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Rule 618(a) Handling Puck with Hands                                                                            

(a) Play shall be stopped and a last play face-off shall occur any time a player (except the goalkeeper) closes their hand on the puck and does not immediately drop the puck to the ice.

A minor penalty for delay of game shall be assessed to any player, other than the goalkeeper, who picks the puck up from the ice with their hand(s) while play is in progress.

A penalty shot/optional minor penalty shall be awarded to the non-offending team any time a defending player, other than the goalkeeper, picks the puck up off the ice with their hand or holds the puck while play is in progress and the puck is in the goal crease. If this infraction occurs while the goalkeeper has been removed from the ice and prevents an obvious and imminent goal, a goal shall be awarded to the non-offending team. (Note) For the purpose of this rule, the goal crease shall extend from the ice to the top of the crossbar of the goal frame.

Rule 109 Signals and Timing Devices – Casebook Situation #3

Situation 3 A face-off occurs with ten seconds remaining in the period. As play begins, one of the On-Ice Officials notices that the clock has not started. Should the Official stop play immediately to remedy the situation?

No. Rule Reference 109(a and b).

As soon as the Official notices that the clock has not started, they must begin counting down the remaining seconds in their head. If they count down to 0:00 and the period should have ended but didn’t, they must stop play to end the period. If the Official properly counts down to 0:00 in the above situation, but does not stop the play for whatever reason, any goal that has been scored after they count down to 0:00 shall be disallowed.

Rule 601 Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct – Casebook Situation #1

Situation 1 A player sitting on the players’ bench uses profanity towards an Official. If the Official can recognize the player using this language, may they assess a misconduct penalty rather than a bench minor? 

Yes. Rule References 601 (Note), 601(b. Note) and 601(c.2).The Officials shall assess a misconduct to a player if the player can be readily recognized. If the Official cannot determine the identity of the player, they must impose a bench minor on the team. This interpretation only applies to players on the players’ bench or penalty bench.

Rule 612(c) Face-off Locations                                                                                         

(c) When a stoppage of play occurs as the result of any action by the attacking team in the attacking zone, the ensuing face-off will take place at the nearest neutral zone face-off spot, unless the stoppage was a result of a shot going directly out of play off of the goal post or crossbar, boards or glass.

Rule 625 Interference – Situation #3

Situation 3 A player who is about to come onto the ice plays the puck with their stick. However, that player has either one or both skates still on the bench. What penalty, if any, shall be assessed.

A minor penalty. Rule Reference 625(a.9). 

A player’s skates must not be in contact with the bench in order for them to participate in the play. This ruling would apply whether or not the team has the correct number of players on the ice. In the case of a player entering or leaving the players’ bench who intentionally plays the puck with one or both skates on the bench, the same ruling would apply.

Rule 205 Substitution of Goalkeepers – Casebook Situation #3

Situation 3 The goalkeeper is being replaced by a skater, but the replacement plays the puck while the goalkeeper is twenty feet away from their players’ bench. Is this a “too many players on the ice” violation or “premature substitution” for the goalkeeper?         This is a “premature substitution” for the goalkeeper violation. Rule Reference 205(a). Goalkeeper substitutions are governed by a different rule than too many players on the ice. In this instance, the “premature substitution” for the goalkeeper violation has occurred the moment the substitute player entered the ice prior to the goalkeeper being at the bench.

Rule 617(c) Goals and Assists

(c) A goal shall not be allowed if the following occurs:  

4. The puck entered the goal while an attacking player was positioned in the crease (unless physically interfered with by a defending player causing them to be in the goal crease) or interfering with the goalkeeper (see Rule 625(b) Interference).

Standard of Play – Casebook Situation #2

Situation 2 Can a player lift the opponent’s stick without being penalized under the Standard of Play guidelines?

Yes. A player may lift the opponent’s stick at any time provided they do not impede their progress. This is most often done in an effort to prevent the opponent from playing the puck and is considered a good defensive play.

Rule 616 Note 2 Fouled from Behind                                                                              

(Note 1) For the purpose of this rule, fouled from behind is defined as any infraction committed to an opponent either directly or diagonally from behind (beyond the fouled player’s peripheral vision), that would normally be deemed a penalty, including cross-checking, high sticking, holding, hooking, slashing and tripping.

(Note 2) For the purpose of this rule a “breakaway” is defined as a player who is in control of and is propelling the puck in a desired direction, and is beyond their defending blue line with no opponent between them and the goalkeeper.

Rule 620(a) Head Contact

(a) A minor plus a misconduct or major plus a game misconduct penalty shall be assessed for head contact to an opponent.