Icing Question (hockey newb)

[Cod]

So I've been watching a fair amount of hockey this season (first time) and have a question about icing. The way I understand the rule, when a team is shorthanded, they are allowed to ice the puck. However, when an opposing team pulls their goalie, the shorthanded team CANNOT ice the puck.

Why is the rule different for the shorthanded team if they're not on a penalty kill?

[Cod]

Wait, is it because both teams are technically at full strength (6v6)?

[Majingir]

The rule is that it's icing if the opposition pulls the goalie. Basically done so that the other team doesn't just fire the puck down the ice/hoping to score empty netter from other end of the rink and having no repercussions if they happen to miss. And like you said, it's still in a way even strength since it's 6v6, except that one sides 6th man is a skater and not a goalie.



Also, these types of questions can go in the NHL Off Topic thread.

[Cod]

Oh, I didn't realize that thread was up there. Noted...

Thanks!

[kehlis]

Wait, is this an international rule? I'm not familiar with a rule that doesn't allow for a shorthanded team to ice the puck even if the goalie is pulled.

Am I just naive to rule that's always been in place? I did look around a little bit but can't seem to find a provision to the rule that would make that illegal.

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cod

Why is the rule different for the shorthanded team if they're not on a penalty kill?

Wait, the way I read this, are you saying there was no penalty? In that case even though one team has one more skater on the ice the opposing team is not shorthanded. So if you're talking about teams still in a 6v6 situation but one team has 6 skaters and the other team has 5 that is not a shorthanded situation.

[pietasterp]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cod

Wait, is it because both teams are technically at full strength (6v6)?

I think you nailed it yourself. The easiest way to think about it is a team can only ice the puck without penalty if they are short-handed (have one or more fewer player(s) on the ice than the opposing team due to penalty).