How should a Referee handle the situation involving another On-Ice Official who uses a tobacco product on the ice during a game?
The Referee should immediately inform the Official that this practice is prohibited by rule. Rule References 502(a) and 601(f).
Since players and Team Officials are prohibited from using a tobacco product during a game, this restriction also applies to all On-Ice and Off-Ice Officials. The Referee should also report these actions to the Local Supervisor of Officials at the conclusion of the game.
Does the Referee have the authority to prohibit teams from proceeding through the “hand shake” line following an unusually rough or chippy game?
Yes. Rule Reference 502(a).
The Referee is charged with the general supervision of the game. It is well within their authority to prohibit this common practice of a “hand shake” line in the event that they feel a problem may arise if the teams are allowed to shake hands. The safety of the players and preventative measures should be the priority.
A goal is scored; however, before the play resumes the Linesman notifies the Referee that the play should have been called for icing. What should the Referee do?
The Referee must disallow the goal and the face-off would take place at the normal icing face-off spot. Rule Reference 502(a).
Although procedurally, the icing situation was not handled correctly, the obligation of the officials is to do their best to make the right call.
Should the Officials stop play immediately or allow play to continue whenever a player on the ice is body checked and crashes through a door or through the glass?
The Officials must stop play immediately. Rule Reference 502(a).
Anytime there is a potentially dangerous situation where a pane of glass has been broken or a door (other than players’ or penalty bench) has been opened during play, the officials must consider the safety aspect and stop play immediately.
The exception is when a player is knocked into an open door on the players’ or penalty bench and is able to resume play immediately and the door is properly closed.
May the Referee authorize a change on the scoresheet of a goal or assist after play has resumed?
Yes. Rule References 502(a & c).
This is not interpreted as a changed decision, but instead is a simple correction to the game statistics. Goals and assists may be changed, if appropriate, up until the scoresheet is properly signed after the game.
May the Referee change an assessed penalty any time after play resumes if it is realized that a penalty was incorrectly assessed according to the playing rules?
No. Rule References 502(a & e).
The Referee may not add, change, or delete a penalty after play has resumed following penalty assessment. This includes after a game. If a rule has been misapplied, the Referee is obligated to inform the governing body so that a modification could be possible under “Supplementary Discipline” (Rule 410).
However, the Referee should change any “clerical” error noted on the scoresheet prior to signing the sheet. For example, if the Referee properly assessed a game misconduct penalty, but it was incorrectly recorded on the scoresheet as a misconduct, this should be corrected prior to signing the scoresheet.
A Linesman has determined that a major penalty infraction has occurred unseen by the Referee and is waiting for the next stoppage of play to report to the Referee. The next stoppage of play occurs when the offending team scores a goal, whereupon the Linesman reports their version of the infraction. The Referee concurs that a major penalty plus the automatic misconduct penalty should be assessed. What procedures does the Referee follow?
Disallow the goal and assess the penalty. Rule References 502(c) and 503(e).
Linesmen cannot stop play, but must wait for the first stoppage of play to report their version of the incident to the Referee.
