Some pretty significant rule changes were announced in the NHL.  Since NCAA
hockey often follows the NHL's lead in these matters, I thought it
appropriate to pass along a summary.  It will be interesting to see if the
offsides rule is changed back to the old way in college puck as well. Info
is quoted from Mercury Mail Sports Wrap <[log in to unmask]>:
 
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NHL APPROVES RULES CHANGES FOR UPCOMING SEASON
 
The National Hockey League's Board of Governors, which met in New
York Wednesday, approved a series of rules changes for the
1996-97 season, one of which should increase the number of
faceoffs in each game. The board essentially abolished the
delayed offsides rule, requiring that all players be clear of the
attacking zone before a puck is shot into that zone. The ability
to "tag" and return into the zone was removed and defensive
players can legally be checked only when they reach the neutral
zone or offsides will be called and play stopped. Today's move is
designed to increase the amount of play in the neutral zone.
 
According to another new rule, "any concerted or widespread
conduct by the fans which results in the littering of the ice
with any type of object will not be tolerated. A two-minute delay
of game penalty may be assessed against the home team." The new
rule, aimed primarily at Florida fans who pelted the ice with
plastic rats following goals last season, will not apply to fans
who toss hats onto the ice to celebrate a hat trick.
 
The league
adjusted its high-sticking rule, exempting players who strike an
opponent "if the act is committed as a normal backswing or
follow-through of a ... shooting action." The high-stick standard
also was changed from waist to shoulder level. Also, players who
receive a major elbowing or charging penalty that results in an
injury to an opponent's head or face also will be assessed a game
misconduct.
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-==-John R. Nash-==-Dept of Chemistry, [log in to unmask]
 
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