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About the RIIL > Rules and Regulations > Article 22 Ice Hockey

ARTICLE 22

ICE HOCKEY

BOYS AND GIRLS

Section 1: RULES

  1. Boys and Girls
      1. Boys: All games under the jurisdiction of the RIIL shall be played according to the official National Federation of High School Associations Ice Hockey Rules, except for any special ruling adopted by the Committee.
      2. Girls: All games under the jurisdiction of the RIIL shall be played according to the official National Federation of High School Associations Ice Hockey Rules, except for any special ruling adopted by the Committee.
  2. The reading of the “NFHS Card” by officials shall take place as follows:
    1. Boys:
      1. For the 1st game, officials shall enter the locker room 20 minutes prior to the start of the game and read the NFHS Card to coaches and the entire team.
      2. For the 2nd game, officials shall enter the locker prior to the start of the 3rd period of the first game and read the NFHS Card to coaches and the entire team.
                       Girls: 
                             1. Officials will read the NFHS Card to the entire team at each team’s respective bench prior to the playing of the National Anthem or prior to the beginning of the 1st period

      C. The penalty schedule is as follows:
                             1. Fifteen (15) minute periods

   Minor penalty – two (2) minutes

   Major penalty – five

   Misconduct penalty – ten (10) minutes, team will not be short-handed

      1. Game Misconduct – a player is out of the game, team will not be short-handed
      2. Game Disqualification – A player is out of the game and the next regular scheduled RIIL League game and this disqualification will count toward a season disqualification. (Article 6)
      3. Any athlete or coach who receives a Game Disqualification penalty from any contest (non-league or league game) at any level (freshman, junior varsity, and varsity) shall be ineligible to participate until they sit out the required number of League games including all games in between. In addition, the athlete or coach must fulfill all other requirements as listed in Article 6 prior to becoming eligible to resume participation.  Because multiple games can be played on the weekend, schools are responsible to enforce the Game Disqualification penalty when Game Disqualifications occur.  
      4. Anybody receiving a penalty for fighting will automatically receive a Game Disqualification penalty.
      5. When a disturbance occurs, no player shall try to break it up or join it. All players must go to their own bench and either be at their bench, or heading toward it while the officials break up the disturbance. In no case may a player or coach leave the bench. Any player(s) not following this regulation may be subject to a Game Disqualification penalty.
D. Penalty Rules for players who have exceeded the allowed number of penalty minutes during the regular league season and playoffs. Penalty Minutes must be reported using MaxPreps within 24 hours of the completion of a game.  Rationale: Penalize players who continue to accumulate major penalties, which are extreme by definition and jeopardize the health and safety of others.
  1. It is the responsibility of the school to enforce these rules and sit out any player who accumulates exceeds any of the penalty minute levels below. As outlined in Article 6: Penalties: If a school allows any player or coach to participate when they are required to sit out, the game(s) shall be forfeited.
  2. Progressive Consequences:
    1. All penalties and penalty minutes for all players must be recorded on the hockey scoresheet by the officials
    2. Any player who accumulates 50 or more penalty minutes during the 18 game regular season will be suspended for the next two (2) league games and any non-league games in between (including playoffs).
      1. Teams that schedule more than 18 league or non-league games can accrue an additional 2.5 minutes for each game played up to the game cap.
      2. The following penalties that accrue towards the limits:
        1. Minor penalties (2 minutes)
        2. Double-Minor penalties (4 minutes)
        3. Major penalties (5 minutes)
        4. Game Misconducts (10 minutes)
        5. Game Disqualifications (5 minute major and 10 game misconduct)
          1. Game Disqualifications count as an Ejection and the student must sit the next league game
    3. At the conclusion of the regular season, the first level of penalty minutes will be raised from 50 penalty minutes to 60 penalty minutes for the playoffs. Any player who accumulates 60 or more penalty minutes (regular season and playoffs combined) will be suspended for the next (2) playoff games.
    4. In addition, any player who accumulates a total of 70 or more penalty minutes will be suspended for the remainder of the hockey season (including playoffs).
    5. If the player accumulates the 50/60/70 penalty minutes level during the last game of the season, he/she will sit out the first two (2) league ice hockey games in the next year or if a senior, they must sit out the first two (2) league games in the next sport season.
    6. Special Circumstances:
      1. Players that accumulate 4 minor penalties in one game = game misconduct (10 minutes) and must sit out the next league game. (Does not count as an ejection).
      2. Players that accumulate 2 major penalties will be counted as a game disqualification of 15 minutes plus 10 minutes equaling 25 minutes.
      3. A player who is called for a major, misconduct, double minor or roughing in the last minute of the game will be ineligible to play the first five minutes of the next scheduled game. The team, however, will not be short-handed. It is the responsibility of the school coach or AD to make sure that the player is placed in the Penalty Box at the beginning of the next game and may not leave the Penalty Box until the first whistle signifying a stoppage of play after the penalty has elapsed.  Failure to adhere to this stipulation must be reported to the RIIL and the student will be mandated for the next game with additional consequences to the coach.
  • Penalty Reporting Process:
    1. Students who attain 50/60/70 penalty minutes must be reported by the school to the RIIL office.
    2. The RIIL will assign a Penalty Minute Coordinator (PMC).
    3. The Home team Head Coach is responsible for sending the scoresheet for every game to the Penalty Minute Coordinator in a legible, digital format (scan or photo preferred).
      1. Exception:  When a game is played out-of-state or at a non-RIIL school, the RIIL member school is responsible to send the scoresheet to the PMC
    4. The PMC will enter all Penalty Minutes that accrue into MaxPreps on a weekly basis.

