Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Interpretation 2006 through 2013

Date Subject Interpretation 2006-2008 Attacking Players in The goal crease is, first and foremost, the goalkeeper’s area. The previous Goal Crease. alteration to allow attacking players in the goal crease when a goal is scored was not intended to allow interference with the goalkeeper. Therefore, attacking players are not allowed to enter the goal crease and disrupt the goalkeeper from playing the position (e.g., screening, minor contact). Officials have the option of stopping play and conducting a neutral zone faceoff or calling an interference penalty. November Contact to the Head and A player shall not make contact with an opposing player’s head or neck area in any 16, 2009 Blindside Hits. manner. Officials will use a zero tolerance policy in this area. February 25, Players Abstain from Question: Team A player contacts the puck with a high stick/bats the puck with an 2010 Playing a Puck when a open hand in the Team A attacking zone. Another Team A player elects not to play Hand Pass or High Stick the puck to avoid the stoppage of play, and the opposing team also abstains from Violation Occurs. playing the puck. Interpretation: The referee shall stop play and order the resulting faceoff at one of the faceoff spots in the offending teams defending zone. January 1, Helmet Brackets (“J- All players must wear a HECC-approved hockey helmet and facemask. To be 2010 Clips”) approved all mounting hardware of the facemask must be in place, including the "J-Clip". If the "J-Clip" is removed or altered, this may void the HECC Certification and therefore be illegal under NCAA Ice Hockey Rules. October 1, Icing guidelines Question 1: Does the linesman have to wait until the attacking team reaches the 2010 end zone faceoff dot to signal no icing? Interpretation 1: If it is blatantly obvious that the attacking team will be the first team to reach the puck the linesman may waive icing prior to the play reaching the end zone dot.

Question 2: In late game situations when the puck is in an icing situation does the defending team have to skate to the dot in their defensive zone in order for the linesmen to signal icing or, is it permissible for the linesman to signal icing immediately since it is obvious the non-offending team will be the first player to get to the puck? Interpretation 2: To ensure game and clock consistency the non-offending team must skate back and reach the end zone faceoff dot before icing can be called. The overarching principle with the icing rule is to determine which player would have touched the puck first. So, in this case, the defensive team has to prove that it would touch the puck, as the player would have to do in a touch icing situation.

Question 3: Team A ices the puck. As the Team B player retreats to pursue the puck his goalie leaves the crease and plays the puck. The linesman who is in position to make the call is too focused on the players skating towards the puck and fails to notice that the goalie not only leaves his crease but actually plays the puck prior to it crossing the goal line. In error the linesman calls this icing. Where is the subsequent faceoff? Interpretation 3: If the officials err in calling an icing-the-puck infraction (regardless of whether either team is short-handed), the puck shall be faced off at the center ice faceoff spot unless, in the opinion of the referee, the center ice faceoff unduly penalizes either team. In this situation, since icing should not have been called and a center ice faceoff would unduly penalize Team A. Therefore, the faceoff will take place at one of the end zone spots in Team B’s defensive zone. (See Rule 6-15-n.)

Question 4: Team A shoots the puck down the ice from their defensive zone. The linesman has determined this puck to be in a potential icing situation. The puck wraps around the Team B end-zone boards and moves out towards the Team B defensive blue line. Team B defensive player, B1 is in the neutral zone and on his way back to pursue the puck. The linesman is in position and has determined that B1 will obviously be the first in position to touch the puck due to the path of the puck. When should the linesmen blow his whistle to enforce the icing? Interpretation 4: Since the puck has crossed the goal line and is on its way out of the Team B defensive zone due to the puck wrap, the linesman will blow his whistle and enforce the icing in this situation at the time B1 is in an obvious position to be the first player to touch the puck. In this situation since the puck has wrapped and is now in the neutral zone, B1 will not be required to skate back to his defensive zone faceoff dot.

Question 5: Team A defenseman, A1 is in the corner of his defensive zone and loses his stick and glove while in an attempt to check the Team B attacking player, B1. The puck leaves the Team A defensive zone and ends up on the Team B defensive side of the red line. With all Team B players’ onside, Team B player, B2 retrieves the puck and immediately dumps the puck back into the Team A defensive zone in the same corner where player A1 is located. The linesman has determined this puck to be in a potential icing situation. When should the linesman blow his whistle to enforce the icing? Interpretation 5: Since the puck has crossed the goal line, is in an icing situation, and in the corner of Team A’s defensive zone, the linesman will blow his whistle and enforce the icing in this situation at the time A1 in an obvious position to be the first player to get to the puck. In this situation since the puck is in the same corner as the A1 defenseman, A1 will not be required to skate to his defensive zone faceoff dot in order for the linesman to blow his whistle and enforce the icing.

