What is icing in hockey?
How Icing Is Called
Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck from their own half of the ice (behind the center red line) all the way down past the opposing team's goal line. The puck must cross the goal line without being touched by any player.
In the NHL, icing is called when the puck crosses the goal line, but the linesman must determine that the defending team did not have a chance to play it. If the puck goes into the goal, it's a goal, not icing.
Exceptions and Hybrid Icing
There are exceptions: if a team is shorthanded (killing a penalty), icing is not called. Also, if the puck is shot directly off a faceoff, or if the defending team could have played it but chose not to, icing may be waved off.
The NHL uses 'hybrid icing,' where the linesman judges which team would reach the puck first. If the defending team is deemed to have a better chance, icing is called; otherwise, play continues.
- Shorthanded teams are exempt from icing.
- Icing is not called if the puck is touched by an opponent.
- Hybrid icing considers who would reach the puck first.
- Icing results in a faceoff in the offending team's defensive zone.
Consequences of Icing
When icing is called, play stops, and a faceoff is held in the defensive zone of the team that committed the infraction. The offending team cannot change lines during the stoppage.
In some leagues, like the NCAA, icing is called automatically when the puck crosses the goal line, without hybrid judgment. The penalty is the same: a faceoff in the offending team's zone.
Common mistakes
- Many think icing is called as soon as the puck crosses the center red line, but it must cross the opposing goal line.
- Some believe icing is always called, but shorthanded teams are exempt, and hybrid icing can wave it off.
- Others assume the offending team can change lines, but they cannot during an icing stoppage.
