What is icing in hockey?

In ice hockey, icing is a rule infraction that occurs when a player shoots the puck from behind their own team's half of the center red line (or center circle in the NHL), and it travels to the opposing team's goal line without being touched by another player.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

• Definition: As mentioned above, the basic definition involves shooting the puck across the center red line and the opposing team's goal line without being touched. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Definition%20of%20Icing

• Purpose: The rule is designed to prevent teams from simply shooting the puck down the ice to gain a positional advantage or relieve pressure without having to battle for it. It encourages more strategic play and puck possession. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Purpose%20of%20Icing

• Procedure After Icing: When icing occurs, play is stopped, and a face-off takes place in the offending team's defensive zone. This gives the non-offending team a territorial advantage. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Procedure%20After%20Icing

• "No-Touch" Icing (Hybrid Icing): In many leagues (including the NHL), a variation called "hybrid icing" is used. With hybrid icing, a linesman determines which player could have reached the puck first. If it's a player from the team that iced the puck, icing is called. This aims to reduce dangerous collisions near the boards as players race to the puck. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Hybrid%20Icing

• Exceptions: There are several exceptions where icing will not be called:

  • Shorthanded: If the team shooting the puck is shorthanded (i.e., has fewer players on the ice due to a penalty), icing is waived. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Icing%20When%20Shorthanded
  • Power Play: There is no icing when a team is on the power play. https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Icing%20and%20Power%20Play
  • Opposing Player Could Have Played the Puck: If an opposing player could have played the puck before it crossed the goal line, but chose not to, icing is waived.
  • Goaltender Leaves Crease: If the opposing team's goaltender leaves their crease to play the puck, icing is waived.
  • Team Icing is Behind or Tied: If the team that ices the puck is behind in the score or the score is tied in the last two minutes of regulation time, it may be waived.