Peace Region League Rules

Regular season overtime

Should two teams be tied at the end of regulation, a 3-on-3, five minute STRAIGHT TIME overtime period will take place. If a penalty is called during the overtime period, the on ice strength will go 4-on-3. If the penalty expires, the player would return to the ice and the teams would play 4-on-4 until the next stoppage of play when they would return to 3-on-3 play. Should another penalty be called against the same team, the on ice strength would be 5-on-3 and the same procedure would be used as above when one or both penalties expire. Since this overtime period is straight time, minor penalties will be 3 minutes long and major penalties 7 minutes long. If a penalty (or penalties) carries over from regulation time, the duration shall NOT be adjusted and the overtime period will start 4-on-3 or 5-on-3, as explained above.

Playoff overtime NEW THIS SEASON

• Goaltenders to switch ends and any penalties not expired continue to be served and overtime begins as follows,
• Five minute OT, 3 on 3, stop time; if still tied, then,
• Shoot out, three players are selected and submitted to the referee. The home team will decide which team starts the alternating shootout; if still tied, then,
• A Sudden Victory alternating shootout will commence. ANY player can take part in the Sudden Victory portion of the shootout, including the first 3 players and the same player can be used multiple times
• Goaltenders may be switched out at any time during the shootout.

Click the link below for more details about the playoff format

APHL Playoff 2019-2020

Write-Ups and Suspensions

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Playing Rules

Per Hockey Canada Rule Book

Bullying Policy

The NAHL is committed to help reduce and prevent the bullying of participants (players, coaches, referees, parents and fans). Written, verbal, physical and cyber bullying is defined as harmful actions that are communicated via written, spoken or electronic media (the internet, interactive and digital technologies, mobile phones) and are intended to embarrass, humiliate, threaten, harm, or slander another NAHL participant(s). This includes individual players, coaching staff, game officials and teams. They are referred below as ‘targets’. Some examples of the bullying policy are:

• Continually criticizing the target’s abilities.
• Blaming the target of the bullying for mistakes.
• Repeated insults or put downs of the target.
• Denying or discounting the targets accomplishment.
• Threats of and actual physical violence toward the target.

Written, verbal, physical and or cyber bullying in the NAHL will be dealt with as per the following (includes players, coaches, parents and fans):

• Information will be gathered from sources pertaining to the incident and reviewed by the League.
• Directors may be called upon for input on an individual basis for certain cases.
• 1st offence under the policy is a 3 game suspension.
• 2nd offence is an indefinite suspension. The player will remain under suspension while the case is investigated and dealt with by the NAHL.

Note: Some types of cyber-bulling may fall within the Criminal Code of Canada. Should there be a need for law enforcement involvement, all information will be passed to the local authorities. 

Harassment Policy

The NAHL does not tolerate players or team officials engaging in verbal taunts, insults, and intimidation towards other players based on discriminatory grounds (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language).

This constitutes harassment under Hockey Canada Rule 9.2(f). The NAHL does not accept or condone that harassment is part of the game of hockey. Any player or team official who is guilty of harassment will be issued suspensions above the Hockey Alberta Minimum Suspension Guidelines for the Game Misconduct or Gross Misconduct penalty called for Rule in 9.2(f). 

Team and Fan Unsportsmanlike Conduct Policy

The NAHL expects that teams and fans will follow the Hockey Alberta Respect in Sport model and will not display unsportsmanlike conduct before, during or after NAHL games. Examples of unsportsmanlike conduct are:

• Spectators being loud and continuous in commenting on their perceived view of the referring during games.
• Spectators and players on the bench encouraging overly aggressive play i.e. calling for and celebrating the “big” hit.
• Ejected players or Team Officials not staying in the arena lobby to the end of the game.
• Suspended players of Team Officials not staying more than 50 feet away from the players’ benches during games.
• Fans directing derogatory comments at the other team’s fans both in and outside of the arena.

Coaches are responsible for their team, team officials, and fans. Coaches whose team and/or fans are observed by NAHL Executive members, or found to be engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, will be suspended for a minimum of two games. 

Warmups

Teams will be allotted a ten minute on ice warmup prior to the start of each game, the game commences following the warmup.

Game Play

Each game will consist of three,20-minute stop time periods. The ice will be cleaned prior to the start of every game and in between each period of play.

Overtime 

Overtime will be played in any regular season game as required. All Leagues games must result in a winner. The following will be the format for REGULAR SEASON overtime:

1) Five-minute sudden-death overtime, 4-on-4 players, plus goalies.

If still tied:

2) 3-on-3 player shootout conducted in penalty shot format. The first shooter will be determined by a coin toss called by the home team. The winner of the coin toss will select whether they shoot first or second. If still tied, the shoot out will continue until an advantage is determined. One opportunity per player, until all players have been used.

If time does not permit a sudden-death overtime period, teams may advance directly to the shootout.

