>> I've never heard of such an exception to the off-sides rule. I > >thought that rule was iron-clad -- the puck MUST precede any and all > >attacking players. Any comments from our hockey rules experts??? >> >> -------------------------------------------------- >> Dr. Stephen E. Roth [log in to unmask] > >The rules state "A player in full control of the puck who crosses the >blue line ahead of the puck shall not be considered offsides." 1997 >NCAA Rule Book, page 69 Section 32 b NOTE. > >On page 75, "Control of the puck" is defined as the act of propelling >the puck with the stick. Hence, most refs/linesmen use the >rule-of-thumb, if the puck is on the tape when the player crosses the >blue line, then he/she is in control of the puck. I'm glad someone quoted the rule book, because I would have thought otherwise. Reflecting on the many games that I've attended (college & pro), I can honestly say that I don't recall EVER seeing a skater with control of the puck cross the blue line backwards. I could see it happening if a player had to try & deke a defenseman who was standing them up at the line. Or, if a player was skating backwards along the line waiting for the puck from a teammate, then getting control just before they crossed the line first (so that their backward momentum carried them in before the puck). And I'm sure there are other possibilities as well. I just don't recall noticing any of them. I think having been brought to my attention, I'll actually look more closely for this in the future. I wonder what the refs will call... ;-) Dave Hatfield UML'86 [log in to unmask] HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.