Western Michigan University University Recreation Intramural Sports

ICE HOCKEY RULES

Intramural Policies and Procedures

The below are important Western Michigan University Intramural Sports policies and procedures. All Intramural Sports policies and procedures can be found on our website at www.wmich.edu/rec/intramurals.

I. Roster and Roster Additions i. At the time of registration, the minimum number of players to avoid a forfeit in the sport must be registered and paid. A team may add individuals to their official roster through the regular season on IMLeagues or at the Intramural Sports Office (located on the 3rd floor of the Student Recreation Center). Rosters will freeze once the regular season ends. An individual is added to the team’s roster only after payment has been received and the Intramural Staff deems the individual as an eligible participant. All players participating in a game must be listed on the game’s scorecard. The players who are listed on the scorecard will be officially added to a team’s roster and will appear on all future scorecards under that team’s name. All players must be added to the official roster prior to the second week of the regular season to be eligible for the playoffs.

II. Eligibility i. The following individuals may participate: A. Currently enrolled student at Western Michigan University who has paid the enrollment fee. B. Individual directly affiliated with Western Michigan University who has purchased a membership to the Student Recreation Center. C. Individual with a valid ID who has purchased a $30 Intramural Sports membership pass for the sport. D. Individual who complies with A, B, or C who has purchased a sub pass prior to the game. ii. Checking ID’s: Before a game all team members shall present a valid photo ID in order to participate. The player’s identity will be verified and noted correctly on the scorecard. All players listed on the scorecard and verified before the contest will be considered participants in that contest. Should a player not be verified, that player should be considered as an ineligible player.

iii. Playing on Multiple Teams: A. Individuals may play on multiple teams as long as they are paid for on both rosters. B. No more than five (5) participants from one team may also play for a similar team. C. During playoffs, an individual who played on multiple teams during the regular season may continue to play for each of his/her teams. If his/her teams meet in the playoffs though, the individual must select what team he/she will play for prior to the game and only participate for that team during the contest. D. Goaltenders my play on multiple teams even if they have only paid for one.

III. Forfeits: i. A team not ready to play or failing to appear at the designated date, time and location of the scheduled contest will forfeit that contest. ii. In order to be credited for a forfeit win, the team receiving the win must have the minimum number of participants required to start the game. iii. If a team forfeits a single game, regardless of sportsmanship, in order to be eligible for playoffs, they are responsible to pay a $20 reinstatement fee. In all sports, if an individual/team fails to appear or fails to have the required number of participants at the scheduled game time, the game will result in a forfeit. However, if they notify the Assistant Director of Intramural Sports and/or Graduate Assistants of Intramural Sports by noon the day of the scheduled game, their team will be assessed a default. A default is a game that is not played and is recorded as a loss but is not considered a forfeit. Captains will receive an email following the forfeit verifying that in order to be eligible playoffs they must pay the $20 reinstatement fee. However, teams must still meet the 3.0 sportsmanship requirement to be eligible for playoffs as well. iv. A team may waive the immediate forfeit win and wait 10 minutes for the opposing team to arrive. A. If a team decides to wait the 10 minutes, they must wait the entire 10 minutes. B. If 10 minutes after the scheduled game time passes and the opposing team still doesn’t have the required minimum number of players, the team present must accept the forfeit win. C. If the opposing team arrives before the 10-minute time limit has lapsed, the contest shall be played but the lapsed time will not be made up. D. Once a team decides to waive their right to an immediate forfeit win the team may not rescind their decision. E. If at game time both teams don’t have the minimum number of participants required to begin, the officials will wait 10 minutes, giving both teams an equal opportunity to acquire enough participants to play. v. If a team forfeits two (2) regular season games that team will immediately be removed from the league, forfeiting their right to play any of their remaining regular season games and not being allowed to participate in the playoffs.

IV. Sportsmanship Rating System i. Each team in each contest shall be rated by the officials on their overall behavior during the course of the contest. During the contest, a team’s sportsmanship rating for the contest may be lowered based on in game penalties/fouls. ii. Teams will be graded by the game’s officials on an 0-5 scale (see grading criteria below) and will be notified of their grade following each contest.