         E. Hockey Coach Ejection – A hockey coach who is ejected from any game is subject to penalties listed in Article 6 of the Rules and Regulations of the RIIL. In addition, a major penalty will be assessed on the team at the time of the ejection.

        F. Player ejection: a player ejected from an ice hockey game must leave the ice and bench area immediately. The ejected player is to go to the locker room in the accompany of an adult school official/school supervisor/coach for the remainder of the game. Failure to report will result in further penalties as listed in Article 6, Penalties.


        G. A player who is called for a minor penalty after a whistle is blown shall be assessed a double minor penalty unless the penalty called for is a major penalty.

       H. Any player cited for malicious use of the stick at any height and distance shall receive a game disqualification penalty. A player shall be disqualified for swinging his/her stick even though she/he does not strike his/her opponent. Intentional spearing and or butting is malicious use of the stick and will be penalized accordingly.
 
        I. In order to avoid any liability for dental injuries as well as to ensure no unfair competitive advantage to teams not observing the rule, “All players, including goalkeepers, shall wear and have            properly inserted into their mouth during the course of play a properly fitted tooth and mouth protector” that meets all standards and regulations listed in the most recent NFHS Ice Hockey                Rules Book. Violations will result in the penalties listed in the most recent NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book.

        J. It is the school's responsibility to ensure that NO player shall be allowed on the ice without proper protection as listed in the most recent NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book.

        K. Helmets must be worn by all players while on the bench and at all times on the ice, which includes the congratulatory handshake at the end of the game. Failure to adhere to this rule will                result in a bench minor (penalty). 

        L. Goaltender's helmets must be in complete compliance with the standards listed in the most recent NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book.

Section 2: SCHEDULE/GAMES

Mercy Rule in All Divisions.  In the third period only, running time will commence if there is an eight (8) goal difference in the score. If, during the third period, the score becomes less than eight goals, regular stop time will be re-instituted.

Game Format:

