Martin, the new Commissioner, has sent out the proposed rule changes that could be effective Summer Session 2010. I’ll just touch on the main points…
- If, at the end of the three (3) regular twelve (12) minute periods, the score shall be tied, each team shall be awarded one point in the League standings.
- Overtime period is reduced to three (3) minutes running clock with the team scoring first declared the winner and being awarded an additional point.
- During this overtime period players are not allowed to make changes after the whistle, they are only allowed to change “on the fly”.
- Shoot-Outs:
- A shoot-out will commence for all games that are not decided with an overtime period. Previously, this was reserved for playoffs only.
- Players who score a hat-trick are eligible to participate in the shoot out.
- All players are eligible to participate in the shootout unless they are serving a penalty.
- Each team can use only one Upper Tier player in the shootout. If one of the teams does not have Upper Tier player participating in the game, then the opposite team’s Upper Tier player is not eligible to participate in the Shootout.
- Each team will be given three shots, unless the outcome is determined earlier in the shootout.
- After each team has taken three shots, if the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a “sudden death” format. No player may shoot twice until everyone who is eligible has shot.
- The general rules for a penalty shot were laid out, including: The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete. Does this mean they’ll actually call penalty shots now? Who knows.
- The fines/suspensions for different offenses were laid out. The only one that concerned me was: Abuse of officials – game misconduct = one to five weeks suspension + 25 dollar fine. I’m wondering what this includes? Back talking, Cursing, who knows?
- Mercy Rule Option - The losing team by 6 goals will be given an option of a running clock. This decision can be overruled by the referees in case the game is going out of reach with too many penalties and the losing team is not acting appropriately.
- The Sunday D-Leagues have been re-organized. You check out the new order here.
- Players coming into the game late must wait until the end of the period. Then he together with his captain will contact the referees and scorekeeper to sign his name on the score sheet based on the late check-in paper.
- 3 penalties in one game won’t be assessed as game misconduct penalty anymore, which is inconsistent with USAH rules. It will be assessed as a CAHL game-ejection penalty.
Overall I’m pretty satisfied with the changes that are being made. What do you guys think?
Tags: CAHL, Chiller League, Rule Change, Shoot-outs
These sound reasonable. Not sure of the last one, an ejection is an ejection-seems like symantics in wording to me. I like the new O/T format, could shorten some games. I would also like to add that consideration of automatic ejection for a roughing call that involves an intentional shot to the head. This would be much like the current NHL effort and in alignment with the CDC’s (center for disease control) to reduce sports related injuries, ie. concussions-which have recurrent susceptibility and long-term effects! This is recreational hockey, not a development camp for NHL scouts! I was the recipient of a heavy elbow to the helmet that put me to the ice after I stole the puck. He (#22 of Foxes & Hounds) became frustrated did draw a roughing 2-minute penalty- which he argued -(unsuccessfully). It should be an automatic ejection, and not lessened to 2-minutes just because the recipient of such actions decides to not escalate the circumstance by fighting. Exercising restraint to not “throw down” does not lessen the offense! Also, when I’m called for a penalty, I just go straight to the sin bin. Saying something smart and arguing has never stoked for me, besides it SHOULD also draw an automatic addition of 2-minutes. I think the refs have been VERY lenient in this area. Looking forward to new rules. Thoughts?
Hate the shootout idea. I understand it for playoffs because someone does have to win and time is limited. Regular season games, i have no problem with ties. As to getting a point for going to OT and an extra for the OT win i can give or take.
I haven’t read the USAH rule book lately. Are the extra point or the shootout consistent with it?
I am going to email Martin and let him know that i a consider the shootout a terrible way to decide a team game.
mpn
@Michael You don’t really lose anything by going to a shoot-out. You’ll still get your 1 point that you used to get, but now you have a 50/50 chance of getting 2 points. I don’t really see the downside. I personally dislike ending in a tie. I think every game should end with a definitive winner. Why work your ass off just to tie someone? I’ve been in games where I feel my team is the dominating team, but due to the nature of luck, we ended tied after 3 periods. Then the opposing team, realizing the same thing, tries to turtle their way to a tie. Its extremely frustrating when you know if the game were to go to a shoot-out, or double/triple overtime your team would be victorious.
@FireonIce I’m sorry to hear about that blow to the head. That’s pretty unfortunate. I agree that if the referees can identify that a player has the intent to hurt another skater, the time served should be amplified for the penalty, or even toss a player from the game. A little slashing while trying to prevent a goal on a break away, and hitting someone like your going for a home run probably shouldn’t be treated as equivalent penalties. But then you have to leave it as a judgment call for the referees.