Refereeing Ice Hockey: What is the Icing Call?

Icing is a situation that occurs frequently in the game of ice hockey. To put it simply, the ice is divided into two parts by the center red line. If a team shoots the puck from their defending half of the ice past the other teams goal line, and they are at full strength, then icing will be called. Icing is unlike some other ice hockey calls, as it is not a penalty, but instead is simply a face off in the offending team's zone. The rule is in place so that teams must use strategic passes in an effort to enter the opposing teams zone, rather then simply firing the puck from anywhere on the ice.

Icing occurs in ice hockey any time a player on one of the teams shoots, deflects, kicks, or by some other means makes the puck travel from behind the center red line down past the opposing teams goal line. If the puck is touching the red line at any part, then the icing rule is not in effect and it is considered a legal dump in. The puck must also completely cross the goal line in order for icing to be called.

There are different rules pertaining to how icing is called in various leagues. For the most part, the immediate whistle rule is used. Under this rule, the whistle is blown as soon as the puck crosses the line. Another method is the delayed touch up rule, which makes a defending player touch the puck after it has crossed the red line in order for it to qualify as icing. The majority of leagues use the immediate whistle method because it helps prevent injuries from body checks that can happen if a player is forced to touch the puck before the whistle is blown for icing.

If a team is shorthanded, meaning that they have a penalty and do not have all five players out on the ice, then they are legally allowed to ice the puck. This means that in an effort to clear their defensive zone, they can just shoot the puck out from anywhere on the ice without having to worry about icing.

Sources:

USA Hockey
Carbon Hockey Sticks