Rule 507 - Penalty Timekeeper

The Penalty Timekeeper enters coincident minor penalty time on the penalty clocks, and this action is not noticed by the Referee until play has resumed. Should this penalty time display be corrected at a stoppage of play, or allowed to continue until those penalties have expired?

The situation should be corrected at the first stoppage of play.

Rule Reference 507(b).

While it may be argued that this display will give the teams accurate information regarding time remaining, the procedure is to not place coincident penalty times on the clock. Following this procedure will minimize confusion regarding on-ice strength, when the penalized players are eligible to return to the ice and the proper termination of a minor penalty if a goal was scored.

Rule 636 - Start of Game and Time of Game

Under what circumstances may a Referee terminate a game prematurely?

The only acceptable reason for an official to suspend a game (other than refusing to start play or the lack of responsible adult supervision for the bench) is if playing conditions that are outside of the control of the participants have become unsatisfactory.

Rule Reference 636(e).
Examples of conditions beyond the control of all game participants would include:
• a portion of the ice melts
• significant lighting failure (dark or long shadows)
• glass falls out or shatters and can’t be replaced
• a gate falls off or cannot be locked in place
• time clock failure and no alternative timing means
• weather conditions (outdoor facility only)

The improper behavior of players, coaches and/or spectators is not a viable reason to suspend a game and the on-ice officials do not have the authority to do so.

In every instance when a game is suspended, a written report should be submitted to the Proper Authorities.

 Rule 603 - Boarding

What degree of force is necessary in order to be considered to be thrown dangerously into the boards?

For USA Hockey youth games, the onus is on the player delivering the check to do so in a manner that does not place the opponent in danger. Rule Reference 603(Note) and Glossary.

The purpose of a body check is to gain possession of the puck. Any time a player delivers a check for the purpose of intimidating or punishing the opponent, and therefore recklessly endangering and causing the opponent to be driven excessively into the boards (uses the boards to punish the
opponent), a boarding penalty must be assessed.

The degree of force with the boards is certainly subject to discretion, and a more practical question may be, “was the check reckless and/or what was the vulnerability of the player being checked?” For example, a boarding penalty may be assessed when a player was not necessarily hit that hard but was considered to be in a vulnerable or defenseless position when unnecessarily hit with a degree of force that caused them to be thrown into the boards excessively.

In contrast, a penalty may not be warranted when a player is hit much harder, but their preparedness for the hit causes them to go only mildly into the boards. USA Hockey is not eliminating a good, hard, and clean check where the focus is on gaining possession of the puck. However, players must be aware of the situation when delivering a check and then held accountable for checking a vulnerable or defenseless opponent