penalty killer

noun

, Ice Hockey.

1. a player used when the player's team is short-handed as a result of a penalty, especially a player skilled at defense and employed regularly in such situations.

penalty killer

noun

1. ice hockey a good player who, when his team is short-handed because of a penalty, is sent onto the ice to prevent the other side from scoring

Word History and Origins

Origin of penalty killer¹

First recorded in 1960–65