Ice hockey’s most famous call is the icing. This rule is unique to hockey and often confuses new fans who might not be familiar with the penalty. Here are some of the basics you need to know about icing so that you won’t get confused when it’s called during a game.

What is the Icing Rule in Hockey?

A penalty called during a NHL hockey match. It can result in a player being ejected from the game and often forces the match to be stopped completely while players of both teams scramble to gain control of the puck.

If a player shoots at the puck without his teammates’ touching the puck (a puck shot in the crease) the puck is considered a “dead puck” and the team does not lose possession of the puck. The puck is still in play, the other team cannot score and play continues.

If a player from the same team as the shooter tags up and touches the puck first, icing can be waived off. If a player from the opposite team touches it, they may be out of position and the call will stand.

When Did Icing Become an Official NHL Rule?

When the Montreal Canadiens played the Boston Bruins on March 13, 1939, the rule book said you could not ice the puck. It was changed on the next game.

No-Touch Icing

Sometimes a player skates towards their own end line, but they do not hit the end line immediately. Instead they skate into the opposing team’s end zone, and if the puck goes in the net, the game is over. This happens frequently with the rulebook written by the rule-makers who have ice hockey experience.

This rule is intended to make icing safer for everyone and will prevent injuries by eliminating the need for fights, which are more often than not the cause of injuries.

How is Icing Different from Offsides?

Icing is similar to offsides in hockey. These penalties slow entry into the offensive zone, improve defense and are caused by a player having a piece of the ice (either his stick or his skates). The penalty is called when one player is touching the other player’s side of the ice and the other player’s side of the ice is not legal for the player or team.

Who Calls Offsides on Icing?

There is also the penalty box, where the players sit when the rules say they should be sitting. The referee can also eject a player who’s done something unacceptable or dangerous. He can also award a penalty to the offending player, depending on how much time has passed since the infraction occurred.

The same applies for a goal scored by a player who does not touch the puck with any part of his hand. The goaltender will usually lift their glove. If the offending player does not reach the puck before the puck touches him, there is no infraction, and the goaltender will drop their glove.

What Happens After an Icing or Offsides in the National Hockey League?

ices are an interesting scenario. They are used to prevent “cross-ice passes”. ices are placed deep in your defensive zone forcing your opponent to take another pass to get to your blue line. The player on the ice with the puck (defensive zone) is also the first player to start the play. The player in the defensive zone usually places himself in the middle of the ice to make the puck available without too much movement.

Offside, the referee places the faceoff just in front of the hashmarks. Referees pick which faceoff dot is used based on where the original penalty took place.

When Can Hockey Teams Ice the Puck?

When you are shorthanded and on the penalty kill, you should ice the puck. This gives the opposing team a chance to break in between offensive cycles.

Often in the NHL, players are only required to play defense when they are “on the half-court,” i.e., when the team is on the power play. While on the power play, the defense is often the last line of defense with the goaltender and defensemen. During the power play, skaters can move to the defensive site, where they are not allowed to touch the puck, but can be more effective at blocking shots.

Conclusion About Icing in Hockey

In summation, ice hockey is a game where one team shoots the puck down the ice and passes their opponent’s red line. However, an exception is when one team is short a player because of a penalty that shortens the amount of time they have. In this case, the short-handed team can ice the puck to take time off the clock.

For example, the league has added “puck over the glass” rule as an effort to reduce injuries from breaking the glass or other breakable surfaces when a player is trying to shoot or dump the puck. The rule was voted in by the players in the 2014-2015 season. This is one of many ways the NHL has made a step to make the game safer for players.