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Rule 43. Adjustment to Clothing or Equipment a.Play shall not be stopped nor the game delayed by reasons of adjustments to clothing, equipment, skates or sticks. For an infringement of this rule, a minor penalty shall be given. b.The onus of maintaining clothing and equipment in proper condition shall be upon the player. If adjustments are required, the player shall leave the ice and play shall continue with a substitute. c.No delay shall be permitted for the repair or adjustment of goalkeeper's equipment. If adjustments are required, the goalkeeper shall leave the ice and his place shall be taken by the substitute goalkeeper immediately. d.For an infraction of this rule by a goalkeeper, a minor penalty shall be imposed. Rule 44. Attempt to Injure a.A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately attempts to injure an opponent and the circumstances shall be reported to the Commissioner for further action. A substitute for the penalized player shall be permitted at the end of the fifth minute. b.A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately attempts to injure an Official, Manager, Coach or Trainer in any manner and the circumstances shall be reported to the Commissioner for further action. (See also Rule 67 - Physical Abuse of Officials). (NOTE) The Commissioner, upon preliminary investigation indicating the probable imposition of supplementary disciplinary action, may order the immediate suspension of a player who has incurred a match penalty under this rule, pending the final determination of such supplementary disciplinary action. Rule 45. Board Checking and Checking from Behind a.A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be imposed on any player who bodychecks, cross-checks, elbows, charges or trips an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards. (NOTE) Any unnecessary contact with a player playing the puck on an obvious "icing" or "off-side" play which results in that player being knocked into the boards is "boarding" and must be penalized as such. In other instances where there is no contact with the boards, it should be treated as "charging". Rolling an opponent (if he is the puck carrier) along the boards where he is endeavoring to go through too small an opening is not boarding. However, if the opponent is not the puck carrier, then such action should be penalized as boarding, charging, interference or, if the arms or stick are employed, it should be called holding or hooking. b.When a major penalty is imposed under this rule, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed. c.When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, an automatic game misconduct shall be imposed. d.Any player who cross-checks, pushes or charges from behind an opponent who is unable to defend himself, shall be assessed a major and a game misconduct. This penalty applies anywhere on the playing surface. e.In regular season games any player who incurs a total of two game misconduct penalties for board-checking under Rule 45(c) and (d) shall be suspended automatically for the next League game of his team. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game. In playoff games, any player who incurs a total of two game misconduct penalties for board-checking under Rule 45(c) and (d) shall be suspended automatically for the next playoff game of his team. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty during the playoffs the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game. Rule 46. Broken Stick a.A player without a stick may participate in the game. A player whose stick is broken may participate in the game provided he drops the broken portion. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this rule. (NOTE) A broken stick is one which, in the opinion of the Referee, is unfit for normal play. b.A goalkeeper may continue to play with a broken stick until stoppage of play or until he has been legally provided with a stick. c.A player who has lost or broken his stick may only receive a stick at his own players' bench or be handed one from a teammate on the ice and may not receive a stick thrown on the ice from any part of the rink. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this rule. (NOTE) A player tendered a stick thrown on the ice from the players' or penalty bench who does not pick up the stick, will not receive a penalty. The person responsible for throwing the stick will receive the penalty, as covered in Rule 62 - Inteference. d.A goalkeeper whose stick is broken or illegal may not go to the players' bench for a replacement but must receive his stick from a teammate. For an infraction of this rule, a minor penalty shall be imposed on the goalkeeper. Rule 47. Charging a.A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who runs or jumps into or charges an opponent. b.When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in injury to the face or head of an opponent, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed. c.A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who charges a goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is within his goal crease. (NOTE) If more than two steps or strides are taken, it shall be considered a charge. A goalkeeper is NOT "fair game" just because he is outside the goal crease area. A penalty for interference or charging (minor or major) should be called in every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper. Likewise, Referees should be alert to penalize goalkeepers for tripping, slashing or spearing in the vicinity of the goal. Rule 48. Cross-Checking a.A minor, double minor, or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on a player who "cross-checks" an opponent. (NOTES) 1.Cross-check shall mean a check delivered with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice. 2.A double minor penalty must be assessed for cross-checks delivered to the neck or head area, unless a major or match penalty (Rule 44 - Attempt to Injure or (Rule 49 - Deliberate Injury) is assessed. 