Puck accidentally out of play: the face-off stays in that zone
Rule numbers: USAH 631(d) USAH 612(c)
In 2025-29, an accidental shot or deflection that leaves the playing area or lands on top of the net brings a last-play face-off in the zone the puck came from. So an attacking-zone shot that a defender blocks over the glass stays in the attacking zone, and a defender's pass that deflects off an attacker and out stays in the defending zone. Rule 612(c) still sends other stoppages caused by the attacking team in its attacking zone to the neutral zone, but only 'unless otherwise covered', and 631(d) is one of those rules. Deliberately shooting or batting the puck out of the playing area is still a delay-of-game minor under 610(c).
If the puck is accidentally shot or deflected out of play, or onto the goal netting, a last play face-off will occur in the zone where the puck was shot or the deflection occurred.
- On the ice
- Face-off at the nearest end-zone spot in the zone the shot or deflection came from.
Example
A Team A forward shoots from the slot. The puck hits a Team B defender's shin pad and flies into the netting above the glass. The face-off is at the nearest end-zone spot in Team A's attacking zone (casebook 631 Situation 2).
Common mistake: Moving the face-off to the neutral zone automatically because an attacking player shot the puck, which was the 2021-25 habit.
Sources
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Rule 631(d), p. 203 (PDF p. 237)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Rule 612(c), p. 186 (PDF p. 220)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey, Casebook Rule 631 Situations 2-3, p. 317 (PDF p. 351)
- USA Hockey 2025-29 Rule Change Summary, Rule 631(d)
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