High Sticks

Team A high sticks the puck in its Defending Zone, and the puck moves into the Neutral Zone, where a Team B defenseman strikes the puck with a high stick and the puck leaves the rink. Where is the ensuing face-off?

At an end face-off spot in Team B’s Defending Zone. Rule Reference 621(c).

Even though both teams have committed an infraction, once the Team B player strikes the puck with his high stick, possession of the puck is established and the violation against Team A is nullified. The stoppage was caused by Team B, and since it was a “high sticking the puck” violation, the normal rules regarding face-off location would apply.

Interference

A defending player shoots the puck into his own goal from outside the crease with an attacking player standing unimpeded in the crease (the goalkeeper is in the crease). Does the goal count?

No. Rule Reference 625(b).

Regardless of what player puts the puck into the goal, no goal may be scored if a player of the attacking team intentionally stands in the goal crease, with the goalkeeper in the crease, unless the puck is already in the goal crease.

Off-Sides

An attacking player, about to be caught off-side, jumps into his players’ bench just before a teammate crosses the attacking blue line with the puck. Has any off-side violation occurred?

No. Rule References 630(a) Note 2 and 205(a).

Provided the player jumped into his own players’ bench and no substitution entered the ice prior to the puck crossing the blue line (creating an offside situation), no off-sides violation has occurred. However, if the player jumped off the ice surface into any other part of the rink, and was substituted for, his team must be assessed a bench minor penalty for illegal substitution.