Rules and Regulations

NGSHL 4 on 4 Rules

Updated June 7, 2015

Please note that because this is a new league for the 2015 season, rules may be modified up until the start of the season.

REGULAR SEASON

Playing Rules

1. Playing rules will be those recognized by the OWHA (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association) and the CHA (Canadian Hockey Association), except as noted.
2. Neckguards:  Players are required to wear neckguards for all games.
3. A "change of possession" is defined as: All players of opposing team must leave the offensive zone similar to a delayed offside. Once all members have exited the attacking zone, they may re-enter the attacking zone.
4. If a goal is scored, whistle will blow, and a change of possession will occur. The scoring team must back off to the center RED line and allow defenders to have control and start break out.
5. Offsides: referee will signal DELAYED OFFSIDE. If offending team touches puck, whistle will sound and defending team will be allowed to bring puck out over blue line (change of possession).
6. Icing: The determining line for an icing call will be the team's defensive blue line. If puck is iced, the whistle will blow, defending team gets control of the puck and opposing team must allow them to gain control (change of possession).
7. Goalies Freezing the Puck: Upon the goalie freezing the puck in the crease area, the referee will blow the whistle and a change of possession will occur.
8. Body Contact: No BODY CHECKING. Indirect contact is allowed. No direct board contact is allowed. No contact is permitted when moving in opposite direction.
9. Game Length: Games will consist of one 22 minute running time period, with a two minute warm-up to start.
10. Shift Length: Each shift will be 1 minute 30 seconds in length. A buzzer will sound to signal a shift change. Play is live.
11. Players staying on the ice during a signaled shift change must tag up at their own blue line. This is to avoid an unfair advantage while the opponents are forced to change.
12. Players on the ice must not touch the puck after the shift change is signaled. The only exception is that goalies can play the puck during the shift change.
13. The shift change should not interrupt a scoring opportunity (breakaway or 2 on 1).
14. Time Outs: No time outs are permitted at any time.

Penalties

1. Players will not serve minor penalties in the penalty box. A live penalty shot will be awarded
2. Live Penalty Shots: Whenever possible, the player fouled should take the penalty shot. The fouled player will be positioned on the attacking blue line. All other players will be lined up at center ice. Referee will blow the whistle and play is live.
3. Major Penalties: Players who are awarded major penalties will be suspended from the game and may be subject to further discipline (suspension, or ejection from the league). A penalty shot awarded.
4. Coincidental penalties: Both players will be sent off the ice. No penalty shot(s) awarded to either team.
5. Goalies: Goalies must play the puck if possible. They cannot freeze it outside the crease area. If so, a minor penalty will be awarded to (penalty shot).

Spare Players

1. In the event that a team is short players, they may substitute players from another team or from the spares list.
2. Spares must be of equal or lesser caliber than the player they are replacing.

PLAYOFFS

Playoffs shall adhere to the same rules as the regular season with the exceptions below.

Playing Rules

1. Game Length: Games will consist of one 20 minute running time period with a two minute warm-up. The two championship games will consist of one 25 minute running time period.
2. Shootout: In the event the game is tied, a 3 round simultaneous shootout will take place.
3. If the score is still tied after 3 rounds, additional sudden death simultaneous shootouts will occur until a winner is decided.
4. No player may shoot twice until all skaters on the team have taken a shot.

Spare Players

1. Teams may not add spare players to their roster unless they have 6 skaters or less.
2. Spares must be approved by the opposing coaches and the league president 24 hours prior to the start of the game.

Officials

1. All playoff games will be officiated by paid OWHA officials.
2. Timekeepers will continue to be a parent volunteer from the home team.