3.When a major penalty is assessed for cross-checking, an automatic game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on the offending player. b.When a major penalty is imposed under this rule, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall also be imposed. Rule 49. Deliberate Injury of Opponents a.A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner. (NOTE) Any player wearing tape or any other material on his hands (below the wrist) who cuts or injures an opponent during an altercation shall receive a match penalty under this rule. b.In addition to the match penalty, the player shall be automatically suspended from further competition until the Commissioner has ruled on the issue. c.No substitute shall be permitted to take the place of the penalized player until five minutes of actual playing time have elapsed from the time the penalty was imposed. d.A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately injures an official, Manager, Coach or Trainer in any manner and the circumstances shall be reported to the Commissioner for further action. Rule 50. Delaying the Game a.A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who delays the game by deliberately shooting or batting the puck with his stick outside the playing area. (NOTES) 1.When the goalkeeper shoots the puck directly (non-deflected) out of the playing surface, except where there is no glass, a penalty shall be assessed for delaying the game. 2.This penalty shall also apply when a player or goalkeeper deliberately bats or shoots the puck with his stick outside the playing area after a stoppage of play. b.A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who throws or deliberately bats the puck with his hand or stick outside the playing area. c.A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player (including the goalkeeper) who delays the game by deliberately displacing a goal post from its normal position. The Referee or Linesmen shall stop play immediately when a goal post has been displaced. If the goal post is deliberately displaced by a goalkeeper or player during the course of a "breakaway", a penalty shot will be awarded to the non-offending team, which shot shall be taken by the player last in possession of the puck. (NOTE) A player with a "breakaway" is defined as a player in control of the puck with no opposition between him and the opposing goal and with a reasonable scoring opportunity. In the event that a goalpost is deliberately displaced by a defending player or goalkeeper, prior to the puck crossing the goal line between the normal position of the goalposts, the Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty under Rule 50(c) (paragraph 1), a penalty shot under Rule 50(d), or award a goal. d.If by reason of insufficient time in the regular playing time or by reason of penalties already imposed, the minor penalty assessed to a player for deliberately displacing his own goal post cannot be served in its entirety within the regular playing time of the game or at any time in overtime, a penalty shot shall be awarded against the offending team. e.A bench minor penalty shall be imposed upon any team which, after warning by the Referee to its Captain or Alternate Captain to place the correct number of players on the ice and commence play, fails to comply with the Referee's direction and thereby causes any delay by making additional substitutions, by persisting in having its players off-side, or in any other manner. Rule 51. Elbowing, Kneeing and Head-Butting a.A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who uses his elbow or knee in such a manner as to in any way foul an opponent. b.When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to an opponent, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall also be imposed. c.A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately "head-butts" or attempts to "head-butt" or knees an opponent during an altercation and the circumstances shall be reported to the Commissioner for further action. A substitute player is permitted to replace the penalized player after five minutes playing time has elapsed when the penalty is imposed under Rule 44 - Attempt to Injure or Rule 49 - Deliberate Injury of Opponents. Rule 52. Face-Offs a.The puck shall be "faced-off" by the Referee or the Linesman dropping the puck on the ice between the sticks of the players "facing-off". Players facing-off will stand squarely facing their opponent's end of the rink approximately one stick length apart with the blade of their sticks on the ice. When the face-off takes place in any of the end face-off circles, the players taking part shall take their position so that they will stand squarely facing their opponent's end of the rink. The sticks of both players facing-off shall have the blade on the ice within the designated white area. The visiting player shall place his stick within the designated white area first. No other player shall be allowed to enter the face-off circle or come within fifteen feet of the players facing-off the puck and must stand on side on all face-offs. If a violation of this sub-section of this rule occurs, the Referee or Linesman shall re-face the puck. b.If after warning by the Referee or Linesman, either of the players fails to take his proper position for the face-off promptly, the official shall be entitled to face-off the puck notwithstanding such default. c.In the conduct of any face-off anywhere on the playing surface, no player facing-off shall make any physical contact with his opponent's body by means of his own body or by his stick except in the course of playing the puck after the face-off has been completed. For violation of this rule, the Referee shall impose a minor penalty or penalties on the player(s) whose action(s) caused the physical contact. (NOTE) "Conduct of any face-off" commences when the Referee designates the place of the face-off and he (or the Linesman) takes up his position to drop the puck. d.If a player facing-off fails to take his proper position immediately when directed by the official, the official may order him replaced for that face-off by any teammate then on the ice. No substitution of players shall be permitted until the face-off has been completed and play has resumed except when a penalty is imposed which affects the on-ice strength of either team. e.A second violation of any of the provisions of sub-section (a) hereof by the same team during the same face-off shall be penalized with a minor penalty to the player who commits the second violation of the rule. The official must drop the puck twice in order to have a second face-off violation. During end zone face-offs, all other players on the ice must position their bodies and sticks on their own side of the restraining lines marked on the outer edge of the face-off circles. If a player other than the player taking the face-off moves into the face-off circle prior to the dropping of the puck, then the offending team's player taking the face-off shall be ejected from the face-off circle. If a violation of this rule occurs, the Referee or Linesman shall order another face-off, unless the non-offending team wins the draw. f.When an infringement of a rule has been committed or a stoppage of play has been caused by any player of the attacking side in the attacking zone, the ensuing face-off shall be made in the neutral zone on the nearest face-off spot. (NOTE) This includes stoppage of play caused by a player of the attacking side shooting the puck on the back of the defending team's net without any intervening action by the defending team. g.When an infringement of a rule has been committed by players of both sides in the play resulting in the stoppage, the ensuing face-off will be made at the place of such infringement or at the place where play is stopped. h.When stoppage occurs between the end face-off spots and near end of the rink, the puck shall be faced-off at the end