Ask the Referee

Open for ANYONE to post questions - Please send questions to Paul McAughey.

A player on the other team hit my goalie's glove after he had covered the puck but before the whistle had blown. The other player said he could do this because the whistle had not blown. Is this correct
No this is not correct. 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.
My player threw one punch with his glove on, is this a fighting major?
The referee is provided very wide latitude on this issue. Please note that the proper term is fisticuffs, fighting is a generalized term used by players. He may call a single minor, double minor or a major penalty depending on the situation. Generally a single punch should fall under the minor or double minor. Rule 613 Fisticuffs Subsection (b) states: (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 double minor or a major penalty may be imposed if such player continues the altercation. (Note 1) The Referee is provided very wide latitude in the penalties that 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 shall be exercised realistically.
What defines a Too Many Men penalty?
Rule 205 Change of Players subsection (a) states: Players may be changed at any time from the players bench, provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall always be at the players bench and out of the play before any change is made. If, in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering or leaving the game deliberately plays the puck with the stick, skates or hands, or checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while the retiring player is actually on the ice, then a bench minor penalty for too many players on the ice will be called. (Note) If, in the course of a substitution, either the player entering the play or the player retiring is struck by the puck accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called.
Why did I get called for Tripping when I dove to block a shot and hit the puck?
Rule 639 Tripping subsection (a) states: Any player who deliberately leaves his feet and contacts an opponent with any part of his body thereby causing the opponent to trip or fall shall be assessed a minor penalty.(Note) This rule does not apply to a player who has dropped to his knee(s) to block a shot. It is very clear that if a player leaves their feet in any way besides going to their knees and trips a player that it is a penalty. It does not matter if puck contact was made.
What is the difference between Checking and Body Contact?
Body contact is a given in our game. Intentional body checking is not. Body checking occurs when a defensive player's objective is to gain possession of the puck by separating the puck carrier from the puck with a body check. Body contact which occurs when players are attempting to play the puck is permissible regardless of the degree of the contact or any size or skill differential between the players. Intent to separate the puck carrier from the puck with a body check is the primary differentiating factor between allowable body contact and illegal body checking. Body contact occurring during the following scenarios are all examples of permissible body contact: The defensive player establishing a position along the boards such that the puck carrier runs out of the room (angling). When opposing players, in an attempt to play the puck have established body position and a lane to the puck, and collide upon reaching the puck. A defensive player, while skating in the same direction as the puck carrier, legally holds a position on the ice to block and stop the forward progress of the puck carrier. This is contrary to stepping up and into the puck carrier from the opposite direction, which is an illegal body check. When opposing players unintentionally turn into each other as they are skating to different positions on the rink.
If I am wearing a facemask and have it secured correctly do I still need a chin strap?
Yes. Rule 304(b) covers this: It is compulsory for all players in all classifications to wear a hockey helmet, with helmet strap properly fastened.
As a Captain or Alternate, can I come off the bench to question an officials call?
Yes and no. A Captain or Alternate is allowed to "discuss with the Referee any questions realation to interpretation of rules",Rule 202(a), but cannot make any protest or intervention with the Referee, Rule 202(d). This rule goes on to state, "A complaint about a penalty is NOT a matter of 'relating to the interpretation of the rules' and a minor penalty shall be imposed." The situation manual explains this further by stating, "If the Captain leaves the bench for a discussion without being invited to do so, and makes a complaint or protest, he must be assessed the minor penalty called for under this rule."
I thought there had to be a kicking motion for a goal to be waived off. Is that true?
In our league there does not have to be a kicking motion for a goal scored to be waved off if it came off a skate. The reason that most people think this is the case is because that is the rule in the NHL and AHL. Rule 614c covers that part by saying: If an attacking player kicks the puck and the puck goes directly into the goal or is deflected into the goal by any player, including the goalkeeper, a goalshall not be allowed. But, Rule 614d goes on to say: If the puck shall have been deflected into the goal from the shot of an attacking player by striking any part of a player of the same team, a goal shall be allowed. The player who deflected the puck shall be credited with the goal. The goal shall not be allowed if the puck has been kicked, thrown or otherwise deliberately directed into the goal by any means other than a stick. That's where it can get a little tricky at times "deliberately directed into the goal". It is up to the ref to decide if there was any intent by either the player deflecting the puck or the shooter to deflect the puck into the net. If it is decided there is any intent, it is no goal.