Ask a ref...

[houstone]

If a player inadvertently steps on the puck, then as he steps off, propels it into the net, does it count as a goal? It's not quite "kicking", but I am guessing it would be considered that. It almost happened last night, but the alert goalie made the stop!
Thanks,
Jeff

[riggle]

I'd like to know the Timekeeping rule for youth MET league games ... when and how do we know to set the clock for the Third Period?? I cannot find the standing rule on the new USA Hockey site!!

We get one hour on the ice, and i want to make sure the kids get the full time allotted, and be able to entrust the Timekeeper with doing this duty and have Referee concurrence. We are always aware if we start late, we still get the hour ... unless rink management gets involved.

Thanks for helping to publish the accepted method!!

[Trace777]

Its my understanding that once the puck is consumed by the goalie NOBODY has the right to keep beating the goalie with their stick whether the whistle has blown or not. Its a slashing penalty.
Goalies do not have much padding on the backside of their gloves and I have already had one finger broken at the OHL and have several whelps on my wrist and hand from all the beating of sticks (last night) after I have covered the puck up.

Something needs to be done about this or my time at the OHL will end. There are several other leagues to play in that do a much better job of protecting the goalie when he is on the ground covering a puck up.

Thanks,
Trace

[ryanjones2150]

I absolutely agree with you Trace. In our league in Beaumont, any contact with the goalie by a player's stick is a penalty.

Guys need to put themselves in the goalie's skates...that is a very vulnerable position. There is no need to whack the puck out of the goalie's glove or out from under his leg pads. This is recreational hockey, we all have to go to work the next day, including the goalie. None of us like to be whacked with sticks, why do we seem to think it is ok to beat the snot out of a goalie with our stick?

USA Hockey Official Rules, page 197, section 6, rule 633--Slashing, subsection (d) states:
"A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player who makes stick contact with an opposing goalkeeper while he is in his goal crease, who has covered or caught the puck, regardless of whether or not the Referee has stopped play."

I hope this sheds some light on the subject.

[JohnKW]

That can't be any clearer.

Now my question:

One on one, the "D" has forced the offensive player to squeeze by him and in the process the attacking player put his hands up to squeeze by - in the process he hits the "D" in the head with his stick.

Certainly not intentional but I always go by the "have control of your stick" pseudo-rule.

I don't understand how getting hit in the head with a stick while being upright (not laying on the ice) could not be high sticking.

Now I don't expect this to be called every time at this level but in this case it was the best player on their team and he scored! When I confronted him about the high stick he said "Bro - you shouldn't have gotten in my way!."

Bro? That should be a penalty in itself!

John

[ryanjones2150]

John,

I cannot say that, under the circumstances and with the information about the play provided, that it would be a high sticking penalty. It all depends on what part of the stick and how it contacted you head. The high sticking rule is one of the more clearly written rules, however, the manner in which it is written leaves enforcement up to the discretion of the ref and under the game circumstances.

Under USA Hockey rule 617--High Sticks--page 184 section (a):
"The carrying of sticks above the normal height of the shoulder is prohibited. The Referee may assess a minor or a major penalty on any player violating this rule."

However, the USA Hockey Case Book states that any time the stick contacts the head of another player, a high sticking penalty must be assessed in accordance with rule 617(a).

Sorry I couldn't be more definitive; guess I had to be there.

[JohnKW]

Ryan, thanks for the info.

In this play the entire stick was over both of our heads (and we were both skating fully upright) and it hit my head around mid shaft.

Seems both the rule and case book clearly make this a penalty.

Anyway 'nuff said. Thanks again.

[ryanjones2150]

I agree, 2 minute minor for high sticking. I've always believed that a player is responsible for his stick under all circumstances. Even if manipulating his stick around another player to gain advantage, and while doing so, inadvertently contacts the head of another player.

Due to the higher amount of head and face protection being worn these days, players have started to get a little "riskier" with their sticks and some refs are letting a little more go. We players need to get back to playing a little safer with our sticks and we refs need to get back to enforcing the high sticking penalties a little more.

We need to remember this is recreational hockey and taking unnecessary risks are always unacceptable.