The rules for the upcoming men's and women's ice hockey season have finally been released.  Here is what you have to look for:
 
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1.  New Rules
 
There are two rule additions which might have a noticeable impact on the upcoming season.  The first is the addition of the "no diving" rule.  As of this season, a misconduct penalty will be assessed to players that attempt to draw a penalty by their actions (diving).
 
This might inevitably increase the average number of penalties per game.  It certainly may turn "diving" into a more subtle art form.
 
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The second addition gives the Assistant Referee the ability to disallow an illegal goal not observed by the referee.
 
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The only other new rule added this year is the opportunity for a shootout in regular season tournaments.  For regular-season tournaments only, any game that results in a tie may be broken by use of a shootout if teams are tied after a standard five-minute overtime.  The game will be recorded as a tie for the record.  Tournament officials must notify all participating teams of their intent to use the shootout format by October 1st.
 
This the the first time I know of that the NCAA has formally recognized this option for regular-season tournaments.  It does not mention which shootout format will be used, in essence leaving the details to be worked out by the tournament officials.  More than likely, the repeating five-player shootout will be used; but it is not mentioned at all in the NCAA rules.
 
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Every year there is a general area that is emphasized by the rules committee, and this year is no exception.  This season official are encouraged to pay particular attention to a player who instigates or escalates an incident after play is stopped.
 
This may open a broad interpretation...is this rule only during that stoppage of play, the remainder of the game, or the remainder of the season?  This one will be interesting to see play out.
 
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2.  Rule Changes/Clarifications
 
Here are the small, more subtle changes being made for the new season:
 
Slight changes have been made to the high sticking rules regarding where the face off will occur.  In the past small infractions of this rule meant having the face off at the location of the infraction.  Now the face off will occur at the end zone face of spot adjacent to the goal of the offending team.
 
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The rules related to measurement and challenge of equipment have been clarified.  Now this rule is not limited to just measurement of equipment.  The language is now broadened to include checking equipment.
 
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In the past, icing was waved off if the puck passes through any part of the goal crease.  This portion of the rule has been omitted.
 
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The protocol has been tweaked slightly.  Now specific times have been assigned for the visiting team to take the ice.  The home team will take the ice at the for warm up at 38:00 on the clock, with the visiting team taking the ice at 37:50.  At the beginning of the game the home team goes back on the ice at 7:00, visitors at 6:50.  After each intermission home will be at 1:00 on the clock with the visitors at 0:50.
 
That's all to report so far.  I will try to be your resource for rules and protocol information.  Just ask the group or e-mail me.
 
Joe Kennedy
 
 
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