n. — Hockey
a very precise shot in hockey involving mainly wrist muscles to hit the puck (see Video).
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — A wrist shot is a shot that is very accurate. When a wrist shot is performed close to the net, it is very difficult for the goalie to predict its direction and therefore it has a good chance of being successful (Haché 2002: 90). This shot might not be as fast as some other types of shots in hockey, such as the slapshot or especially the one-timer, but it affords the player great control. It is one of the basic shots in hockey (see the 1875 and 1904 quotations). The term itself is prevalent in Canada, with the figures being much higher than in other countries (see Chart 1). Like other hockey terms, Cultural Significance outweighs the Frequency argument.
See also: hockey slapshot (meaning 1) one-timer backhander
- 1875  Verhaeghe got his second goal early in the third period, tipping in a drive from the slot. Jessons connected for the visitors when his wrist shot eluded the outstretched glove of Jeff Simpson. 
- 1904  The ice was very keen and play was of the fastest description. Smith's Falls scored the first goal on a beautiful wrist shot by McDonald who played brilliantly throughout. Perth forwards then got together and scored three goals before half-time by fine combination work. 
- 1932  The Nationals steadied and went down quickly, three abreast, twice. Knowles rushed to the Toronto defense and McMullen got the puck. Darting back up the ice and swinging through to Gordon Hacquoil, he beat the goalkeeper wih a wrist shot as he cut across the front of the cage. 
- 1956  Geoffrion made it 4-1 in the third period on a passing relay from Beliveau-to-Olmstead-to-Geoffrion. The Boomer was in the clear from Leafs' blue-line in, and he beat Chadwick with a wrist shot instead of his famed slapper. 
- 1960  "Beliveau is a big, strong classy player and Bathgate, although having a poor season for goals as against last season, gives me plenty of trouble. Horvath gets a goalie off stride and lets go with a quick wrist shot to the corners." 
- 1985  Quinn passed across to McDonald, who was cruising in on the right side, and McDonald's quick wrist shot cleanly beat Winnipeg goaltender Brian Hayward. 
- 2011  Kesler had some patented speed rushes where he unleashed his world-class wrist shot, but each one found Thomas's equipment. 
- 2016  Brown wired a wrist shot from a few feet inside the blue line past Longueuil netminder Vincent Gervais 1:32 into extra time while the Slammers were on the man advantage. 
Images:
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 27 Apr. 2015