Ice Hockey
All participants need to be completely aware of the expectations and guidelines for Intramural Ice Hockey. The Intramural Guidelines contain all the necessary information and are available to all students by visiting recsports.msu.edu.
GENERAL: USA Hockey Rules will govern play when appropriate with the exception of those listed below. Necessary rule changes may be made by the Intramural Office in order to provide better competition for participants.
THE GAME: A game will consist of three 13-minute periods, with a one-minute time period between periods. The last 2 minutes of the 3rd period will be stopped time if the score is tied or within 2 goals. There will be a 3minute warm up time before the game. The clock will stop for injury, rule explanation, penalties, official’s timeout or a team timeout. There will be an 8 goal Mercy Rule in all games. All tie games (regular season) will remain as such.
PLAYOFFS: All teams will qualify for the playoffs unless the team forfeits multiple regular season games or has player conduct issues that impact the teams status in the league.
If a playoff game (excluding a championship game) ends in a tie, the following overtime procedure will take effect. There will be one 5-minute sudden death period with the first team to score being the winner. The last 2 minutes of the overtime period will be stopped time. If the game remains tied there will be a shootout. Each team chooses 3 players for the shootout (team using visitors bench will shoot first). The team to score the most goals in the shootout wins the game. If the score is tied after the shootout, then there will be a sudden death shootout using the same 3 players in the same shooting order. Again, visitors bench goes first. One player from each team shoots until there is a winner. The sudden death shootout procedure is repeated if necessary. EXAMPLE: In the sudden death shootout team V shoots first and scores, team H shoots next and does not score. The V wins the game.
Any team qualifying for the playoffs will not be allowed into the playoffs if:
1. The team has had more than 2 ejections due to unsportsmanlike conduct during the regular season. (Note: Any player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct during the playoffs will not be eligible for the remainder of the playoffs.)
2. The team has a player(s) who has been ejected from a game but has failed to meet with Ross Winter prior to the last day of regular season play.
3. The team has accrued 2 or more forfeits in the regular season.
TEAMS: Teams must have at least 4 eligible skaters and a dressed goalie in order to play. Teams may have as many players on their roster as they wish. Players can only play on one team. Teams cannot add players for the playoffs. Players must already appear on the roster in order to be eligible for playoffs. The captain will be the only player to ask the official for a rule interpretation. A captain may not leave the penalty box to question the official. An alternate captain will assume responsibility in the captain’s absence. There is a maximum of 2 non-players allowed on the bench during a game.
Each team is allowed a maxiumum of 2 Club Hockey players on their roster (this includes Roller Hockey). And if a team has Club Hockey players on their roster, that team must play in the most competitive Division (DI).
All players must appear on the team roster and check in using their valid MSU ID with the scorekeeper in order to play in a game. Players must register themselves with IMLeagues to appear on the roster for their respective team. If players do not appear on the roster for a regular season game, they must register before stepping on the ice. Players MUST already appear on the roster in order to play in the playoffs.
EQUIPMENT: All players must wear full equipment, excluding shoulder pads. A HECC approved helmet and full face mask is required. Chin straps must be fastened. No alterations of helmets/masks. No eye shields or half masks allowed. If helmet/mask is illegal, the participant will not be allowed to play. The whistle must be blown immediately when a player loses their helmet. It is also recommended that each player wear a protective mouth piece. Goalies must wear a protective face mask and all other protective goalie equipment.
INJURY POLICY: All injuries should be reported to the Intramural Supervisor. The supervisor will provide assistance with injuries. All Intramural participation is voluntary. The Intramural Department is NOT responsible for injuries sustained during intramural competition.
PLAYING THE GAME: We will use the delayed offsides (Tag-Up Option) rule from NCAA rules: “All players of the attacking team must clear the zone by making skate contact with the blue line. To nullify the offsides, the entire attacking team must be clear of the zone for one instant.”
Slap Shots: Slap shots are permitted, but the stick shall not be raised above the height of the goal cage (4 feet) on the backswing or follow through. Penalty: face-off at spot designated by the official. Flagrant High Stick: 5 minute major.
Checking: Body checking of any kind will not be permitted during intramural play and is subject to penalty. Penalty: 2 minute minor.
High Sticks: A player may not play the puck with his stick in any manner (batting or stopping it) when the blade of the stick is more than four feet off the ice. A major penalty will be imposed for any penalty involving the use of the stick or contact to the head or neck region of the opponent. A goal scored from a stick carried above the height of 4 feet shall not be allowed except by a player of the defending team. Participation without a stick is allowed. A broken stick must be dropped to the ice immediately. A goalie is the only player who is permitted to play with a broken stick. This is only until a stoppage in play or until the goalie has been legally provided with a stick.
Face-Offs: After the penalty is called, the face-off will be in defensive zone of the penalized team. All face-offs will only occur at one of the nine dots.
DISQUALIFICATION PENALTIES/SUSPENSIONS: A disqualification penalty (for whatever reason) will consist of the following: Five minute major penalty, suspension for the remainder of the game, and a minimum one game suspension. Penalties/suspensions will be assessed in line with the severity of the infraction. If the infraction is flagrant with the intent to injure, the suspension will be for the remainder of the season (playoffs included). All suspensions will be determined by the Intramural Director.