Question 6: Team A ices the puck. The linesman has determined this puck to be in a potential icing situation. As the Team B player retreats to pursue the puck the Team B goalie leaves the crease (is not playing the position to prevent a goal). What is the call? Interpretation 6: Icing is waived. Since the goalie left the crease the linesman must nullify the icing call. The goalie must not make an attempt or fake an attempt to play the puck or, leave the crease during an icing. However the goalie should not be penalized for the act of playing the position. Examples: a. Guarding the edge of the net or post as the puck crosses through the crease. b. Retreating into the crease after establishing a position outside of the crease for the purpose of cutting down the angle. Question 7: Team B ices the puck. The linesman has determined this puck to be in a potential icing situation. Player A1 and Player B1 are in a tight foot race to pursue the puck. As both players approach the Team A defensive zone faceoff spot, the lineman has determined it will be a virtual tie as to which player would have touched the puck first. What is the call? Interpretation 7: In a tight foot race where the linesman cannot clearly determine which player would touch the puck first, icing shall be called.

Contact after Whistle During Icing Situations: It is imperative that the front linesman communicate with the players involved in the icing situation to avoid any unnecessary contact. Referees are instructed to use good judgment and continue to call any unnecessary contact on icing as hitting after the whistle. October 1, Delayed Penalty Question: Team A is assessed a penalty and is shorthanded - player A1 is in the 2010 Enforcement box. Shortly after play resumes Just following the next faceoff, player A2 receives a penalty and during the delayed penalty Team B scores. What is the on-ice strength? Interpretation: If the referee signals an additional minor penalty(s) against a team that already is short-handed because of one or more minor or bench minor penalties, and a goal is scored by the non-offending team before the whistle is blown, the goal shall be allowed, the delayed penalty(s) shall be assessed, and the minor penalty already being served that caused the team to be shorthanded shall terminate automatically. October 1, Puck out of bounds Question: Team A is in the neutral zone just outside the Team B Defensive zone. 2010 Player A 20 takes a shot that directly hits the Team B defensive zone goal post and goes directly out of play. Where is the subsequent faceoff? Interpretation: Nearest neutral zone faceoff spot. In order for the faceoff to take place at an end zone spot the shot must be taken inside the attacking zone and hit the goal post or crossbar and go directly out of play. November Revised – Additional Question 1: In a potential icing situation, with a slow moving puck and players in 23, 2010 Rules Guidance. a tight foot race, if puck does not cross the goal line before players get to the dot what is the call? Interpretation 1: Icing must be waived since decision of the linesman has to be made no later than the end zone faceoff dots.

Question 2: Team A dumps the puck in and attempts to make a line change. The puck is shot from Team A’s defensive half of the ice and is therefore an icing situation. Team A’s players go to its bench for a change. Team B’s goalkeeper comes out of the net to play the puck. No Team A players are in the attacking zone. The linesman incorrectly whistles the play dead for icing. Interpretation 2: In this case the faceoff should take place at the neutral zone spot outside Team B’s defensive zone. If it were to take place in Team B’s defensive zone it would unduly penalize Team B, as no attacking players were in the zone.

Question 3: Team A has a delayed penalty calling for a penalty shot/minor penalty. Team B scores during the delay. Does Team B receive a power play or the penalty shot as well? Interpretation 3: The penalty shot has always been treated as a separate scoring opportunity. Based on this concept, the committee does not believe a penalty shot should be awarded if a goal is scored during a delayed penalty situation; however, a power play would still be awarded in this situation to the non-offending team. If no goal is scored on delay, non-offending team will receive penalty shot/minor penalty option.

Question 4: If there is an awarded goal when goalkeeper is pulled, does the offending team still have to serve a penalty? Interpretation 4: Yes. This applies in any situation where a penalty is being called and a goal is being awarded (regardless of goalkeeper pulled or not).

Question 5: Defensive player B1 breaks or loses his/her stick. In the intervening play, goalkeeper B30 loses his/her stick behind the net. B1 picks up the goalkeeper’s stick and plays the puck. Interpretation 5: A player who has lost or broken the stick may only receive a stick at his/her players’ bench or be handed one from a teammate on the ice. A player may not participate in the play using a goalkeeper’s stick. A minor penalty shall be imposed on B1 for an infraction of this rule. The opposing coach does not need to use a stick challenge for this penalty to be enforced. Remember, it is legal for a goalkeeper to use a player’s stick.

