- The game shall be commenced at the time scheduled by a
``face-off'' at the center face-off spot and shall be renewed promptly at the conclusion
of each intermission in the same manner.
No delay shall be permitted by reason of any ceremony, exhibition,
demonstration or presentation unless consented to reasonably in advance by
the visiting team.
- Home teams shall have the choice of goals to defend at the start
of the game except where both players' benches are on the same side of the rink,
in which case the home team shall start the game defending the goal nearest
its own bench. The teams shall change ends for each succeeding regular
period.
If in the opinion of the Referee, conditions are more favorable to play
at one end of the rink than the other, the Referee may equalize
opportunities by having the teams change ends at the middle of one
or all three regular and overtime periods, but not in only two regular
periods. The Referee shall declare before the commencement of the game
or period that this change is to be made, and the change shall take place at
the exact midpoint of a period and not at a stoppage of play nearest
that point.
*** Subsections (c) through (e) do not apply for Juniors.
- During the pre-game warm-up (which shall not exceed twenty minutes
in duration) and before the commencement of play in any period, each team
shall confine its activity to its own end of the rink so as to leave clear an
area thirty feet wide across the center of the Neutral Zone.
(Note) Players shall not be permitted to come on the ice during a
stoppage in play or at the end of the first and second periods for the
purpose of warming-up. The Referee will report any violation of this rule
to the Proper Authorities for disciplinary action.
- Fifteen minutes before the time scheduled for the start of the
game both teams shall vacate the ice and proceed to their dressing rooms
while the ice is being flooded. Both teams shall be signalled by the
Game Timekeeper to return to the ice together in time for the scheduled start
of the game or period. It is recommended that, when both teams are to leave
the ice through a common exit, the team whose players' bench is closest to the
exit leave first. The home team should enter the ice surface first.
(Note) This section is intended as a guideline only. In Youth and
Girls/Women games, no time is required between the warm-up and
the start of the game, if mutually agreed upon by both teams.
- When a team fails to appear on the ice promptly without a proper
justification, an On-Ice Official shall warn the team through a Team Official that it must enter the ice immediately. If the team fails to do so promptly,
the Referee shall assess a bench minor penalty for Delay of the Game. (See
also Rule 632, Refusing to Start Play).
*** Subsections (f) through (m) apply only for Juniors.
- In order to standardize the player introduction practice
throughout Junior hockey, the following shall apply.
After the Referee has blown his whistle announcing the commencement of the
introductions, all non-starters shall remove themselves from the ice
promptly. The starting line-ups shall assemble on their respective
goal lines, and shall be individually introduced, at which time each player,
as his name is called, shall skate to his respective blue line and remain at
that line during the remainder of the introductions. The Officials shall
stand at an appropriate position on the center red line immediately following the
introductions, after which the National Anthem(s) shall be played. Following
the completion of the National Anthem(s), the game shall be promptly
commenced.
- During the pre-game warm-up (not less than twelve and no more than
twenty minutes - recommended time is fifteen minutes) and before the
commencement of play in any period, each team shall confine its activity to
its own end of the rink so as to leave clear an area thirty feet wide across
the center of the Neutral Zone. Any player crossing the center red line during warm-ups,
before the game and between periods will receive a minor penalty. The
Referee is instructed to strictly enforce this rule. (See
Rule 613(h)).
- Fifteen minutes before the time scheduled for the start of the
game, both teams shall vacate the ice and proceed to their dressing rooms
while the ice is being flooded. Both teams shall be signalled by the
Game Timekeeper to return to the ice together in time for the scheduled start
of the game or period. It is recommended that, when both teams are to leave
the ice through a common exit, the team whose players' bench is closer to the exit
leave first. The home team should enter the ice surface first.
(Note) In order to speed up that start of a game, all players are
required to promptly leave the ice surface at the conclusion of warm-ups and
at the end of each period. A failure to exit one minute after the conclusion
of a period or warm-up shall result in the following:
- First Offense - Written warning from the League.
- Second Offense - A fine not to exceed Ten Dollars ($10.00) per
occurrence per player to the team.
- At the end of the first and second periods, and the third period
should the game be tied, all players that must come onto the ice to reach
their dressing rooms must remain on the bench until the Referee gives them
a signal to leave. Should both teams have to leave by way of the ice, the
Referee will direct the visiting team to leave the bench first, then the
home team may leave upon the Referee's signal. The home team may exit first
if this prevents the teams from crossing, upon instructions to do so by the
Referee. Failure to wait for the Referee's signal will result in a
minor penalty to either or both teams. At the end of the game the
Referee will determine when the players have separated sufficiently to
prevent any possible situations and at that time will give both teams a
signal that they may leave their benches to meet their goalkeeper prior to
going to their rooms. Failure to wait for this signal or any situations
caused after the teams have left their benches will be reported to the League
for review.
(Note) If an altercation should develop, the first-off the
players' bench rule may be applied, if appropriate, to the offending team.
- At the beginning of the second and third periods and overtime
periods in play-offs (0:00 on the clock), teams must be on the ice or be
observed to be proceeding to the ice. For failure to comply,
a bench minor penalty for delay of game shall be imposed.
- Should a game be delayed by two and one-half hours at the start of
the game or by two hours during the actual playing time, because of
conditions beyond control (ie. bus problems, road conditions, etc.), the
Referee shall have the authority to suspend the game after conferring with
both teams. The circumstances surrounding the incident shall be immediately
reported to the League. It is recommended that a Junior
game not start after 9:45 p.m.
- A Coach and/or Team Official shall have the responsibility to be
on the players' bench during all times when players from that team are on the ice,
including but not limited to pre-game warm-up during each period, and at the
conclusion of the period/game, until both teams have cleared the ice, unless
removed by the Referee or Discipline Committee action.
- There shall be no handshake at the end of any regular season or
play-off game until the play-off series has been concluded.
