In the world of hockey, the “Biscuit” is simply a playful, classic piece of slang for the puck.
It’s one of the most common terms you’ll hear in a locker room or from a color commentator during a broadcast. The nickname likely comes from the puck’s physical appearance: a flat, round, black disc that vaguely resembles a burnt or chocolate biscuit.
1. Common Phrases
You’ll rarely hear the word “biscuit” on its own; it’s almost always part of these two iconic hockey idioms:
- “Put the biscuit in the basket”: This means to score a goal. The “basket” refers to the net.
- “Biscuit in the breadbasket”: This refers to a shot that goes straight into the goaltender’s stomach or chest protector (the “breadbasket”), resulting in an easy save with no rebound.
2. Physical Characteristics of the “Biscuit”
While the name sounds soft, the actual object is anything but. To understand why it’s such a focal point of the game, here are the standard specs:
| Feature | Standard Regulation |
| Material | Vulcanized rubber |
| Weight | Between 5.5 and 6 ounces (156 to $170 grams) |
| Diameter | 3 inches (7.6 cm) |
| Thickness | 1 inch (2.5 cm) |
3. Fun Fact: The Frozen Biscuit
Before a game, the “biscuits” are kept in a freezer (usually at a temperature around -10°C to -8°C).
Officials do this to reduce the rubber’s elasticity. A room-temperature puck is bouncy and prone to “fluttering” or hopping over players’ sticks. A frozen puck slides more smoothly and predictably on the ice surface, making for a cleaner game.
4. Related Slang
If you’re looking to expand your hockey vocabulary beyond the biscuit, here are a few related terms:
- Apple: An assist.
- Chiclets: Teeth (or lack thereof).
- Twig: A hockey stick.
- Sauce: A “saucer pass,” where the puck is flicked into the air so it clears an opponent’s stick before landing flat on the ice.