Hockey Icing Rule Explained
Hockey Icing Rule
Icing is a penalty in hockey that is called on a player who shoots, hits, or deflects the puck from his team's side of the ice to the goal line on the opposing team's side of the ice without it being touched by a player on the opposing team.
The red line is used to divide the ice into two equal halves. Icing is called if a player hits the puck from one side of the red line to the goal line on the other side of the ice, without the puck being touched by an opposing player.
A referee will use the spot on the ice where the player hit the puck to determine if icing should be called.
Icing should be called if the puck is hit from one side of the red line to the goal line without a player on the other team touching it. But, if the skater has his stick touching the red line icing will not be called. This is called gaining the line. In this case, the line is the red line.
Icing FAQ
What is icing in hockey?
Icing is an infraction in hockey that is called on a team that hits the puck from one half of the red line to the goal line on the other side of the ice without it being touched by a player on the opposing team. When icing is called, a face-off is used to put the puck back into play.
Can icing be called on a power play in hockey?
Yes, icing is called on power plays, but only for the team that is on the power play. However, icing is never called on the team that has less than five skaters. When a team has fewer than five skaters it is called being short-handed.
Is icing called on a deflection?
Icing is not called if the puck is deflected off multiple players including a player on the other team.
Is icing called on face-offs?
No, icing is never called on a face-off.
Where does the face-off happen after icing is called in hockey?
When icing is called on a team, a face-off is used to put the puck back into play. The face-off will occur in the offending team's defensive zone. The other team gets the choice as to which face-off circle to have the face-off in.
When was the icing rule introduced to NHL hockey?
The icing rule was introduced in the NHL in September, 1937 after it was being used as a strategy to waste time on the game clock.
How does icing work in youth hockey?
A simplified version of the icing rule is used in youth hockey that states that icing is called when the puck crosses the goal line on the opposite side of the ice without being touched.
What happens if the goalkeeper touches the puck?
Icing will not be called if the puck touches any part of the goalkeeper before it crosses the goal line.
What happens if a player chooses not to play the puck?
Icing is not called if a defensive player is capable of playing the puck but chooses not to. It is icing if a player on the opposing team touches the puck before it crosses the goal line.