2.       The height of level rink is to be 39.5”, measured from the floor to the top of rink frame.

3.       Rink surface should only be polished prior to a round, but may receive a quick dry buff prior to any match.

4.       Pucks may be powdered at start of each period, after puck hits floor, and otherwise as determined by Referee.

5.       Stick blade height may be adjusted at play stoppage.

6.       The Referee conducts play from the open side of the rink and is charged with making all game decisions. Scorer and players may give their view to clarify play; if uncertain on a rule, Referee is to consult a Tournament Official.

7.       The Scorer works both clock and score sheet from the lamp side of the rink, updating players and giving them 60, 30, and 10 second alerts at the end of each period.

8.       Play is stopped for a player injury as determined by Referee or a mechanical breakage on a spring or puck, or rod out or player off only.

9.       Play is resumed with a face-off at the center ice circle.

10.   The puck must remain in net to be scored as a goal.

11.   A match is 9 minutes divided into three 3 minute periods, with clock pausing at each play stoppage and resuming at each face-off.

12.   Players will switch ends at the end of the first and second periods.

13.   Players receive 2 points for a win, 1 point each for a tie, and 0 points for a loss.

14.   All Round Robin tie breakers are 1) Points, 2) Wins, 3) Head-Head, 4) least losses, 5) Goals +/-, 6) Goals For, 7) Goals Against

15.   All playoff matches go to sudden death if in regulation they end in a tie.

16.   Players have an optional 1 minute timeout per game which may be called only at a play stoppage.

17.   The lower ranked player has choice of rink end in all round robin group matches.

18.   During play-offs, the player with higher standing gets choice of game (top ranked player gets first choice down to #8) and starting rink end.

19.   A match ends by mercy at any 7+ goal lead going into the third period

20.   All byes and forfeits are scored as 4-2 games.

21.   Playoffs are bracketed based on second round standings.

FACE-OFFS

22.   A puck shot into the net from a fair face-off is not a goal.

23.   On all face-offs, position facing players between puck and their own net, with player bases completely outside circle and stick blades at least 1” from puck. Stick blades must be pointed at the puck and held still.

24.   Other near players may line up with stick blades no closer than 3” from puck. No forward may line up across blue line unless face-off is in that offensive zone.

25.   With facing players in position and forwards onside, the players each announce “ready”. The Referee pauses, and then starts the face-off by calling “go”. When players sound “ready” together, Referee should ask for a recheck.

26.   Jump Rule - A “jump” is called by Referee or Scorer on seeing any motion in stickable or slot by a facing player prior to “go” call. Play is stopped for a reface.  Two consecutive jumps by the same player results in a penalty shot. The Referee should, either call “play on” or stop play when a face-off, although fair, begins awkwardly.

27.   Center face-off to begin a period, and after a goal, penalty shot, injury, mechanical, or after the puck is battled or deflected out of play from center ice area.

28.   Blue line face-off after puck is battled or deflected out of play from area, or after attacker plays puck out off net or directly out from inside the offensive zone.

29.   End zone face-off after puck is battled or deflected out of play from area, or after defensive player with safe possession of puck around net announces “freeze”.

30.   General rule for pucks out of play: face-off nearest to point of origin when puck goes out directly; face-off nearest to last player contact when puck is deflected.

31.   Face-offs can also be held anywhere between end zone and blue line dots when puck is put out from that area.

BOARDERS

32.   A puck shot off boards then clearly off any player, except goaler, and into net is scored as a goal.

33.   A puck shot off boards by an attacking forward is ruled a face-off to the side of the goal the bank occurred.

34.   A puck shot off boards by an attacking defenseman is ruled as icing and a face-off is made to the side of the goal in the shooters end.

35.   Any secondary play by the goaler on a stopped puck into his own net is scored as a goal.

36.   A puck shot off boards by any player and into their own net is ruled a face-off closest to the last bank.

37.   Uncertainty by Referee or Scorer on a player deflection after a board carom should favor a “no goal” ruling followed by a face-off.

38.   Any shot by any player either directly or deflected into net which does not contact the board’s en route is always scored as a goal.

39.   On Referee call of “penalty shot”, the Scorer stops the game clock, sets the penalty clock at 4 seconds, and records a “P” for the attacker on score sheet. Attacker plays center, positioned as for a center ice face-off, and defender plays the goaler. All forwards are pushed to the end of rink; all defensemen are pulled behind the nets with stick blades pointed away and with rods angled outward. Puck is at center, players announce “ready”, Referee calls “go”. Center has one attempt to score.

Miscellaneous

40.   Goal Crease Freeze Call – You may only call a freeze in the goal area if the puck is resting on or touching the goal line or resting completely above the goal crease and not touching any of the three vertical goaler slots.  If however any part of the puck is beyond the end of one the three vertical goaler slots and is touching it you may call a freeze in that situation.

41.   The defensemen and goaler, alone or combined, have 4 seconds upon safe possession of puck to move the puck into contested ice or call a defensive freeze.

42.   A wing or center has 4 seconds upon safe possession to move the puck from boards or slot into contested ice.

43.   On all referee calls of 4 second delay, the clock is stopped and a face-off held in end zone of violator. Referee should replace lost time when game significant.

44.   The players are asked to play the goaler facing forward. The referee should remind a player to turn the player when possible.

45.   The defensemen must defend with stick blades outside the goal crease. If an attacking shot is blocked from scoring with the stick blade inside the crease, without an immediate attacking score on the rebound, the Referee stops play and rules a penalty shot against the defense.

46.   The Pico - No goal is scored when an attacker shoots a stopped puck into net using the back 180 degree half of the player base, opposite to the stick blade. On this “Pico” call, the Referee resumes play with a face-off nearest point of origin or, excluding goaler, last player contact.  Players may shoot the puck with the forward 180 degrees of the player’s base but the puck must be in contact with the stick blade at the time of the shot.

47.   Tournament Officials can forfeit a match or disqualify a player for absence or misconduct.

Clear and consistent rulings ease the stress on players and refs. Players should be aware that the puck is always live until the Referee stops play or you or opponent call a defensive freeze.

Puck luck and great games to everyone!