Dave writes in response to Carol's posting:
>I have a couple of questions, which someone with a rule book should be
>able to answer. I intend to buy a rule book, but haven't gotten around
>to it...
 
I ordered my 91-92 book back in the summer.  They've cashed my check but I
haven't received my book yet.  I hope it will be coming soon.  I'll try to
answer the questions I can...
 
>> There are a few NEW rules for the game this year too. Each team must only
 have
>> ONE captain. Also, the captains from each team will meet prior to the start
 of
>> the game with the referee.
>
>I assume this is so that the ref can give them any instructions
>on how he expects the teams to conduct themselves, how he will
>deal with the captains, etc?
 
This generally happens prior to the game from what I've seen.  It was in
the rule book.  Rule 2, Section 2a does state that each team will have only
one captain.  However, I expect this was a point of emphasis because it has
not been uncommon for three or more "captains" to all wear the "C",and thus
referees would hear from six or more players in the course of a game during
conflicts.  This will insure that only one player from each team will be
permitted to discuss things with the referee.
 
>> In overtime, especially in tournaments, goalies will always stay in the same
>> net that they defended in the first and third period, regardless of the
 number
>> of overtime periods required to decide the game.
>
>If there is some difference in the ends of the rink, is there the
>option of switching? When?
 
Rule 6 section 46 stated that teams would defend the same net at the start of
overtime as they did at the end of the third period, then they would switch
every other overtime.  Apparently this has been changed.  Section 42b of
Rule 6 states that if in the official's opinion the conditions of play are
more favorable in one end than the other, he can rule that the teams change
ends "at the middle of one or all three regular periods, and overtime periods,
but not in only two regular periods."  This must be ruled at the start of the
game or period.  I presume that the coach, through his captain, is allowed
to make this request but the final decision rests with the referee.
 
The rule indicates that its intent is to prevent a team from playing under
unfavorable conditions in "...two successive half-periods."  So, unless this
has changed, I believe that teams are required to defend the same goal
through all overtimes unless unfavorable conditions exist, in which case the
referee would have teams change ends at the five-minute mark of the ten-minute
overtimes.  At the beginning of each overtime, teams would defend the
same goal they did at the start of the game.
 
I think this came about because there have been questions in tourney games
that went into extended overtimes as to whether to change ends and when.  This
rule/directive will (hopefully) insure that it is done the same everywhere.
 
>> Here is another interesting change: If a player of the defending team
>> deliberately displaces the goal, and an opponent has a clear shot at scoring,
>> a penalty shot OR minor penalty is assessed. In the past, it was just a minor
>> penalty. This could create some interesting coaching options!!
>
>Is this the ref's call or the team's choice? "Interesting coaching options"
>implies that the coach gets to choose...
 
This was actually in the book last year - Rule 6, Section 9b states that if
a player is on a breakaway and this happens, a penalty shot/optional minor
penalty will be assessed.  It does not say who has the option, but I read it
as meaning it was the option of the team offended.  But the rule as given by
Carol seems to clarify 6.9b by removing the breakaway condition.  Now it is
just any chance at scoring, which does not have to be a breakaway.
 
>> And finally on icing calls, the puck must be entirely past the center red
 line
>> to nullify icing. If it is touching the line at all when shot down the ice,
>> icing the puck will be called.
>
>What are the rules with respect to the other lines on the ice:
>       -- does the puck have cross the end red line for icing to be called?
>          (if the offensive team touched the puck while it is touching the
>          red line is icing waved off?)
 
Yes, it must completely cross the goal line.  If touched on the the goal line or
 the red line, icing is waved off.  Rule 6.23a.
 
>       -- if the puck is touching the blue line, is it "in" or "out"
>          of the zone for offsides calls ? (and does it matter which
>          way it is going -- ie all the way in when bringing the puck
>          in, all the way out when the puck pops out along the blue
>          line?)
 
This is a great question and is an opportunity to clear up some misconceptions
many people have about the confusing offsides rule.
 
The important thing to remember is "the outer edge of the line".  When the
puck is headed into the zone, the outer edge is the one nearest the
opponents' net.  When the puck is headed out of the zone, the outer edge is
the one nearest the neutral zone.
 
The puck is not into or out of the zone until it crosses the outer edge of
the line.  Thus, when the puck is headed into the zone, the blue line is
considered a part of the neutral zone.  When the puck is headed out of the
zone, the blue line is considered part of the offensive zone.
 
An interesting sidebar to the offsides rule is that there is one case when
you are permitted to enter the zone BEFORE the puck - if you are carrying
the puck *and* in full control of it, you can enter the zone ahead of the
puck.  This is not widely known and causes some fans to scream loudly when
players pull up at the line and swing around so that their skates are in the
zone but the puck isn't yet.  But it's the right call.  If the player then
fires the puck or passes it so that it enters the zone after his skates have,
he is then offside.
 
In addition, a player is still onside "when either of the skates is in contact
with the individual's own side of the line at the instant the puck
crosses the outer edge of that line...". So, if the puck goes in and
a player has one skate into the zone and one on the line, he is onside (if the
player is not headed out of the zone).  It is only the *skates* that determine
if a player is offside.  Both skates must be into or out of the zone, for
the player to be into or out of the zone.  Remember the "outer edge" rule
to determine which zone the player is in.  Again this causes many fans to
call the linesman bad names when it happens.
 
Coach Schafer, want to put any of this in your intro to hockey? :-)
---
Mike Machnik        [log in to unmask]       [log in to unmask]