Situation 1
Two opposing players skate into the corner and are physically engaged in an effort to obtain possession of the puck. During their attempts, a third player sees the two players physically engaged and skates in their direction with the clear intent to deliver a check to the opposing player. Should the Referee stop play?
Yes. Rule Reference 632(a Note).
The Referee must stop play the instant they realize that unnecessary contact will result from allowing the play to continue. If contact is made in this instance, they must assess a penalty to the third player who entered the corner and made no effort to legally play the puck and instead body checked a vulnerable or defenseless opponent.
The intent of this rule is to keep the play moving and eliminate whistles for a frozen puck along the boards.
Situation 2
The puck is outside the crease. The goalkeeper, who is lying on the ice after making a save, reaches out and partially covers the puck with their glove. The Referee does not feel that the goalkeeper has sufficient control of the puck and so they allow play to continue. A moment later an attacking player shoots the partially covered puck into the goal. The Referee allows the goal. Did the Referee use good judgment?
The Referee must make the judgment as to whether or not the goalkeeper has sufficient control of the puck to warrant a stoppage of play. A partial coverage of the puck in the crease, with the goalkeeper clearly in control of their own movements and of the puck, would likely satisfy this requirement. Conversely, a desperate lunge for a puck lying outside the crease boundaries resulting in the same partial coverage probably would not. Rule Reference 632(a).
While Referees are expected to act quickly to prevent possible altercations around the goal area by means of prompt stoppages when the puck has been frozen, Referees are not expected to act as an extra arm for goalkeepers by stopping play every time a goalkeeper touches the puck in an obvious attempt to cover it. If the Referee has lost sight of a puck that is only partially covered, play should be stopped immediately. But if the puck is clearly visible and the control criteria have not been met, play should be permitted to continue.
Situation 3
The puck is outside the crease and the goalkeeper, who is lying on the ice after making a save, reaches out and partially covers the puck with their glove. What happens if the Referee is satisfied that the goalkeeper has enough control to cause a stoppage, but before they can get their whistle to their mouth the puck is shot into the goal? Goal or no goal?
No goal. Rule Reference 632(a).
As soon as the Referee decides that play should be stopped, that is when play is stopped. Whether or not the puck enters the goal in the split second it takes between the time they have reached that decision and the time it takes to bring the whistle to their mouth and blow it is not a factor.
Situation 4
Two opposing players skate into the corner in an effort to hold the puck along the boards until the Officials stop play. When should the Official stop play?
The Official must only stop play if a player falls onto or is knocked down onto the puck, or if it is evident that unnecessary contact will result from allowing the play to continue. Rule References 632(a Note and b).
The Referee must use verbal commands during this play in an attempt to keep play moving. They cannot blow the whistle simply because two opposing players want to obtain a stoppage. Whenever a player falls on the puck, play must be stopped immediately. If a player intentionally falls on the puck, a minor penalty for delaying the game must be called. In the instance in which only one player intentionally holds the puck along the boards for three seconds, the Referee shall have no alternative but to assess a minor penalty for delaying the game to the offending player.
Situation 5
A player is playing the puck along the boards with their skates or stick, but not advancing the puck in an attempt to obtain a stoppage of play. What should the Referee do if this action continues?
Initially the Referee should verbally alert the player to advance the puck, provided they are not being checked. If, after approximately three seconds expire, no attempt has been made to advance the puck, the Referee shall stop play and assess a minor penalty for delaying the game. Rule References 632(b) and 610(a).
It is most important for the Referee to verbally instruct the player to move the puck.
Situation 6
Seconds prior to the expiration of a penalty to a teammate, a Team A player has possession and control of the puck along the boards with no opposing player near them. In an effort to allow the penalty to expire, the player attempts to “inch” the puck along the boards hoping to momentarily stall without losing control of the puck. A Team B player enters into the play and attempts to free the puck. The Team A player then stops moving the puck and holds it between their skate and the boards for three seconds. What action should the Referee take?
The Referee must stop the play and assess a minor penalty for Delaying the Game to the Team A player. Rule Reference 632(b).
The Referee must use verbal commands during play in an attempt to keep play moving. Once the puck is held against the boards for more than three seconds by one player, the Referee must stop play and assess the penalty for Delaying the Game. The fact that the player may or may not have been pressured by his opponent has no bearing on the call.
Situation 7
What criteria should an official use when determining whether to stop play for an extra puck that has appeared on the ice?
Play should be stopped immediately if the additional puck interferes with play in any manner. Rule Reference 632(c).
Interfering with play could be as simple as having one player think the additional puck is the puck that is in play or any other response that affects the actions of the players. However, as long as the puck does not interfere in any way, play can continue until the next stoppage.