Question 6: Attacking team player A1 high sticks the puck directly to the goalkeeper, who catches the puck. What is the proper referee mechanic? Interpretation 6: By rule, this is an immediate whistle when an attacking team player directly high sticks the puck to the goalkeeper. The faceoff will be in the Team A’s defending zone.

Question 7: Attacking team player A1 high sticks the puck into Team B’s defensive zone and the puck goes into the corner. Goalkeeper B30 comes out of the net and plays the puck in the corner. What is the proper referee mechanic? Interpretation 7: This is not an immediate whistle. B30 is, in effect, another defenseman. When B30 plays the puck, the high sticking infraction is nullified and play shall continue. October 26, Equipment Rules Equipment shall not be modified from its original manufactured state and shall be 2011 Guidance and worn in the manner the manufacturer intended it to be worn. It is the responsibility Clarifications. of each member institution to monitor this. Mouth Guard: All players are required to wear an internal mouth guard that covers all the remaining teeth of one jaw. Uniforms: Each player in the lineup of each team shall be dressed uniformly in accordance with Rule 2, Section 1.b. Adjustment to Clothing and Equipment: Play shall not be stopped nor the game delayed for adjustments to clothing, equipment, skates, or sticks. Helmets: All players are required to wear ice hockey helmets with throat straps securely fastened (only enough room between chin and strap to fit two fingers). Helmets Brackets (J-Clips): All mounting hardware of the facemask must be in place, which includes the J-Clips. February 17, Icing Situations and Question 1: With a slow moving puck and players in a tight foot race, if puck does 2012 Guidance on Slow not cross the goal line before players get to the dot, what is the call? Moving Puck. Interpretation 1: Icing is waved because the decision of the linesman has to be made no later than the end zone faceoff dots. This applies when two players (one offensive and one defensive) are in a tight foot race.

Question 2: With a slow moving puck and one player in pursuit and retreating to his defensive zone, if puck does not cross the goal line before the player gets to the dot, what is the call? Interpretation 2: Icing is called provided that the defensive player in pursuit is making a reasonable effort to retrieve the puck, there are no opposition players in close proximity to the retreating defensive player, and the puck is not touched by any defensive player prior to crossing the goal line.

Question 3: In late game situations when the puck is in an icing situation does the defending team have to skate to the dot in their defensive zone in order for the linesmen to signal icing or, is it permissible for the linesman to signal icing immediately since it is obvious the non-offending team will be the first player to get to the puck? Interpretation 3: To ensure game and clock consistency the non-offending team must skate back and reach the end zone faceoff dot before icing can be called.

Question 4: With Teams at even strength and the puck in Team A’s defensive zone, Player A-3 shoots the puck the length of the ice without any player from the opposing team touching it. All ten players, offensive and defensive are on Team A’s defensive side of the red line. The puck crosses the goal line, strikes the end boards and rebounds into the goal crease where it hits the Team B goalkeeper in the skate and enters the net, what is the call? Interpretation 4: Goal – As the puck is shot from the Team A defensive zone without a player from either team touching the puck. At this point the puck is in a potential icing situation. The potential icing violation does not supersede the goal since the icing violation is not completed until a Team B defensive player retreats back to the one of the faceoff dots to complete the icing violation. October 9, Exhibition game The restriction on the number of players allowed in an exhibition game was lifted 2012 correction and reminder and therefore unlimited for exhibition games. The 2012-13 – 2013-14 Rules book did not account for this rule change. October 24, High Stick and Hand Question 1: Team A strikes the puck above 4 feet and DEFLECTS directly off the 2012 Pass of Puck by Team B goalkeeper. Should there be an immediate whistle? Attacking Player Interpretation 1: No. In this situation, if the attacking team high stick’s the puck Directly Off Goalkeeper. off the defending team’s goalkeeper and then to a defending player, the play shall continue. If a teammate gains possession and control of the puck, either directly or when deflected off of any player, goalkeeper, or official there shall be a whistle and a faceoff at one of the end-zone faceoff spots adjacent to the goal of the team causing the stoppage of play.

Question 2: Team A bats the puck with an open hand and DEFLECTS directly off the Team B goalkeeper. Should there be an immediate whistle? Interpretation 2: No. In this situation, if the attacking team hand passes the puck off the defending team’s goalkeeper and then to a defending player, the play shall continue. A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with the open hand, or push it along the ice with the hand, and a teammate may take control of the puck, unless each of the items below have occurred: 1. The puck was deliberately directed to a teammate; 2. This action allowed the offending team to gain an advantage; and, 3. A teammate gains possession and control of the puck, either directly or when deflected off of any player or official.