5- Excellent Conduct and Sportsmanship - Players cooperate fully with the officials and other team members. The captain calmly converses with officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates. Teams that win by forfeit will receive a “5.” 4- Good Conduct and Sportsmanship – Team or individual team members occasionally complain to officials. Sportsmanship and understanding of the rules is acceptable but could be improved. 3- Average Conduct and Sportsmanship – Team shows verbal dissent towards officials and/or the opposing team. Captain exhibits minor control over his/her teammates, but is in control with himself/herself. A team which receives one major can receive no higher than a “3” rating. 2- Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship – Teams constantly comment to the officials and/or the opposing team from the ice or the bench. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates and/ or himself/herself. A team which receives two majors can receive no higher than a “2” rating. 1- Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship – Team is completely uncooperative. Captain has no control of teammates, and/ or himself/herself. A team which receives multiple ejections can receive no higher than a “1” rating. 0- Unacceptable Conduct and Sportsmanship --Individuals/teams participated after the consumption of alcohol or drugs. If the contest has begun when discovered, the player or players will be immediately removed from the facility, and the contest will be forfeited to the opponent. Participant(s) threatened (verbal or non-verbal) a University Recreation employee or participant/spectator during or after the contest. Team members failed to cooperate with Intramural Sports Program staff/university officials while performing their duties or falsely represented or withheld any information requested. Any team that receives an "Unacceptable Conduct and Sportsmanship" rating must have their captain meet with the Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports to determine their team’s eligibility to play their next contest.

iii. If a participant is ejected, the ejection will be suspended from all intramural sports. The ejected player needs to reach out to the intramural GAs or Assistant Director and the ejected player and team’s manager may be subject to additional penalties. iv. In order for a team to make the playoffs, the team must achieve a cumulative sportsmanship rating of 3.75 or above.

V. Team Captain Responsibilities i. Ensure their team members follow all eligibility requirements and are advised to seek clarification on special eligibility concerns. ii. Communicate game date, time, and location to teammates. iii. Ensure teammates have a valid photo ID at game time in order to check in. iv. Communicate with the officials as the team’s representative. v. Ensure good team sportsmanship before, during, and after each contest. vi. Cooperate with Intramural Site Managers and Officials respectfully concerning any protests, incidents and accidents that may occur. vii. Cooperate with Intramural Sports Staff to ensure that teammates are properly educated on all policies/procedures and rules.

VI. Alcohol/Tobacco Policy i. Alcohol and tobacco of any kind are prohibited by players and spectators at all facilities that house intramural sports contests. Any player/spectator violating this policy can affect their team’s eligibility and may be subject to WMU DPS action.

Sport Rules

The Official USA Hockey Rules will govern all play. The following rules are modifications which have been made to better suit Western Michigan University Intramural Programs. Copies of the official rules may be checked out at the Intramural Graduate Assistants Office on the 3rd floor of the Student Recreation Center.

I. The Game, Rink, Players, Substitutions i. Games will be played at the Lawson Ice Arena, located on Campus. ii. The game shall be played between two teams of six (6) players each including the goalie. Four (4) players are required to avoid a forfeit. iii. Goalies shall defend the goal nearest to their bench during the 1st, 3rd and all overtime periods and then alternate goals between the 1st, 3rd periods. iv. Substitutions: All substitutions shall be allowed on the fly (live puck) and after any stoppage of play. v. Icing: We will be using the official USA hockey rule (no touch) automatic icing. vi. Offside will be tag up.

II. Player Equipment i. Required Equipment A. Jerseys: players of opposing teams shall wear contrasting colored jerseys w/ numbers on the back. B. Helmet with full face mask/shield attached w/ chinstraps fastened C. Gloves D. Shin Guards E. Elbow Pads F. Shoulder Pads G. Pants H. Hockey Skates I. Goalie Trapper J. Goalie Blocker ii. Illegal Optional Equipment A. Any player with a hard cast will not be allowed to participate B. Any player with blood on their clothes must remove the clothing before continuing play. C. Guard, casts or braces made of hard and unyielding material or having exposed metal. iii. Zero Tolerance a. Alcohol and Tobacco are NOT permitted. b. Alcohol and Drug Policy: i. Individuals, teams, and spectators who arrive intoxicated, suspected of consumption, or possessing alcohol or other illegal substances will not be permitted to play and will be asked to leave the playing area. The game will be forfeited and the offending individuals immediately suspended. University Recreation will not tolerate such behavior and will act in a manner that is prudent, with the safety of all participants the priority. Such individuals will be dealt with harshly, given a minimum of a 365-day suspension, and will be subject to University student conduct discipline procedures. c. Any blood on clothing i. Any player with blood on their clothing MUST leave the playing surface immediately.

