Definition of the word power play

The term "power play" first emerged in ice hockey in the 1930s to describe a situation where a team is granted a man-advantage or numerical superiority due to an opposing team's penalty. The origin of the word "power play" stems from the idea that this advantage gives the team with more players on the ice a greater degree of power or control over the game's outcome. In hockey, a power play is signaled by the referee and can last for two minutes, giving the team with the advantage a greater opportunity to score a goal. The term has since expanded to other sports, including field hockey, rugby league, and American football, to denote a similar advantageous situation.