Hockey Face-Off Question

The Game Room
1

In the second period of tonight’s Flyers-Blackhawks game, Chicago scored a goal immediately after a face-off with about 2:00 left in the period.

The player from Chicago tapped the ice with his stick very quickly, then raised his stick, then the referee dropped the puck.

I was under the impression that the visiting team was required to place their stick on the face-off “area” first, but also had to leave it there.

I looked up the rules, which state: “The sticks of both players facing-off shall have the blade on the ice, within the designated white area. The visiting player shall place his stick within the designated white area first followed immediately by the home player.” (link)

From my reading, it appears the visiting player’s stick should remain on the ice, as the home player is required to place their stick next… The announcers did not comment, so I am wondering if is it “legal” for a visiting player to tap the ice then remove their stick from the “area” before the puck is dropped?

2

Supposed to, doesn’t always happen. If the linesman sees it in time, he’ll hold onto the puck and kick the offending player out of the circle.

3

A hockey face-off is one of those sporting black holes where the rules are ignored, and victory goes to the better cheat.

4

To be glib, it’s playoff hockey.

5

Agreed. The wingers are also supposed to remain outside the face-off circles, but they constantly creep in.

6

Thanks, phungi. That was always one of those things that I never understood. A friend of mine asked me one time “why did the ref kick that guy out of the face off?” and I didn’t know (and was either too lazy or drunk to look it up).

Ignorance fought.