  • Each regular match will play (3) three 15 minute periods.
  • New Overtime Procedures in 23-24:
  • If it is necessary to break a tie at the end of regulation, one five (5) minute sudden death overtime period will be played with each team fielding 4 players for the overtime period.
    • This applies to all Divisions.
    • Team first scoring in the overtime period wins, ending the game. 
  • If the game remains tied at the end of the single Overtime Period, a Five person shootout will follow. 
    • Which team shoots first will be decided by the home team.
  • If the game remains tied at the end of the shootout, the game will be declared a tie. 
  • Teams that win League games in regulation or overtime will earn 2 points in the regular season standings. 
  • Teams that lose in an overtime League game will earn 1 point in the regular season standings. 
  • If the overtime and shootout ends in a tie, each team will earn 1 point in the regular season standings.
A.  No team shall play more than three (3) games in any one (1) week (Sun – Sat).
B.  No game shall consist of periods longer than fifteen (15) minutes.
C.  Warm-up time between 2nd and 3rd periods: Upon stepping onto the ice between 2nd and 3rd periods, players can skate around the arena, providing time for stretching and warming up. When        the whistle is blown to begin play, those who will be playing go directly to the face-off area and all others return to the bench.
D. The definition of time-outs between periods is as follows: Two (2) minutes between regular periods and two (2) minutes before each overtime.
E. The home school should provide the services of a licensed doctor and/or a licensed athletic trainer at all hockey games. The medical personnel must introduce themselves to both coaches and referee prior to the start of the game. They shall sit on their respective team bench so that they will be available at all times.

Section 3: POSTPONEMENTS

The postponement and/or rescheduling of regular season ice hockey games shall be the responsibility of the host school. 

Section 4: OFFICIALS

RIIL assigned official’s authority extends to before, during and after the game. Fighting and unsportsmanlike penalties will be within the authority of the officials at all times at the contest site.


Section 5: PLAYOFFS

The Championship Playoffs will be conducted under the direction of the Director of Hockey in a format determined by the Director of Hockey, approved by the Committee and published with the RIIL Hockey Schedule.

  1. To determine the RIIL standing, two points will be given for each victory. In an overtime game, the winner will earn two points and the loser will earn one point. An overtime game that ends in a tie, each team will receive one point.
  2. Qualification rating for the final RIIL Standing will be determined in this order as may be necessary:
    1. Most points in regular season league games
    2. Head to head RIIL competition
    3. Least goals scored against in regular season league games
    4. Tie-breaking special game

Boys and Girls – Playoff matches shall consist of three fifteen (15) minute periods.

New Overtime Procedures in 23-24: If a tie exists at the end of regulation, the following format will be followed during all playoff games except the championship game:

  1. First Overtime Period: If the game remains tied at the end of Regulation, teams will play one seven and one half (7 1/2) minute sudden death period. Each team will field 5 players for the first overtime period.
  2. Second Overtime Period: If the game remains tied at the end of the First OT, teams will play a second seven and one half (7 1/2) minute sudden death period. Each team will field 4 players for the overtime period.
  3. Third Overtime Period: If the game remains tied at the end of the Second OT, teams will play a third seven and one half (7 1/2) minute sudden death period. Each team will field 3 players for the overtime period.
  4. Shootout: If the game remains tied at the end of the Third OT, each team will provide 5 players for a shootout. Which team shoots first will be decided by the home team.  Team scoring the most goals will be declared the winner of the game. 
  5. If the game remains tied at the end of the First Shootout, a Second Shootout is approved with each team providing one shooter. Which team shoots first will be decided with a flip of a coin. The winner of the tossed coin will choose to take the first shot or allow the looser of the coin flip to take the first shot. The team scoring a goal after both teams have an opportunity to shoot will be declared the winner of the game.  Each set of two shooters will be treated as a separate shootout and continue until a winner is declared.  

New Overtime Procedures in 23-24: If a tie exists at the end of regulation during a Championship Game, the following format will be followed:

  1. First Overtime Period: If the game remains tied at the end of Regulation, teams will play one seven and one half (7 1/2) minute sudden death period. Each team will field 5 players for the first overtime period.
  2. Second Overtime Period: If the game remains tied at the end of the First OT, teams will play a second seven and one half (7 1/2) minute sudden death period. Each team will field 4 players for the overtime period.
  3. Third Overtime Period: If the game remains tied at the end of the Second OT, teams will play a third seven and one half (7 1/2) minute sudden death period. Each team will field 3 players for the overtime period.
  4. If the game remains tied at the end of the Third OT, teams will play seven and one half (7 1/2) minute sudden death periods UNTIL A GOAL IS SCORED AND WINNER IS DECLARED.