No Change Icing

A team that ices the puck shall not be permitted to make any player substitutions prior to the ensuing face-off. However, a team shall be permitted to make a player substitution to replace a goalkeeper who had been substituted for an extra attacker, to replace an injured player, or when a penalty has been assessed which affects the on-ice strength of either team. The determination of players on ice will be made when the puck leaves the offending player’s stick. 

• Please be advised that officials will be coached to the point that if the offending team purposely tries to make a change with respect to this rule, a warning will be given to the coach.  If it occurs again a delay of game penalty will be assessed for the purpose of keeping up the flow of the game.
• A team may be permitted to utilize their team time-out at this stoppage of play, however they are still not permitted to make any player substitutions unless the above criteria has been met.  If a team and/or coach chooses to try and make a change during the extended stoppage, no warning is required and a minor penalty for delay of game can be assessed by the referee.
• Any intentional action by the centerman to delay the face-off will result in a minor penalty for delay of game at the discretion of the referee.

Face-Offs

The NWJHL enforces Rule 10.2 (Face-Offs) found in the Optional Rules for Junior and Senior Hockey section of the rule book.

Mouthguards

Mouthguard infractions shall be called per Rule 3.6(g) of the rule book.

Overtime Format

Regular Season

Should two teams be tied at the end of regulation, a 3-on-3, five-minute overtime period will take place. If a penalty is called during the overtime period, the on ice strength will go 4-on-3. If the penalty expires, the player would return to the ice and the teams would play 4-on-4 until the next stoppage of play when they would return to 3-on-3 play. Should another penalty be called against the same team, the on ice strength would be 5-on-3 and the same procedure would be used as above when one or both penalties expire. If after the 5 minute OT period, the two teams are still tied, a shootout will occur.

• 3-player shootout (home team decides whether they or visitors shoot first)
• a penalized player at the end of the overtime period shall not be allowed to participate in the shootout. 
• all shooters on each team will shoot, regardless of who scores
• then goes to sudden death (one shooter each team until a winner is declared)
• Every player must shoot until a player can take another shot.

Playoffs

10 minute overtime, then play 20 minute overtime periods until there is a winner, as per Hockey Canada Guidelines.

Warm-Ups

Linesmen are required to watch the pre-game warm-up. Should a player cross the centre line and make contact with an opposing player or attempt to incite/engage a player of the opposing team, then that player would receive a minor penalty and the penalty recorded on the game sheet should be crossing the red line (CRL).Should a team still have players on the ice when the buzzer sounds to indicate that the pre-game warm-up is over, the captain of that team shall be assessed a 10-minute misconduct penalty to be served by the captain at the start of the game.

Also, there is NOT an automatic minor penalty issued to a player for failing to wear their chin strap properly during warm-up. They are to be warned first and then if they do not do it up, a minor would be assessed.  

Write-Ups / Game Reports

All major penalties, game misconducts, gross misconducts, and match penalties need to be written up, including 10 minute misconducts in the last 10 minutes of playing time. Write-ups are to be completed on the Hockey Alberta Game Report.

Hockey Alberta Game Report >

Referees are required to submit any required write-up to League Commissioner Winston Delorme within 12 hours of completion of the game via e-mail at [email protected]. They can be typed using the fillable pdf, hand-written and scanned, or sent as clear images (photo,jpg,png,etc.).

This is the referee’s responsibility and they must not pass this on to the home team.

2016-2017 Rule Supplement >

3-on-3 Overtime >

Line Change on Icing

A team that is in violation of icing shall not be permitted to make any player substitutions prior to the ensuing face-off. Should the offending team elect to utilize their team time-out at this stoppage of play, they are still not permitted to make any player substitutions. However, a team shall be permitted to make a player substitution to replace a goalkeeper who had been substituted for an extra attacker, to replace an injured player, or when a penalty has been assessed which affects the on-ice strength of either team. The determination of players on ice will be made when the puck leaves the offending player’s stick.  If the offending team purposely tries to make a change, a warning will be given to the coach and if it occurs again a delay of game penalty will be assessed. 

Puck Out of Play 

When any player, excluding the goaltender, shoots or bats (using the hand or stick) the puck directly (non-deflected) out of the playing surface, except where there is no glass, the offending team is not allowed to change its on-ice personnel before the next faceoff which will occur in the offending teams’ defensive zone. Deliberate violations of this rule shall be penalized as delay of game.

When the puck is shot into the players’ bench, the violation will not apply. When the puck is shot over the glass behind the players’ bench, the offending team is not allowed to change its on-ice personnel. When the puck goes out of the playing area directly off a faceoff, the violation will not apply.  

Should the offending team elect to utilize their team time-out at this stoppage of play, they are still not permitted to make any player substitutions. However, a team shall be permitted to make a player substitution to replace a goalkeeper who had been substituted for an extra attacker, to replace an injured player, or when a penalty has been assessed which affects the on-ice strength of either team. The determination of players on ice will be made when the puck leaves the offending player’s stick. If the offending team purposely tries to make a change, a warning will be given to the coach and if it occurs again a delay of game penalty will be assessed.

