Rule 629. Puck Must Be Kept In Motion

1. The puck must at all times be kept in motion. Play shall not be stopped because the puck is frozen along the boards by two or more opposing players, unless a player falls on or is knocked down onto the puck. If one player freezes the puck along the boards or if a player deliberately falls on the puck a minor penalty for delaying the game shall be assessed under Rule 609(e) or Rule 612(a).

   Notwithstanding the above, the Referee may stop play along the boards if in his judgment allowing play to continue will lead to unnecessary contact surrounding the puck.

2. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player including the goalkeeper who holds, freezes or plays the puck with his stick, skates or body along the boards in such a manner as to cause a stoppage of play.

3. A player beyond his Defending Zone shall not pass nor carry the puck backward into his Defending Zone for the purpose of delaying the game except when his team is below the on-ice numerical strength of the opponents. For an infringement of this rule, the face-off shall be at the nearest end zone face-off spot in the Defending Zone of the offending team.