English

A face off in ice hockey.

Noun

face off ‎(plural face offs)

1. (sports, chiefly ice hockey) The starting point, in a match of ice hockey. Two players face each other, for snatching the puck.
2. Either an actual or a figurative face to face confrontation, especially a bitter one.
   • 2009 March 12, “Jim Cramer On "Daily Show": Jon Stewart Hits Hard”, in HuffingtonPost/AP:

     Jon Stewart hammered Jim Cramer and his network, CNBC, in their anticipated face-off on "The Daily Show."

References

• definition. The Free Dictionary

Verb

to face off ‎(phrasal verb)

1. (intransitive) To confront (each other).
   • 2009 February 22, Ruaridh Nicoll, “Behind the demise”, in The Observer:

     When Bank of Scotland and RBS faced off in that epic battle for NatWest ...