It is also a strateg ic game , with players position ing themselves and their team m ates to gain an advantage on the ice . </s>