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Ice Hockey · Glossary

What is Icing?

A stoppage called when a team shoots the puck from behind centre ice and it crosses the opponent’s goal line without being touched.

Icing is called when a team shoots the puck from behind the centre red line and it crosses the opponent’s goal line without being touched (in NHL-standard no-touch icing). Play stops and the puck is brought back for a face-off in the offending team’s defensive zone. Teams use icing strategically when under pressure to briefly stop play and change lines. A team killing a penalty cannot be called for icing.

Key points
  • Puck shot from behind centre, crosses goal line untouched
  • Face-off back in offending team’s zone
  • Used strategically to make a line change
  • Penalty kill teams are exempt

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