Pre-Game Warmup

Linesmen are to report to the referee any players who are not entirely off the ice surface at the buzzer to conclude the warmup. The referee will issue a bench minor to the offending team or teams. If a team has more than one player  on the ice at the buzzer, only one bench minor would be assessed be assessed. Referees are to report to the league any players who cross the center red line (with one or both skates) during the warmup. Please ensure that the linesmen are aware of this and watching the entire warmup from a center ice location.

National Anthem

All players on the ice must maintain their position on the blue line or in the crease with their helmets off to the completion of the National Anthem.

The On-Ice Officials shall have the discretion to apply a 10-minute misconduct to the offending player(s) & the AJHL Office shall have the discretion to investigate reports of teams and/or players who are showing disrespect of the Anthem. During the exhibition season, do not assess the misconduct. During the exhibition season, go to the players bench of the offending team and let the coach know the offending players number and that if this occurs during the regular season a misconduct penalty would be assessed to that player.

Media Timeout

All games will include a 60-second break at the first even strength whistle after the 10 minute mark in each period.

The 60-second break will NOT take place:

• After an icing or puck out of play scenario
• After a goal

Face-Offs and Icing the Puck

The NPHL enforces Rule 10.2 (Face-Offs) and Rule 10.5 (Icing the Puck) found in the Optional Rules for Junior and Senior Hockey section of the rule book.

Overtime Format

Regular Season

Any regular season league game ending in a tie after regulation time is to be decided by a five-minute sudden-death period being played. Teams will each ice four skaters plus one goaltender (minus penalties carrying over from the end of the third period) for the overtime period. The winning team shall receive two points in the standings while the losing team receives one point.

1. In any game resulting in a tie after three complete periods of play, there shall be a three-minute break, then the overtime period will begin immediately, regardless of the condition of the ice. At this time, the teams do not change ends.
2. If the game is still tied after five-minutes are played, the game shall be decided by a shootout. Each team chooses five players. The home team decides whether or not to shoot first; each team shoots alternately until a winner is decided, i.e., by one goal after five shooters or by more goals than remaining shooters. If, after the first five players, the game is still tied, one other player is chosen from each team and shots taken until a winner is decided. The winning team receives two points; the losing team one point.
3. All players with penalties that have not been served in their entirety at the end of overtime shall not be eligible in the shoot out, unless the penalty is a team penalty or a penalty being served for another player.

Playoffs

Playoff games ending in a tie after regulation time are to be decided by subsequent 20-minute sudden-death periods until a winner is determined. The ice is to be flooded between each overtime period, including at the end of regulation time. Teams do not change ends going into the first overtime period.

Other Rules

• The league has mandated that no matter what the score of the game, there is to be NO running time.  No exceptions.
• 1 Fight is a Game Misconduct, per the Rule Book.
• Mouth guards are not required.
• All equipment must be CSA approved. If no sticker and you are unsure, remove it

Write-Ups / Game Reports

All referee write-ups must be faxed to Jack McAvoy within 12 hours of completion of the game. This is the referee’s responsibility and he must not ask the home team to complete this task. Fax number is 780-836-0013.

Head Contact

This league is classified as Female Hockey, not Senior Hockey. Therefore, the Head Contact rule (Rule 6.5) must be applied properly in this league. All accidental head contact will be a minor, or if intentional, a double minor, major plus Game, or a Match Penalty.

Overtime Format

In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, the games will be declared a tie and each participating team will receive one (1) point. Playoff games will be played to a decision as per Hockey Canada overtime rules.

Number of Players

Each team must ice a minimum of seven (7) players for all league and play-off games, but must not dress more than set out in the Hockey Canada rule book. Failure to dress seven players for any game will be considered a “no-show” and a fine of $100.00 will be levied and submitted to the League prior to playing any future games. The teams will also forfeit the two (2) points to the opposing team.

Other Rules

• If both teams use the same gate to leave the ice, the visiting team shall leave the ice first at the end of all periods and games.
• All Tier 1 PCFHL games shall consist of a five-minute warm up and 3-20 minute stop time periods if at all possible. If time will to allow, teams are to notify their opponent prior to the game.
• All Tier 2 PCFHL games shall consist of a five-minute warm-up, and 3-15 minute stop time periods.
• The League wants the players to shake hands with their opponents at the end of any game.
• All affiliated players MUST be indicated on the game sheet (AP) prior to the start of the game. These players MUST wear all required equipment.
• Full-face mask is required for all players.
• Minor Hockey rules in effect for misconduct in the last ten minutes of the game will result in a game suspension.

Write-Ups / Game Reports

All Game Misconducts, Gross Misconducts, and Match Penalties must be written up and sent to both the League President and Secretary/Treasurer at the email addresses below.

President, Kristy Provost
Email: [email protected]

Secretary/Treasurer, Cathy Craipley
Email: [email protected]

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