Icing whistled in error? The face-off goes to center ice
Rule numbers: USAH 624(c)
Sometimes the whistle goes for icing and the crew then realizes it was wrong: the puck was touched, or a defender could have played it and chose not to. Under 2025-29 Rule 624(c) the face-off then goes to the center-ice spot, regardless of whether either team was shorthanded or where the puck was when play stopped. The change summary lists this as a 2025-29 change from the old end-zone answer. Neither team caused the mistaken stoppage, so the restart is neutral. Do not confuse it with a mistaken offside whistle: under 630(e) that face-off goes to the neutral-zone spot nearest where play was stopped.
If the Officials shall have erred in calling an “icing the puck” infraction (regardless of whether either team is short-handed) a face-off shall occur at the center ice face-off spot.
- On the ice
- Face-off at the center-ice spot.
Example
The front linesperson blows the whistle as the puck crosses the goal line, then learns that a Team B forward deflected it at center. Play was stopped in error, so the face-off is at center ice (casebook 624 Situation 24).
Common mistake: Dropping the puck in an end zone, as if the icing had been correct or under the 2021-25 answer.
Sources
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Rule 624(c), p. 197 (PDF p. 231)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Rule 630(e), p. 203 (PDF p. 237)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Casebook Rule 624 Situation 24, p. 289 (PDF p. 323)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Rule Change Summary, Rule 624(c)
Verified