Filling out a Scoresheet

This page will show you how to properly fill out an ice hockey scoresheet. The purpose of the scoresheet is to be the official record of that game. The scoresheet is basically the only proof of if certain events happened, so try your best to be accurate.

This article tries to cover most common hockey scoresheets. Layouts vary from program to program, but all are pretty self explanatory.

NOTE: Most scoresheets have two additional sheets attached (colored yellow and pink), for the purposes of creating a carbon copy of anything written on the top (white) sheet. Please be sure you write with a pen (any color pen is fine), and write forcefully, so that all three copies are legible. In addition, if a coach chooses to use stickers for their roster, they should apply a a sticker to all three copies of the sheet.

GameSheet - Electronic Scoresheets
As of the 2021-2022 season, some leagues are transitioning to electronic scoresheets using GameSheet. I have not had a chance to write any tutorials for use of this system, so for now I'll defer to GameSheet's online documentation. I have, however, had a chance to use this system for several games and I think it's a well designed and rather intuitive system. It shouldn't be difficult for anyone familiar with paper scoresheets to get used to.

Layout
The Scoresheet will be divided into two sides, with boxes for information about each team. Generally, sheets are set up with the home team on the left, and the guest (sometimes called visitor or away) team on the right. In the rinks, this corresponds to the side of the bench that they're on relevant to you (as long as you've made sure the teams go to the right benches!).

Roster
In each team's area, there will be a spot for a team roster. The only thing you have to do is make the coaches of each team fill this spot out. NOTE: if the coaches use stickers for their rosters, and changes need to be made (like crossing absent players out) be sure that the changes are made on all three copies of the scoresheet

Goals
In each team area on the scoresheet will be a spot for you to fill out information for goals. Here is an example of how a goal would be marked: In this example, Goal #1 for a team (No. Column) was scored in Period 1 (Per. Column). The Time the goal happened was 6:47 (Time Column), and was scored by player 12 (2nd No. column) with assists from players 2 and 8. After each goal, one of the referees will skate over and tell you the numbers of who scored and assisted.

NOTE: The referees will not always give you two assists. They may say who scored and one assist, or say who scored, then "unassisted". If nobody assisted, leave the boxes blank.

Penalties
In each team area on the scoresheet will be a spot to mark any penalties that happen during the game. The NESC scoresheets have a simplified area, with only four columns. Here is an example for how to fill a penalty out on a NESC scoresheet. In this example, during period 2, player 62 entered the penalty box at 12:45 for tripping.

If a league has their own scoresheet (i.e. Valley Hockey League) The more common layout involves 8 columns instead of four. Here is an example: This penalty is the same as the first example. The column "per" is the period the penalty happened. The "no" column is the number of the player who committed the offense. the "serv" column is to be used if a different player on the team is serving the penalty (see rules page for more explanation). The PENALTY column is the name of the offence. The "Min." is the length of the penalty, in minutes. The "Off" is the time the player left the ice. The "start" time is the start of the penalty, which is almost always the same as the "Off" time. You can get away with leaving "start" blank. For explanation about different start times, see the rules page. The "On" Time is the end of the penalty.

Example of a Misconduct + Minor penalty on the 8 column sheet.
The Minor and Misconduct penalties go on different lines. For more information on Misconduct Penalties, see the rules page In this case, #71 had a Boarding penalty called on them, which in USA Hockey rules is an automatic misconduct. In Minor + Misconduct situations, a 2nd player from that team has to serve the minor (in this case, #10). The penalty started at 12:45, with the minor being served first. Once the penalty ended at 11:15, #10 gets to leave the box, while #71 starts serving his 8 minute (VHL Rules) Misconduct. While the Misconduct penalty ends at 3:15, #71 doesn't get to leave until the next stoppage of play, in this case the next whistle was at 3:02. For more information on Misconduct Penalties, see the rules page

If the scoresheet you are using does not have a "SERV" column to indicate who is serving the penalty, it's not necessary to indicate who served the penalty. Always indicate which player committed the penalty in the "No." column

Signatures
On the scoresheet, there will be boxes for the timekeeper, the referees, and the team coaches to sign. This varies widely by league, but is usually self-explanatory. On the NESC sheets, it's on the bottom right. On the Valley Hockey League Sheets, coaches sign under the roster, the officials sign under the game score in the center.

Game Info
At the top of the scoresheet is several boxes for information such as team names and colors, as well as the game time, league, division, and rink. All of this game information will generally be filled out by the front office, not you.

Other Misc. Info
Many types of scoresheets have an area to keep track of shots on goal for each team. For most games, you are not required to keep track of shots on goal, but you may do so if you'd like.

Some high-paying games/events (such as Junior-level showcases/tournaments) will require you to keep track of shots on goal. There will be clear instructions to do so when it is required. Simply defined, a shot on goal is any offensive shot that either would have been a goal if it weren't for the actions of the goalie or is a goal. "Shots" by the defensive team on their own net don't count, as well as shots that hit the posts/crossbar.

Don't worry about striving for perfect accuracy when keeping track of shots. It's ok if you miss a couple during the game, just try your best.

End of the game
The scoresheet has three layers. A white top layer, a yellow second layer, and a pink third layer. At the end of the game, tear the three layers apart with the perforated edges on the left side. Generally speaking, the top layer gets returned to the front desk or tournament table, while the colored copies go to the coaches of each team. However, there are exceptions, check the Game Rules page for specifics.

Tournaments
Tournaments run by external programs may have their own scoresheet layouts, however most scoresheet layouts are pretty self-explanatory. Ask the tournament staff if you are unsure about anything.

Specific Scoresheets by League/Program
New England Sports Center Standard (click for larger version):



Valley Hockey League (click for larger version):



Eastern Hockey Federation (click for larger version):



Eastern Minor Hockey League (click for larger version):



Beantown Classic (click for larger version):



Massachusetts Hockey State Championships (click for larger version):