An icing penalty in hockey refers to a violation that occurs when a player shoots/passes the puck from behind their team’s defensive blue line all the way across the opposing team’s goal line without any player on the opposing team touching it. Here are 5 facts about icing penalties in hockey:
1. Definition: A player commits an icing penalty when they send the puck across the goal line of the opposing team without any players of the opposing team touching it before it crosses the line.
2. Intent: Icing penalties are intended to discourage teams from simply shooting or dumping the puck into the opponent’s zone without any strategic purpose, which could result in a slower and less entertaining game.
3. Faceoff Location: When an icing penalty occurs, the faceoff is brought back into the defending team’s zone, closest to the spot from where the puck was shot.
4. Exceptions: There are a few exceptions to icing penalties, such as when a team is shorthanded due to a penalty or when the goalie leaves their crease to play the puck.
5. No Line Change: The team that commits an icing penalty is not allowed to make any line changes before the subsequent faceoff, which can put them at a disadvantage if their players are tired or out of position.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. Can a team still score a goal during an icing penalty?
A1. No, icing results in a stoppage of play, preventing any goal from being scored.
Q2. How can a team avoid an icing penalty?
A2. Teams can avoid icing by either carrying the puck across the opposing team’s blue line or by making a pass that is received and touched by an opponent before it crosses the goal line.
Q3. What if there is a potential race for the puck during an icing?
A3. In some situations, officials may call off the icing if they determine that a defending player had a reasonable chance of reaching the puck first.
Q4. Can teams still make line changes during an icing if they call a timeout?
A4. Yes, teams are allowed to make line changes during an icing if they exercise their right to call a timeout.
Q5. Are there any penalties associated with icing besides the faceoff?
A5. No, the only consequence of an icing penalty is the resulting faceoff in the defending team’s zone.
Q6. Can an icing penalty be called during a power play?
A6. No, if a team commits an icing penalty while they are shorthanded, the play is not stopped, and the opposing team continues to play.
Q7. Are there any differences in icing rules between different hockey leagues?
A7. There might be slight variations in icing rules across different leagues, but the basic concept remains the same.
BOTTOM LINE: An icing penalty in hockey occurs when a player shoots/passes the puck from their defensive zone across the opponent’s goal line without any opposing player touching it. It results in a faceoff in the defending team’s zone and restricts the offending team from making line changes.
