At 01:05 PM 1/4/97 -0600, John R. Nash wrote: > In the UVM/UW game in the Showdown, there was a point in the game >when a Vermont player played a significant amount of time with a broken >stick (blade snapped off). I had always thought that "playing with a >broken stick" was a minor penalty for safety reason, but nothing was >called. Can anyone clarify the rule for me? > Also, a few times during the tourney I saw a player whose helmet >was knocked of continue playing for a while. As I understood the rule, I >thought that the player was obligated to skate immediately to the bench >upon losing his helmet. Again, has there been a change? Also, if a player >is not allowed to play w/o a hemlet, can he skate over and pick up the >dislodged helmet and put it back on? > Rule 6-5.a of the 1997 NCAA rule book states: A player without a stick may participate in the game. A player whose stick is broken may participate in the game provided the individual drops the broken stick. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this rule. Note: A broken stick is one that, in the opinion of the official, is unfit for normal play. A stick with a chipped or cracked blade shall not be considered a broken stick, provided such a blade is entirely covered with tape and there are no projecting points. End of Quote Goaltenders are allowed to play with broken sticks. Rule 3-4.b of the 1997 NCAA rule book states: It is compulsory for all players, including goalkeepers, to wear ice hockey helmets with chin straps securely fastened. Football helmets may not be worn. A player, excluding goalkeepers, whose helmet and/or facemask has come off during play, must replace the helmet and/or facemask immediately or go to the players' bench. A player not conforming to this rule shall be assessed a minor penalty. If a goalkeeper's mask and/or helmet is displaced, there shall be an immediate whistle. Scott Spooner [log in to unmask] University of Michigan NCAA Hockey Champions, '48,'51,'52,'53,'55,'56,'64,'96 HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.