Hockey is widely regarded as one of the fastest sports in the world and nobody really likes to see the flow of the game interrupted or delayed for any reason. This is why the NHL assesses a delay of game penalty when the puck is shot over the glass by the defending team either as a tactical move to relieve pressure or simply by accident.
In this article we’ll take a look at the NHL’s delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass and out of the playing surface.
What is the Puck Over the Glass Penalty?
The NHL deals with delay of game penalties under rule number 63 of its rulebook, with rule 63.3 (iii) dealing specifically with the penalty for shooting the puck over the glass.
It gives the referee the power to call a two-minute minor penalty on any player who directly bats or shoots the puck with his hand or stick over the glass and out of the playing surface when he is inside of his own defensive zone.
If the puck is deflected on the way out of the playing surface or leaves the surface in an area where there is no protective glass a penalty isn’t called. Also the penalty is only called when the player is inside of his own blue line.
This is basically what is known as the puck-over-the-glass penalty and it’s a black and white rule with no gray area as the puck was either knocked out of the playing surface or it wasn’t.
Here is an example of the puck-over-the-glass penalty (delay of game) where Mitch Marner shot the puck over the glass during the playoffs to get a delay of game penalty that caused the Maple Leafs to be shorthanded for 2 minutes:
However, if the puck leaves the ice surface and goes over the glass on a faceoff in the defensive zone, a penalty isn’t called.
The penalty can also be called when a player deliberately bats or shoots the puck outside of the playing surface from any location on the ice. This includes when the puck is in play and even after the play has been whistled dead by an official.
There is a lot more to the “Delaying the Game” rule in the NHL rulebook; you can see my related post “NHL Delay of Game Rule (The Ultimate Guide)” here to learn all about the rule.
Where is the ‘Defending Zone’?
In hockey, the “defensive zone” or “defending zone” refers to the third of the rink closest to a team’s own goaltender. This is located behind the blueline in your own end of the rink.
This changes after each period as your goalie switches sides after each intermission.
When Did the Puck Over the Glass Become A Penalty?
The NHL introduced a delay of game penalty for shooting or batting the puck over the glass as
well as several other new rules in the 2005/06 season.
Is this Rule Different in Other Hockey Leagues?
Most other major hockey leagues such as the professional American Hockey League (AHL) and junior Ontario Hockey League (OHL) etc have also implemented the puck-over-the-glass rule.
Recreational leagues and younger age groups often do not have this penalty/rule implemented.
Should the NHL Change the Puck Over the Glass Rule?
The league brought in the rule as a way to speed up the game, force the defenders to make skilled plays when exiting the zone and to help create more offense. However, most penalties for this infraction are accidental in nature as the player didn’t intentionally send the puck out of the playing surface.
The automatic penalty for doing so has decided the outcome of playoff games and series when the offending team has surrendered a game or series-winning power-play goal. Some fans would like to see the rule altered and a penalty given out only when a player is deemed to have intentionally shot the puck over the glass, not for obvious accidental incidents.
Of course, this will lead to referees having to make judgmental calls regarding the play, but they are already making judgmental calls when it comes to other infractions such as charging, interference, and tripping etc.
Players shooting the puck into the stands as a way of relieving pressure wasn’t really a big issue before the rule was brought in, and it’s doubtful the league will see a noticeable increase of infractions if the rule is changed slightly.
On the other side of the coin, if the defending team isn’t worried about receiving a penalty for dumping the puck over the glass it could invariably lead to more infractions. Also, while some fans feel a player shouldn’t be penalized for accidentally shooting the puck over the glass they need to realize that players can be penalized for a variety of accidental infractions such as high-sticking, tripping, and kneeing etc.
Should it Be Treated Like an Icing?
Shooting or batting the puck over the glass shouldn’t be treated like icing with a faceoff in the defensive zone as it could lead to defensive players simply knocking the puck out of play on purpose when their team is under pressure.
The last thing the NHL wants to see is pucks flying head-high on the playing surface as a defensive tactic, as it could lead to serious injuries on the ice and in the stands.
Questions You May Have About this Rule:
What happens when the puck goes out during a face-off?
If the puck should happen to fly over the glass during a faceoff there is no penalty called and
the faceoff is retaken from the same circle.
Does the rule not apply when shot into the bench?
If the puck is batted or shot into one of the players’ benches the play won’t result in a penalty.
What happens if you shoot it over the glass behind the bench?
If the puck is batted or shot out of play and over the protective glass behind either of the
players’ benches it will result in a minor penalty.
Does intent matter for the ‘Puck Over the Glass’ penalty?
When it comes to the NHL’s puck-over-the-glass rule, intent doesn’t matter. The majority of penalties handed out for breaking this rule are the result of players accidentally batting or shooting the puck out of the playing surface.
Is shooting the puck over the glass a re-viewable play?
There are several re-viewable plays in the NHL but shooting the puck over the glass isn’t one of them.
If there is any question regarding an incident of the puck being sent out of the playing surface, the four-on-ice officials will get together and discuss the play to determine if the puck was shot or batted directly out of play or if it was deflected on the way over the glass. If the puck was deflected there is no penalty.
Perhaps the NHL should make it a re-viewable play however as the officials sometimes take several minutes debating or confirming the incident when it could be settled in a matter of seconds by simply reviewing the play via video replay.
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.