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blueline

blueline

1 7.3
A blue line on a hockey rink that marks zone limits and helps judge offside
  • noun
  • /ˈbluːlaɪn/
  • Jargon
translation icon : línea azul
  • He was also able to help raise fellow youngster Jason Demers' game to a greater extent than anyone else on the team's blueline in what was a difficult year for Demers in 2011-12.

Examples

  • And while it will be a daunting task whipping this young group into shape, there is no doubt that when you look up and down MSU's roster, the 2012-13 version of Spartan hockey, although inexperienced, especially on the blueline, will be a bigger, stronger, and more talented group.

    Blog text (16)
  • Back on the blueline, the Wildcats return their entire defense corps from a year ago, including CJ Ludwig, son of NHL veteran Craig and the winner of NMU's top defenseman award a year ago.

    Blog text (22)
  • Let's hope he does because that need for more offense from the blueline remains.

    Blog text (19)
  • But I do think from a physical standpoint, we are significantly bigger back there (on the blueline), and that will be an added dimension to our team, but probably not as much as it will someday when we adapt to the rest of the game.

    Blog text (16)
  • "If they're going to give me the green light to jump up into plays, then I think they do expect to have some (more) scoring because losing Tory Krug on the blueline is like losing a really good forward."

    Blog text (16)
  • Nicklas Backstrom is every bit the threat that the scouts insisted he was. Alexander Semin is finally healthy, and Mike Green has become a sharpshooter from the blueline.

    Blog text (14)
  • Fortunately, given a fully healthy blueline, the Sharks won't be counting on Murray to be more than a 6th defenseman at best after a season in which the hulking Swedish blueliner was a boat anchor to almost every d-man he was paired with.

    Blog text (28)
  • The player skated past the blueline to create an opportunity for a breakaway goal.

  • To avoid an offside call, he made sure to stay behind the blueline as his teammates moved forward.

  • After crossing the blueline, the defenseman launched a powerful shot towards the goal.

Surface Forms

blueline singular
bluelines plural

Morphology

blueline = blue + line (semi-transparent) = blue + line

Formally a 'blue' + 'line' compound, but the specific hockey rule function (zone boundary/offside judging) is a specialized sense not fully predictable from the components.

Etymology

Blueline in hockey is named for the actual blue-painted line on the ice that divides defensive, neutral, and attacking zones and helps people judge offside. So the blueline is literally a blue line that marks an important zone on the rink.