(Ice) hockey: A play in which a lone attacker, having eluded the opposition's defenders, skates in alone on the defending goaltender with a chance to score a goal. The speed and skill of the play, as well as the one-on-one challenge, make this a very exciting event for fans and players alike.
The breakaway can be recreated somewhat artificially by the penalty shot, if the player on the breakaway is hauled down illegally (hooked or tripped) from behind.