Once upon a time, Teena Dickerson endured months of hockey mania every year followed by endless weeks of playoff insanity while her husband sprawled out on the couch guzzling beer and shouting at the TV. Then she decided to change all that and become a devoted fan of this popular game.

The Girlfriend's Guide to Hockey demystifies the arcane language of hockey (such as butt-ending and chippy play), explains the rules and the rituals, and identifies the Stanley behind the championship Cup. It's all here: the teams, the players, the history and the trivia, written with clarity and humor. And there's the complete scoop on women's hockey, too.

With its simple, direct style and sprinkling of colorful anecdotes, this book is the perfect introduction for anyone new to the game and the traditions that accompany it.