What happens when the puck goes over the glass?
I · Intermediate · Game flow · 3 of 13When the puck leaves the rink or hits the spectator netting, play stops and the face-off is taken near where it was shot. A defender who shoots the puck directly over the glass from their own zone gets a minor penalty for delay of game. Play also stops when the puck is frozen or out of sight.
How it works
- Out of play: over the boards or glass, into the netting or hitting objects above the ice.
- Face-off: at the nearest spot in the zone it was shot from, giving the offending team no ground.
- Over the glass from the defending zone: a minor penalty for delay of game if shot directly.
- No penalty: if deflected out, shot into a players' bench or directly off a face-off.
- On top of the boards: still in play.
- On the back of the net: may be played off it, but play stops after 3 seconds.
- Frozen or out of sight: the referee stops play.
- Off an official: play continues; a goal deflected directly in off an official does not count.
- Players keep playing: until the whistle.
The glossary has the puck out of bounds, the delay of game, the territorial advantage, the minor penalty, the referee and the video review.
Tricky cases
A clearing shot deflects off a stick and over the glass. Penalty?
No. Only a direct shot from the defending zone is penalised. Where the coach's challenge is used, this call can be challenged.
The puck lands on top of the boards and stays there. Is it dead?
No. It is in play and may be knocked off by hand or stick.
The puck hits the referee and sets up a goal. Does it count?
Yes, unless it went directly into the net off the official.
The puck goes out straight from a face-off. Penalty?
No. The face-off is retaken at the same spot.
Why the rule exists
Shooting the puck out to stop play would be an easy escape for a tired defence, so it carries a penalty. Face-offs near the spot keep stoppages from moving the play.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Out of bounds | Face-off near the shot | IIHF 85.1 |
| Over the glass | Minor if direct | IIHF 63.2 (III) |
| Challenge | Puck-over-glass penalties | IIHF 38.2 (IV) |
From the rule book
International Ice Hockey Federation, Official Rulebook 2026/27 (version 1.0, June 2026), Rules 38.2, 63.2 and 85. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IIHF Official Rulebook, revised each season.