Deck Hockey Rules 4-6th Grade Division (Revised Fall 2017)

GAME

Periods (2) are 18 minutes stopped time. A 5 minute stopped time sudden-death OT will be played if a regular season game is tied after regulation time. In , during regular season games only, teams will now play 4 on 4 (as opposed to 5 on 5). This is just for regular season games as playoffs will remain 5 on 5 in overtime. The goalie that finishes in regulation must play in the overtime. The losing team in OT earns one while the winning team will earn two points. If neither team scores in overtime, the game ends in a and each team will receive one point. Playoff games go into full overtime periods until a team scores ().

Each team is given (1) one minute timeout per period and 1 per overtime period. Timeouts do not carry over if not used in a prior period.

If the ball is shot over the black pads from the offensive zone, the faceoff remains in the zone to the right or left of the net. If the ball is cleared over the pads from the defensive zone, the faceoff is brought outside the zone over the center blue line.

In the event of a tie in the number of team points at the end of the season, the ties will be broken in the following order: 1 – Wins; 2 – Head to Head; 3 – Least goals allowed; 4 – Coin Flip

OFFSIDES The offside line is the center blue line on the rink. The “touch-up” offsides rule will be in effect to keep the flow of the game.

Intentional offsides is not enforced and the faceoff remains just outside the blue line, not deep in the defensive end.

BALL STUCK IN FENCE BEHIND NET

If a shot is taken by a team in the offensive zone and the ball gets stuck in the fence behind the net, the faceoff remains inside the zone to the right or left of the . If a shot is taken from the defensive zone the faceoff is brought back to where the shot was taken or will be icing if applicable.

DELAYED OFFSIDES AND DELAYED

(1) On a delayed offsides, if the ball is shot on net and touched by the goalie, the play will be blown dead for a face off outside the offensive zone.

(2) If a whistle is blown due to the ball being touched by a high stick or for a delayed penalty, the faceoff will now be brought all the way down to the other zone (deep), just like in the NHL.

PENALTIES

Major Penalties – Major penalties include stick violations with “intent to injure” and fighting. Any player who throws a punch (gloves on or off), purposely uses the stick or boards/charges to try to intentionally hurt an opponent will be given a 5 minute major penalty and a game misconduct (ejection from the game - overtime included). In addition, the player will be suspended for the next game his team plays and all major penalty suspensions will be reported to the CYO administration. A suspended player in not allowed to be on or around the bench for their team’s games during the time of suspension.

In the event 2 players are given offsetting 5 minute major penalties resulting in game misconducts, the teams will remain playing 5 v 5.

Any 2 game misconducts on a player in one season for major penalties will result in the player immediately being banned for the rest of the season. The CYO “no tolerance rule” is in effect when it comes to code of conduct infractions such as these.

Any player leaving the bench or penalty box to join an on rink altercation will be ejected from the game and automatically be suspended for the next 2 games.

Minor Penalties – Minor penalties (i.e, tripping, hooking, roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc.) are 2 minutes stopped time and will carry into overtime. If a player receives 3 minor penalties in a single game, the player will be issued a game misconduct and is out for the remainder of that game. (Note – game misconducts for minor penalties DO NOT RESULT in a next game suspension.) Next game suspensions only apply to major penalties.

If offsetting 2 minute coincidental minor penalties are called, the two teams will play 5 v 5 for the full two minutes regardless if either team scores a . After the 2 minute penalties have expired, both players must remain in the penalty box until there is a stoppage in play. If 2 non-coincidental penalties are called on the same play (one on each team), but are called for separate infractions, the teams will play 4 v 4 for the full 2 minutes. Both players must remain in the box for the full 2 minutes regardless if either team scores a goal during the penalties.

If 2 players receive coincidental minor penalties and one of the two players is given an extra 2 minute minor, manpower on the rink will be 5 on 4. The extra minor penalty issued must be served by one of the players on the rink at the time of the infraction. This player can return to the game if (a) a power play goal is scored or (b) 2 minutes on the clock has expired.

The 2 remaining players serving the original coincidental minors must remain in the box for the full length of their penalty time and can only return to the rink upon the first whistle after 2 minutes has expired.

REFEREES

It is important that coaches and referees show respect for each other when discussing a disputed call. While coaches can question a call and ask for an explanation in a civil manner, once the ruling is explained the incident is over. Arguing with the referees before, during or after a game regarding calls will not be tolerated. It is important coaches respect the referee’s decision, as belaboring a call is counterproductive to the progress of the game and sets a poor example for sportsmanship. Verbal abuse by a coach or parent to a referee over a call will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for that team. At the discretion of the ref, continuous verbal abuse from a coach will result in a game misconduct for the coach and will ultimately be reported to the CYO Board. If a coach receives 2 game misconducts in a season, they will be suspended for the rest of that season and the board will review if other disciplinary action is necessary for future CYO participation.

All incidents and unnecessary behavior on or off the rink will be reported to your division or league coordinator and it will then be handled accordingly in compliance with St. Rose CYO rules and the board. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a league volunteer (coach or parent) approach or discuss any game related incident(s) with referees outside the CYO program. Failure to comply with this will result in an immediate hearing with the St. Rose board for disciplinary action which will include suspension and/or possibly being banned from coaching any CYO activity.

PROFANITY/UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Profanity and “trash talking” by players or coaches is unacceptable behavior. Referees have been instructed to call unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on players/coaches who verbally abuse them or trash talk players from the opposing team. Based on the severity and intended content of the profanity, it will be at the discretion of the referee whether to issue a warning to the player/coach or simply assess an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

In the event a parent is verbally abusing a referee, it will be up to the coach of the team of the party involved to step in and help control the situation with the referees. If the parent continues the verbal abuse, the referee can call an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on that team.

MERCY RULE, RUNNING THE SCORE and SPORTSMANSHIP

Once the goal differential between the two teams reaches 6, the “mercy rule” will apply and the game is over regardless of how far into the game it is. Teams can use their remaining allotted rink time to practice if they wish.

As an intramural hockey league, we have players of all different skill levels as well as age. While the draft is supposed to balance out the teams, sometimes individual game circumstances (i.e.- a short bench) can make it an uneven contest. Keeping the score to a reasonable differential must be adhered to by all coaches and players. This promotes good sportsmanship and demonstrates common courtesy, as there is no reason to embarrass another team by “running up the score”. It is not in the spirit of what this league or CYO sports are about.