PHYSICAL CONTACT
The Ontario Government Laws state, “Team sports may only be practiced or played within the facility if they do not allow for physical contact between players or if they have been modified to avoid physical contact between the players.”
It is important to recognize that the Ontario Government has permitted competition with the express understanding that rules have been modified to eliminate intentional physical contact. Playing the game of hockey without intentional physical contact represents a significant shift from traditional hockey, as such,
it is the equal and collective responsibility of all participants (players, bench staff, officials) to create and adhere to the game play structure that eliminates intentional physical contact.
https://e-registration.omha.net/OMHAPortal/Download/Rulesfor3-on-3and4-on-4Hockey_Sept25.pdf?utm_source=2020-21+Centre+Mailing&utm_campaign=4c1d14b8fa-Centre_Mailing_Jan_09_2020_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e923974a8f-4c1d14b8fa-3866727
Here are the highlights.
Within the modified playing rules, game officials will encourage and promote continuous play to the greatest extent possible. Simply stated: Game officials will call the game as they see it with the focus of eliminating all intentional physical contact.
It is the expectation of the Ontario Hockey Federation that coaches are teaching and promoting during practice and games team tactics that eliminate all intentional physical contact and promote continuous play.
MODIFIED PLAYING RULES
All Major Penalties, Gross Misconduct Penalties and Match Penalties will be applied in accordance with current Hockey Canada playing rules.
For modified playing rules involving intentional physical contact, the game official will provide one warning to BOTH TEAMS on account of the first minor penalty involving intentional physical contact, any subsequent minor penalty from this list will result in immediate removal from competition. An individual player does not require an individual warning prior to removal, the warning will be directed at the Head Coach. It is the responsibility of the head coach to manage their team and relay the warning. Minor penalties have been modified to align with the elimination of intentional physical contact.
OHF Members are required to track game ejections for intentional physical contact and have the authority to impose supplementary discipline to repeat offenders.
GAME PLAY
Pre-game on-ice warm up 5 minutes
Two periods (run time) of equal length 22 minute periods
Intermission / break between periods 1 minute
Teams shall alternate ends between each period
No faceoffs Period 1 – visiting team has first possession Period 2 – home team has first possession
No overtime / no shootout for tied games
A player that loses a glove must immediately retrieve the glove or leave the ice
GAME ROSTER
Maximum 10 participants per team 9 players plus 1 goaltender
Both teams must start the game with a minimum of 5 players plus 1 goaltender OR 6 players.
LINE CHANGES
U7-U9 -- 1.5 minute shifts (time keeper will sound the horn to notify shift change). Regardless of the team in possession of the puck when the buzzer sounds, the defending team will always be given possession of the puck at the buzzer. It will be the position of the puck relative to the centre red line (centre ice) that will determine defending and attacking teams. The defending team will be allowed to gain full possession of the puck before the attacking team can apply pressure. The official will monitor this and will blow the whistle if a puck gathering or puck scrum occurs
U11-U21-- Change on the fly
Designated bench entry and exit doors
GOALS
When a goal is scored the team that scored the goat must all retreat from the offensive zone. All players from the team that scored the goal must simultaneously make contact with the center red line (center ice) before they can proceed to apply pressure to the team that was scored upon. Team that scores must all retreat to center ice before returning to the offensive half of the ice.
No contact between players to celebrate goals
ICING
U7-U9 There is no icing in cross ice hockey
U11 - U21 Icing the puck results in a change of possession. The official will blow the whistle, we recommend that the official also verbally identify the icing infraction (yell icing). The team that Iced the puck must all retreat to the center red line (center ice). All players from the team that Iced the puck must simultaneously make contact with the center red line AND allow the other team to regain puck possession and uncontested control before they can return to the offensive side of the ice.
OFFSIDE
U5-U9 There is no offsides in cross ice hockey
U11-U21 Offside will result in a change of possession. The official will blow the whistle, we recommend that the official also verbally identify the offside infraction (yell offside). All players from the team that was offside must retreat to the centre red line (center ice). All players from the offside team must simultaneously be in contact with the center red line before they can return to the offensive side of the ice
GOALTENDER FREEZES THE PUCK
When the goaltender freezes the puck, the attacking team must exit the offensive zone and simultaneously make contact with the BLUE line (all players simultaneously in neutral zone) before re-entering the zone.. Officials are encouraged to work with participants to promote continuous play, if the Official is required to stop the play then the whistle will be blown.
PENALTIES
The Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2020-2022 apply for all infractions
Penalty shots will be awarded for penalties as per:
- 2 min penalties = 1 penalty shot
- 4+ min penalties = 2 penalty shots
- All major penalties will result in 2 penalty shots and an ejection from the game
When assessing a penalty, the Referee will be in a position to clearly see the benches giving the penalty signal and then holding up one finger for one penalty shot and two for two penalty shots. On completion will skate into position for the penalty shot.
If off-setting coincidental penalties are assessed, play shall be stopped immediately with the offending players sent off the ice to the players’ bench, regardless of the team in possession of the puck when the whistle was blown the defending team will be given possession and the attacking team will retreat until the official is satisfied and the defending team has gained puck possession. The official will blow their whistle to signal play has resumed.
If a delayed penalty is called near the end of the game and the clock runs out, and where the result of the penalty shot(s) could change the outcome of the game, the penalty shot(s) will be taken. If the outcome of the penalty shot(s) would have no impact on the outcome of the game, the penalty shot(s) will not be taken
If a team has no goaltender and a penalty shot is assess, the opposing team will be awarded a goal for each penalty shot.
Misconduct penalties will result in NO penalty shot. The timekeeper will put 10-minutes on the penalty clock and the player must remain on team bench until 10-minutes has expired. If there is no timekeeper.
As per the Equipment rule, players must pick up all loose equipment on the ice before proceeding to the players’ bench. If a player picks up a broken stick, they will not be assessed a Minor penalty/penalty shot as all loose equipment must be cleared off the ice. If they get involved in the play with the broken stick a penalty shot will be awarded.