III. Timing and Overtime i. Game time shall consist of three twelve (12) minute running clock periods. The periods will be separated by an approximately one (1) minute intermission. ii. The clock will run continuously during the 1st and 2nd periods, and will stop during the last two (2) minutes of the 3rd period on all stoppages if there is a goal differential of two (2) goals or less. iii. Tie Games: If a games is tied at the end of regulation in the regular season a five (5) minute running clock overtime period will be played, and will be played three (3) on three(3). If still tied, the game will be recorded as a tie. During the playoffs the following procedure will be used: A. A five (5) minute running clock overtime period will be played, and will be played three (3) on three (3). B. If a tie still exists, a five (5) player shootout will be used to determine the winner. C. If a tie still exists, then a sudden death shootout will be used in order to determine the winner. Player(s) participating in this portion didn’t need to be on the ice at the end of the overtime period. A player may not shoot a 2nd time until all players (not including the goalie) have shot a 1st time. iv. Timeout: each team will get one 60 second timeout per game.

IV. Scoring i. A goal is scored when a puck completely crosses the goal line and crosses underneath the crossbar and between the two posts.

V. Mercy Rule i. If there is a ten (10) goal differential at any point during the 3rd period the game shall be ended.

VI. Penalties i. Minor Penalty = the most common form of penalty, which is assessed for common infractions. Players who receive a minor penalty will remain of the ice for two (2) minutes of play during which their team will be short-handed, if a single player accumulates five (5) minor penalties then the player will be ejected from the game. If a goal is scored against a team short-handed by a minor penalty, the penalty ends immediately. Similarly, if a goal is scored against the offending team on a delayed penalty which would be minor penalty, the penalty is negated. However, if a team has been assessed multiple minor penalties, a goal against them will end only the earlies assessed minor penalty. ii. Major Penalty = a stronger degree of penalty for a more severe infraction of the rules than a minor. Most penalties which incur a major are more severe instances of minor penalty infractions; the exception is fighting which always draws a major. A player who receives a major penalty will remain off the ice for five (5) minutes of play during which his team will be short-handed. A major penalty will not end if a goal is scored against the short-handed team. If major penalties are assessed to one player on each team at the same time, they may be substituted for and teams will not be reduced by one player on the ice. They will remain in the penalty box until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of the penalties. iii. Game Misconduct Penalty = most severe penalty given in hockey. A player who receives a game misconduct penalty is ejected and immediately removed from the facility. The player may be immediately substituted for on the ice; however, in practice, game misconduct penalties are normally assessed along with five minute major penalties and another player will serve this penalty first. Regardless of the time of the penalty, the player is charged with ten penalty minutes for statistical purposes. iv. Penalty Shot = a special case of penalty in which a scoring opportunity was lost as a direct result of an infraction. The player who was deprived of the scoring opportunity, or one chosen by the team, is allowed an unchallenged opportunity to score on the opposing goaltender as compensation. v. Teams may not play more than two (2) players, down, if a third penalty is incurred while two (2) penalties are being served the third penalty will commence when the first penalty has been served. vi. Example:

Minor Penalty (2 Minutes) Major Penalty (5 Minutes) Interference Cross Checking Holding Charging Hooking Butt Ending Slashing Spearing Tripping Unsportsmanlike Conduct Delay of Game Improper Equipment Too Many Players Match Penalty (5 Minute+ Ejection) Instigation Using a False ID Throwing Equipment Player Not on Roster of Playing Team Roughing Leaving the Bench/Box to Join Elbowing Altercation Playing with a Broken Stick Contacting an Official Checking Intent to Injure High Sticking (2x if blood is drawn)