A disqualification penalty shall be imposed on a player who deliberately injuries or attempts to injure an opponent in any manner. A disqualification penalty shall be imposed upon any player who fights (fighting is considered any attempt to punch an opponent (gloves on or gloves off). Also, wrestling on the ice is considered fighting. One fighting penalty in a season constitutes an automatic season suspension (regular season and playoffs.) The offending player may not go the penalty box, and may not sit on team/bench. The player must go immediately to the locker room. If further problems arise, the player will be asked to leave the arena. A substitute, other than a spare goalie, must enter the penalty box in place of the disqualified player and enter the game after the five-minute penalty has elapsed (team shorthanded for 5 minutes). When coincidental disqualification penalties are imposed against an equal number of players of each team, the penalized players shall leave the game; and each team then shall be permitted substitutions on the ice for the penalized players (neither team plays shorthanded.)
Anyone entering a fight (third man in) for any reason will receive a major, disqualification penalty and a suspension. Any player who leaves the bench to engage in an altercation on the ice will receive a major, disqualification penalty and a suspension. Any attack on a coach, official, manager, supervisor or spectator will result in a major, disqualification penalty, and suspension for remainder of season.
A player who receives four penalties during the course of a game will be assessed a game disqualification penalty. There will also be a suspension. The five penalties can be of any type: minor, major or misconduct. A double minor for the same infraction counts as two penalties. Any double penalty counts as two penalties. A player who receives two major penalties in a game will also receive a game disqualification.
GAME MISCONDUCT PENALTY: A game misconduct penalty involves the suspension of a player, coach or any other team personnel for the balance of the game; however, a substitute is permitted to replace a player immediately. Anyone receiving 2 game misconducts in a season will automatically be suspended for the remainder of the season.
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VERBAL ABUSE: Players and coaches may be assessed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) whenever a player or coach openly disputes or argues about any decision by an official, uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime, visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official decision. Note: At anytime a player or coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct penalty shall result if such player or coach persists.
OTHER PENALTIES: If a fight breaks out, all players will retreat to their respective benches. Anyone left in the area will be assessed a misconduct penalty. Any unsportsmanlike conduct from the benches will be assessed a bench minor penalty to be served by a skater on the ice at the time.
Continued disrespect of an official, such as repeated misconduct penalties, continual unsportsmanlike conduct or excessive foul language to an official, and it becomes desirable to eliminate a player for the balance of the game. Penalty – game disqualification (rest of that game and a minimum one game suspension.). All penalties will be running time (exception: when there is stopped time in the last 2 minutes of a game, penalties will also be stopped time).
PENALTY DESIGNATIONS:
Face-off at Designated Spot: slap shot which results in stick being raised above the height of goal cage; 4 feet.
Two (2) Minute Minor Penalty: delay of game; includes illegal equipment; body checking; normal minor penalties associated with hockey i.e. high sticking, interference, cross-checking, holding, roughing, tripping, etc. NOTE: Minor penalty will end if goal is scored before two minutes expires.
Five (5) Minute Misconduct (Official’s Discretion): baiting an opponent; verbal abuse of an official. NOTE: Player will serve full 5 minutes; team does not play shorthanded.
Five (5) Minute Major: any flagrant minor penalty; fighting; leaving bench area or penalty box during a disturbance or altercation. NOTE: 5 minute major carries automatic game misconduct. Team will play short-handed, to be served by another player, the full 5 minutes.
Game Misconduct: any 5 minute major; excessive verbal and any physical abuse toward an official; any other form of misconduct as deemed necessary by the officials. NOTE: Game misconduct results in the penalized team playing shorthanded for 5 full minutes. Results in an automatic one game suspension for the player involved. Pending review of the incident, indefinite suspension may follow.
CONDUCT OF PLAYERS, COACHES AND SPECTATORS: Students working as IM officials are providing an important service to those people participating in hockey. Under no circumstances should these student officials be threatened or physically abused.
A critical component in the concept of the right of the Freedom of Speech is the responsible use of that freedom. Use of harassing language or other behaviors that relate to a person's race, age, sexual orientation, creed, ethnic origin, handicapping condition, or political persuasion is not acceptable in MSU intramural programs. Consequently, intramural professional staff and student supervisors have the authority and responsibility if warranted to penalize, disqualify, and/or eject intramural participants engaging in such behaviors.
Anyone ejected from a game for any reason will automatically be suspended from the team's next game unless the player receives permission to play by the Intramural Sports Professional Staff. Further action depends upon the severity of the incident. An ejected player must meet with the Sport Administrator before they are eligible to play again. Depending upon the severity of the incident, an ejected player may be suspended from more than one team or from other IM activities.
Any manager, coach, or player ejected from the game may be asked to leave the playing area. If the individual will not leave the playing area after being ejected by an official or they return to the playing area for any reason, the opposing team could be credited with the win by forfeit and the game could be terminated.
SPECTATORS: Teams and players have a further responsibility to prevent their fans from abusing the officials and to help control their spectators so that the game is not disrupted. Failure to do so may result in a team technical foul and/or the forfeiture of the game.
DISQUALIFICATION OF TEAMS: A team could be disqualified from further play if:
1. A player(s) ejected for a flagrant foul or for fighting fails to meet with the Sport Administrator.
2. A player(s) ejected from a game fails to cooperate with IM personnel.
3. A team or its manager/representative fails to cooperate with IM personnel.
4. A team, after being warned by the Sport Administrator, continues to disrupt the peaceful progress of the game with unsportsmanlike behavior.
ALCOHOL: It is University policy that alcoholic beverages may not be consumed on University recreational areas. Please cooperate with the Intramural Department in keeping both players and spectators from bringing alcohol into the facilities. Teams and/or players arriving under the influence of alcohol or whose behavior suggests intoxication may be immediately disqualified from IM competition.