Icing in NHL hockey refers to a rule violation that occurs when a player shoots the puck from behind the center red line and it crosses the opposing team’s goal line without being touched by an opposing player. Here are five facts about icing in NHL hockey:
1. Purpose of the Rule: The icing rule in NHL hockey is primarily in place to prevent players from simply shooting the puck down the ice to relieve pressure from their defensive zone. It adds an element of fairness and encourages teams to make plays rather than resorting to an easy way out.
2. The Icing Call: When icing occurs, the play is stopped, and a faceoff takes place in the defending team’s zone. The opposing team is awarded the faceoff in the defending zone, giving them an advantageous position to potentially score.
3. Exceptions to the Rule: The NHL has implemented a few exceptions to the icing rule to prevent potentially dangerous situations. If the team shooting the puck is short-handed (penalty kill) or the goaltender leaves their crease to play the puck, icing may be waived off.
4. Hybrid Icing: To increase player safety, the NHL adopted hybrid icing in the 2013-2014 season. This modified rule allows the linesman to determine if the defending player would have won the race to the puck. If this is the case, the icing is called and play is stopped.
5. No Icing on Power Plays: During power plays, the team that is shorthanded cannot be called for icing. This encourages the shorthanded team to be aggressive and prevent the opposing team from comfortably setting up their play.
FAQs about icing in NHL hockey:
1. Can the team that committed the icing call a timeout after the icing?
No, teams that commit icing are not allowed to call timeout immediately after the whistle. This rule prevents teams from taking advantage of icing stoppages to rest their players.
2. Can a team score a goal directly off an icing?
No, a team cannot score a goal directly off an icing. After an icing call, a faceoff occurs in the defending team’s zone, and the team that committed the icing cannot change their players until after the faceoff.
3. Can a goaltender leave the crease to play the puck during an icing situation?
Yes, goaltenders are allowed to leave their crease and play the puck during an icing situation. If they touch the puck, the icing call is waived off, and play continues without a stoppage.
4. Do referees analyze each icing call to ensure it was accurate?
No, referees typically make icing calls based on their judgment in real-time. Due to the fast-paced nature of the game, they may occasionally make errors or miss an icing call.
5. Can icing be waved off if an opposing player interferes with the offensive player’s ability to reach the puck?
No, icing cannot be waved off if an opposing player interferes with the offensive player’s ability to reach the puck. The hybrid icing rule allows the linesman to make a judgment call regarding the race to the puck, not interference.
6. Can the team that committed icing change their players during the faceoff?
No, the team that committed icing cannot change their players during the faceoff. This rule forces the team to face the consequences of the icing call and potentially defend in a fatigued state.
7. What happens if a player commits an intentional icing?
If a player commits an intentional icing, play is stopped, and a faceoff occurs in the defending team’s zone. However, the player who committed the icing may face additional disciplinary action from their coach or team management due to the intentional nature of the violation.
BOTTOM LINE:
Icing is a rule in NHL hockey that prohibits players from shooting the puck from behind the center red line and having it cross the opposing team’s goal line without being touched by an opposing player. The rule aims to ensure fairness and encourage teams to make plays rather than simply relieving pressure by shooting the puck down the ice. Exceptions and modifications have been made to ensure player safety and create more opportunities for exciting gameplay.
