Progressive Penalties
This week we had our first major penalty in the RHL for Fighting. Rule 615. Fighting carries an automatic game misconduct. Rule 404(b). The player in question is suspended for the next previously scheduled game as a result.

A couple things you might not know.

Rule 615 - Fighting is not one of the penalties covered by the new Progressive Penalty Rule, Rule 411. Rule 615 has its own progression. A second fight in the same season on the same team results in an automatic three game suspension.

With regards to player substitution, classically, a player is placed in the penalty box to "serve" the 5 minute major since the offending player has been removed from the game (Game Misconduct). Under Rule 403(d) governing Major penalties, the offending team need not immediately place a player to "serve" the penalty. The offending team may choose to place the player at a later time (but before the penalty expires) during a stoppage of play. However, if a player in not in the box at the time the penalty expires, he MAY NOT come from the bench. That team must wait for a stoppage of play and place a player in the box even if the penalty has already expired. That player can then leave the box and join play at the resumption of the game. This rule only applies to Adults and Junior. 

The RHL just wanted to check-in and see how the league is going. With the implementation of a reference for rules this season, there have been some questions regarding recent calls and interpretations. Please know, that if you have any questions about the rules, please do not hesitate to ask the official. For the next couple of weeks, we'll address some real-life calls that happened and reference the USA Hockey Rule Book.

Eye Protection
Rule 304(c) on p.22-23 covers the rule for wearing helmets. You are not required to wear a HECC (certified) approved helmet but you must wear a helmet and it must be fastened (Yes Baslaw can wear his 50 year old helmet). The USA Hockey Rules do not require eye protection or a face mask. However, the RHL does require eye protection as a minimum ("Eddie Rule"). This eye protection need not be HECC approved.

Referees will be enforcing the rules regarding proper equipment.

Faceoff-Locations
In week three, there was some confusion as to where a face-off should take place during a delayed penalty when the non-offending team ices the puck. The correct call would be to move the face-off to the nearest neutral zone face-off dot.

Also note that unlike the NHL or Junior Leagues, there is not automatically an offensive zone face-off for the non-offending team.

Please see Rule 409(a) page 42.

USA Hockey does not use the 9-dot face-off rule. It uses the imaginary "H", if you will, allowing faceoffs between the two end dots at any point where stoppage of play occurs.

Please see Rule 612(b) page 65.

Boarding
In an effort to reduce injury producing situations, USA Hockey has placed an emphasis on the following type of penalties: Boarding, Charging, Checking from Behind, and Head Contact. In all of these cases, there is no longer a minor penalty only option. All of these penalties carry a minor penalty plus a misconduct (10) penalty. See the following:

603(a) - Boarding on page 60
607(a) - Charging on page 62
608(a) - Checking from Behind on page 63
620(a) - Head Contact on page 72

We've directed the referees to call these penalties with strong consideration, but should these infractions occur, we are encouraging them to call it properly. We all don't want to get hurt as we all have jobs the next day.

Delayed Penalties
In week three, we saw a delayed penalty situation. Offending team already had a player in the box (or even two players). A delayed penalty is signaled. The non-offending team scores a goal. The proper sequence would be to expire the least timed penalty of a player currently in the box (not the player on the ice for which the delayed signal had been given). The delayed penalty would be called and recorded and the offending player must serve his/her entire penalty.

See Rule 409(b) on page 43

Good stuff this weekend and thanks for the emails and calls about the Rules. Have a great Week 4.