Rule 621. Interference

1. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck, or who deliberately knocks a stick out of an opponent's hand or who prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it or who knock or shoots any abandoned or broken stick or illegal puck or other debris towards an opposing puck carrier in a manner that could cause him to be distracted. (See also Rule 636, Throwing Stick.)

   (Note) The last player to touch the puck, other than a goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. In interpreting this rule the Referee should make sure which of the players is the one creating the interference. Often it is the action and movement of the attacking player which causes the interference since the defending players are entitled to ``stand their ground'' or ``shadow'' the attacking player. Players of the side in possession shall not be allowed to ``run'' deliberate interference for the puck carrier.

2. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player on the players' bench or on the penalty bench who by means of his stick or his body interferes with the movements of the puck or of any opponent on the ice during the progress of play.

3. A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who, by means of his stick or his body, interferes with or impedes the movements of the goalkeeper by actual physical contact, while he is in his goal crease unless the puck is already in the crease.

4. When the puck is in the Attacking Zone and not in the goal crease, a player of the attacking team may not stand on the goal crease line or in the goal crease, hold his stick in the goal crease or skate through the goal crease. If the puck should enter the goal while such a condition prevails, a goal shall not be allowed. For violation of this rule, while the attacking team has possession of the puck, play shall be stopped and a face-off held at the nearest Neutral Zone face-off spot.

   (Note) This rule shall not apply when the goalkeeper is out of his goal crease.

5. If a player of the attacking team has been physically interfered with by the action of any defending player so as to cause him to be in the goal crease, and the puck should enter the goal while the player so interfered with is still within the goal crease, the ``goal'' shall be allowed.

6. When a player in control of the puck on the opponent's side of the center red line, and having no opponent to pass other than the goalkeeper, is interfered with by a stick or part thereof or any other object thrown or shot by any member of the defending team including any Team Official, a penalty shot/optional minor shall be awarded to the non-offending team.

   (Note) The attention of Referees is directed particularly to three types of offensive interference which should be penalized:

   1. When the defending team secures possession of the puck in its own end and the other players of that team run interference for the puck carrier by forming a protective screen against forecheckers;

   2. When a player facing-off obstructs his opponent after the face-off when the opponent is not in possession of the puck;

   3. When the puck carrier makes a drop pass and follows through so as to make bodily contact with an opposing player.

   Defensive interference consists of bodily contact with an opposing player who is not in possession of the puck.