face-off spot on the side where the stoppage occurs unless otherwise expressly provided by these rules. i.No face-off shall be made within fifteen feet of the goal or sideboards. j.When a goal is illegally scored as a result of a puck being deflected directly off an Official anywhere in the defending zone, the resulting face-off shall be made at the end face-off spot in the defending zone. k.When the game is stopped for any reason not specifically covered in the official rules, the puck must be faced-off where it was last played. l.The whistle will not be blown by the official to start play. Playing time will commence from the instant the puck is faced-off and will stop when the whistle is blown or a goal is scored. m.Following a stoppage of play, should one or both defensemen who are the point players or any player coming from the bench of the attacking team, enter into the attacking zone beyond the outer edge of the corner face-off circle, the ensuing face-off shall take place in the neutral zone near the blue line of the defending team. Rule 53. Falling on Puck a.A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player other than the goalkeeper who deliberately falls on or gathers the puck into his body. (NOTE) Any player who drops to his knees to block a shot should not be penalized if the puck is shot under him or becomes lodged in his clothing or equipment but any use of the hands to make the puck unplayable should be penalized promptly. b.A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goalkeeper who, when he is in his own goal crease, deliberately falls on or gathers the puck into his body or who holds or places the puck against any part of the goal in such a manner as to cause a stoppage of play unless he is actually being checked by an opponent. (NOTE) Refer to Rule 74(b) - Puck Must Be Kept In Motion for the Rule governing freezing of the puck by a goalkeeper outside of his crease area. c.No defending player, except the goalkeeper, will be permitted to fall on the puck, hold the puck or gather the puck into the body or hands when the puck is within the goal crease. For infringement of this rule, play shall immediately be stopped and a penalty shot shall be ordered against the offending team, but no other penalty shall be given. (NOTE) The rule shall be interpreted so that a penalty shot will be awarded only when the puck is in the crease at the instant the offense occurs. However, in cases where the puck is outside the crease, Rule 53(a) may still apply and a minor penalty may be imposed, even though no penalty shot is awarded. Rule 54. Fisticuffs (NOTE) An altercation is a situation involving two players, with at least one to be penalized. a.A major penalty shall be imposed on any player who engages in fisticuffs. In addition, a minor or a major and/or a game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player involved in fisticuffs. A player deemed to be the instigator of fisticuffs shall be assessed a game misconduct. This is in addition to the applicable minor (for instigation) or major penalty deemed worthy by the Referee. If such player is wearing a face shield, he shall be assessed an additional minor penalty. These penalties are in addition to any other penalty incurred in the same incident. A player who deliberately removes his sweater prior to participating in an altercation shall be assessed a minor penalty for instigation and a game misconduct. This is in addition to other penalties to be assessed to the participants of an altercation. b.A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who, having been struck, shall retaliate with a blow or attempted blow. However, at the discretion of the Referee, a major or a double-minor penalty or a game misconduct penalty may be imposed if such player continues the altercation. (NOTES) 1.It is the intent and purpose of this rule that the Referee shall impose the "major and game misconduct" penalty in all cases where the instigator or retaliator of the fight is the aggressor and is plainly doing so for the purpose of intimidation or punishment. 2.The Referee is provided very wide latitude in the penalties which he may impose under this rule. This is done intentionally to enable him to differentiate between the obvious degrees of responsibility of the participants either for starting the fighting or persisting in continuing the fighting. The discretion provided should be exercised realistically. 3.Referees are directed to employ every means provided by these rules to stop "brawling" and should use this rule and Rules 42(e) and (f) - Abuse of Officials and other Misconduct. 4.Any player wearing tape or any other material on his hands (below the wrist) who cuts or injures an opponent during an altercation will receive a match penalty under Rule 49 - Deliberate Injury of Opponents. c.A misconduct or game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player involved in fisticuffs off the playing surface or with another player who is off the playing surface. d.A game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who is the first to intervene in an altercation then in progress except when a match penalty is being imposed in the original altercation. This penalty is in addition to any other penalty incurred in the same incident. e.When a fight occurs, all players not engaged shall go immediately to the area of their players' bench and in the event the altercation takes place at a players' bench, the players on the ice from that team shall go to their defensive zone. Failure to comply with the Rule shall, in addition to the other penalties that may be assessed, result in a fine to the team of $1,000 and the Coach of said team in the amount of $1,000. f.A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who is assessed a major penalty for fighting after the original altercation. Notwithstanding this rule, at the discretion of the Referee, the automatic game misconduct penalty may be waived for a player in the altercation if the opposing player was clearly the instigator of the altercation. g.Any teams whose players become involved in an altercation, other than during the periods of the game, shall be fined automatically twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in addition to any other appropriate penalties that may be imposed upon the participating players by supplementary discipline or otherwise. Any player who would be deemed to be an instigator pursuant to Rule 54(a) at a time other than during the periods of the game shall be suspended automatically for ten (10) games. Such determination may be made by the Referee at the time of the incident or subsequently by the Commissioner or his designee based upon such reports and other information as he deems sufficient, including but not limited to television tapes. (NOTE) In the case of altercations taking place after the period or game the fine under this rule shall be assessed only in the event that an altercation is commenced after the period or game has terminated.