faceoff
Puck drop moment
A faceoff is a direct confrontation between opposing sides.
In hockey, it's the method of starting play—two players face each other while an official drops the puck between them.
The term extends to any showdown or competitive clash: Tonight's debate is a faceoff between the two frontrunners.
Also spelled face-off.
Hockey's rubber projectile
- refereeSports rule enforcer
- linesmanSideline sports official
- rinkEnclosed skating surface
- skatesWheeled or bladed footwear
draw · centerman · winger · goaltender · icing · offside · slapshot · boards
Scheduled competitive pairing
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- contestOrganized competitive event
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- challengeTest of ability
tournament · playoffs · versus · opponent · competitor · head-to-head · battle · match
Violent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
rivalry · tension · opposition · antagonism · hostility · friction · argument · quarrel
Situation without resolution
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
Decisive final confrontation
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- culminationHighest or final point
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
puck
Hockey's rubber projectile
skates · draw · centerman · winger · goaltender · icing · offside · slapshot · boards
matchup
Scheduled competitive pairing
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- contestOrganized competitive event
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
challenge · tournament · playoffs · versus · opponent · competitor · head-to-head · battle · match · bout
clash
Violent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
standoff · rivalry · tension · opposition · antagonism · hostility · friction · argument · quarrel · feud
impasse
Situation without resolution
showdown
Decisive final confrontation
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- culminationHighest or final point
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- hockey termsman advantage, penalty kill, shorthanded, special teams, offensive zone
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- hockeypuck, hockey, ice hockey, pucks, field hockey
- clashesconflict, confrontation, collision, fight, battle
- dramatic momentsclimax, finale, showdown, confrontation, revelation
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, tough
faceofftruce
Agreed halt to hostilities
peace · reconciliation · agreement · harmony · accord
faceoffretreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
withdrawal · avoidance · disengagement · evasion · flight
faceoffcollaboration
Joint intellectual work
cooperation · partnership · alliance · teamwork · joint venture