Shorthanded in hockey terms refers to having one less skater on the ice during play. The one player removed from play is to serve a penalty in an off-ice box for a set amount of time, depending on the infraction. The opposing team is usually referred to as having an "advantage" until the penalized player returns to play. If the team with the advantage scores a goal while the other team is shorthanded, the penalty is over unless it was a major penalty.

See also: Powerplay