Rule 632. Refusing to Start Play

1. If, when both teams are on the ice, one team for any reason shall refuse to play when ordered to do so by the Referee, he shall warn the Captain and allow the team so refusing fifteen seconds within which time to begin the game or resume play. If at the end of that time the team shall still refuse to play, the Referee shall impose a bench minor penalty on the offending team, and the case shall be reported to the Proper Authorities for further action. Should there be a recurrence of the same incident, the Referee shall have no alternative but to suspend the game and impose a match penalty on the offending Team Official(s) responsible for the incident.

2. If a team, when ordered to do so by an On-Ice Official, through a Team Official, fails to go onto the ice promptly, it shall receive a bench minor penalty. If the team fails to go onto the ice and start play within five minutes, the game shall be suspended and the offending Team Official(s) shall be assessed a match penalty.

   (Note) The local governing body or Disciplinary Committee shall determine whether the suspended game shall be deemed completed, forfeited, resumed from the point of suspension or cancelled and shall issue instructions pertaining to records, etc.

   For Juniors only - Any team refusing to start play may be subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) plus financial losses incurred by the non-offending team.