If a teammate gains possession and control of the puck, either directly or when deflected off of any player, goalkeeper, or official there shall be a whistle and a faceoff at one of the end-zone faceoff spots adjacent to the goal of the team causing the stoppage of play.

Question 3: A1 deflects the puck above four feet when contact is made with A1’s stick. The puck then deflects off B1 entering Team B’s goal. Should the goal be allowed? Interpretation 3: No, the goal should be disallowed. A1 was still in possession of the puck when it entered the goal, deflection off of the defending player does not change possession of the puck. The determining factor as to high stick of the puck is the height at which the puck and stick make contact, not the height of the stick when contact is made.

Question 4: In their defending zone, Team B Player – B-1 strikes the puck above 4 feet directly off his/her goalkeeper and into the net. Should the goal be allowed? Interpretation 4: Yes, the goal shall be allowed. In this situation, if the puck is struck above 4 feet by the defending team and DEFLECTS directly off a defending team’s player (may include the goalkeeper), and into the net this is a legal play and the goal should be allowed. June 7, 2013 Cat-Eye Goalkeeper NCAA rules recommend that all goalkeepers wear a goalie helmet with a wire Mask Clarification. cage. Therefore, cat-eye goalkeeper masks are not prohibited. October 3, Play Along Boards. Question 1: In Team A’s defensive zone, a Team B player has gained possession 2013 of the puck along the end boards and is shielding the puck from Team A. A Team A defender pins the Team B attacking player using his free hand to push the player against the boards. The Team B player makes no effort to move the puck. Is this a penalty on Team A? Interpretation 1: No. The Team A defender is entitled to use the free hand to pin an opponent, as long as the player is released when the puck is moved along the boards.

Question 2: In the same scenario as Situation 1, the Team B player kicks the puck up the boards and attempts to move the puck to a teammate. The Team A defender continues to pin the Team B player, impeding the progress to the puck, which is now free. Is this a penalty on Team A? Interpretation 2: Yes. The initial action by the Team A defender is legal; however, the effect on this situation was a gained advantage by an illegal restraining tactic. The actions of a player who does not have body position, but instead uses illegal means to impede an opponent who is not in possession of the puck must be a penalty. These actions can include pinning or holding with the free hand, stick wrapping and in some cases using the legs to press and pin the opponent.

Question 3: In the same scenario as Situation 1, another Team B attacking player approaches the puck battle to attempt to gain possession. At the same time, an additional Team A defender cuts off the second Team B player and presses and pins the attacking player against the boards. Is this a penalty against Team A? Interpretation 3: Yes. This is interference against the second Team A defender. This has become a subtle, but effective, defensive tactic that is interference. A key element here is that the effect on this situation is a gained advantage by an illegal restraining tactic. October 3, Dump and Chase Question 1: A Team A forward approaches the attacking blue line and chips the 2013 Situations. puck behind a Team B defender. The Team B defender immediately contacts the Team A forward. Is this a penalty on Team B? Interpretation 1: No. The Team B defensive player is rewarded here for maintaining a tight gap between the attacking player. This contact is therefore legal since the contact was immediate.

Question 2: In the same scenario as Situation 1, the Team B defender makes immediate contact, but then continues to bump and impede the Team A player, who is attempting to advance toward the puck. Is this a penalty on Team B? Interpretation 2: Yes. The Team B defender has earned the right to make immediate contact by keeping a tight gap, but after that contact, the Team A player must be allowed to pursue the puck. The key element here is that the Team B player is allowed to make immediate contact, but then must release the attacking player. October 3, Line Change Procedure. Question 1: During a stoppage of play, the visiting team makes a change in 2013 personnel. After the home team makes their change, the referee brings his hand down. The linesman blows the whistle and has eight seconds to drop the puck. Is this the correct procedure? Interpretation 1: No. The linesman has up to five seconds to drop the puck once the referee has indicated the line change process is complete. Linemen should quickly set the wingers and then bring the centers together before blowing the whistle and dropping the puck.

Question 2: Team A ices the puck. During the stoppage in play, several Team A players come off the bench in an attempt to substitute. The referee instructs these players to return to the bench and Team B is given the opportunity to change players. Should the referee give Team A a warning for delay of game? Interpretation 2: Yes. The referee has some latitude in judgment in these situations, since there will be some situations where icing is not clear (or other infractions where a team is not allowed to change its players). But if these tactics are used to delay and/or attempt to substitute unfairly, they must not be tolerated. A delay of game warning is appropriate and if teams do not adjust, a bench minor penalty shall be enforced.