skip navigation

Puck Out of Bounds or Unplayable

Situation 1

The puck is shot and gets lodged between the blade and the boot of a player’s skate. Should the play be allowed to continue or shall the Referee stop play?

The Referee shall stop play immediately. Rule Reference 631(a).

This situation is similar to the puck getting caught in a player’s equipment or clothing. In this situation, the puck is deemed to be unplayable.

Situation 2

A player in their defending zone attempts to pass the puck to a teammate in the neutral zone. The puck strikes an opponent who is seated on their players’ bench, completely off the playing area. Where is the ensuing face-off?

At the nearest face-off spot in the same zone from where the puck was shot. Rule References 631(a) and 612(b).

The player shooting the puck caused the stoppage of play, regardless of which bench the puck entered. The players’ benches are not part of the playing area.

Situation 3

A Team A player, in their attacking half of the Neutral Zone, shoots the puck so as to go over the Team B goal and directly leaves the rink. Where is the face-off?

At the nearest face-off spot in the same zone (provided no territorial advantage is gained) to where the puck was last played. Rule References 631(a) and 612(c).

Even though the shot was attempted on goal, the fact the puck directly left the rink without deflecting off of post, boards or glass would require the face-off to take place at the point of the shot. However, had the puck been shot from behind the center red line, icing would be called and the face-off would be held at a Defending Zone face-off spot of the offending team.

Situation 4

A Team A player, in the Neutral Zone but on their attacking side of the center red line, shoots the puck which deflects off Team B’s goal post and directly out of the rink. Where is the face-off held?

At the nearest end zone face-off spot in Team A’s attacking zone. Rule References 631(a) and 612(c).

Situation 5

The puck is shot by an attacking player in their Attacking Zone and it deflects directly off the top crossbar of the goal and leaves the playing area. Where is the ensuing face-off?

At the nearest End Zone face-off spot. Rule References 631(a) and 612(c).

Situation 6

The puck is shot from directly behind the goal and either goes through a hole in the netting or passes under the goal frame itself and continues out in front of the goal where it is played by a defending player. In this situation, should play be stopped?

Yes. Rule Reference 631(a).

Play must be stopped immediately when the puck goes under the goal frame or through the netting. The ensuing face-off would be held at the nearest end zone face-off spot, regardless of which team last played the puck behind the goal.

Situation 7

An attacking player in their attacking half of the Neutral Zone or in their attacking zone, shoots the puck so that it rebounds off the end boards onto the back of the defending team’s goal. The Referee stops play after a defending player is unable to play the puck off the netting within three seconds. Where is the ensuing face-off?

At the Neutral Zone face-off spot nearest to the point where the shot originated. Rule References 631(a) and 612(c).

The attacking player who shot the puck caused the stoppage of play.

Situation 8

An attacking player in their Attacking Zone shoots the puck so that it rebounds off the end boards onto the back of the defending team’s goal. The Referee stops play after players from either team are unable to play the puck off the netting within 3 seconds. Where is the ensuing face-off?

At the Neutral Zone face-off spot nearest to the point where the shot originated. Rule References 631(d) and 612(c).

The attacking player who shot the puck caused the stoppage of play.

Situation 9

An attacking player shoots the puck so that it rebounds off the end boards onto the back of the defending team’s goal. A defending player prevents an attacking player from playing the puck off the netting. The Referee stops play. Where is the ensuing face-off?

At the nearest end face-off spot of the defending team. Rule References 631(d) and 612(c).

Although the attacking player shot the puck onto the back of the goal and the stoppage of play was caused by the puck remaining on the back of the goal for more than three seconds, the action of the defending player prevented the attacking player from playing the puck. Therefore the ensuing face-off must take place in the Attacking Zone.