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2002 Officiating Standards of Enforcement
While there have been no rules changes
for the 2001-2002 season, the National Hockey League's Hockey Operations Department has identified the following rules for particular attention and added emphasis:
Slashing
This emphasis on slashing will continue to be in force. Any forceful swing or powerful chop to an opponent above the waist, including on or above the hands when the player is in the process of playing the puck, will result in, as appropriate, either a minor penalty, a five-minute major and a game misconduct penalty or a match penalty resulting in automatic suspension and possible Supplementary Discipline.
Hits to the head
In keeping with the recommendations of the Injury Analysis Panel, there will be stricter enforcement regarding illegal hits to the head. Any blow to the head delivered by an extended hand, elbow, forearm or stick is an illegal act and will be penalized as such. Any blow to the head delivered on a puck-carrier by the trunk, shoulder or the arm/elbow (when held against the trunk) will remain a legal check.
Change of players
Officials will be more diligent in calling illegal line changes during play. A player on the bench may not enter the playing surface if the player for whom he is substituting is not within five feet of the bench and out of the play.
Violation of Rule 17 -- Change of Players -- will result in a stoppage of play if the offending team is in possession of the puck or a too many men on the ice penalty if the offending team is not in possession.
A Team will be penalized for having too many men on the ice if:
1) The player entering the game plays the puck with his stick, skates or hands while the retiring player is still on the ice.
2) The player entering the game makes any physical contact with an opposing player while the retiring player is still on the ice.
3) The Team is playing with more players than they are entitled to for a significant amount of time.
Delay of game
Consistent with the initiative to maintain flow in the game, there will be a heightened awareness of delay of game tactics. If a skater falls on the
puck in an attempt to gain a stoppage of play or deliberately shoots the puck out of the rink, he is subject to a delay of game penalty.
Diving
As was the case last season, when a foul is committed and the victim blatantly embellishes a fall, a reaction or feigns an injury, the Referee
will assess two minor penalties -- one to the player committing the original foul and one to the player who blatantly embellishes his fall, his
reaction or feigns an injury (Rule 41 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct).
When no foul has been committed on a particular play, but a player nonetheless blatantly embellishes a fall, a reaction or feigns an injury in an attempt to draw a penalty, the Referee is to assess a single penalty to the player who has attempted to draw the penalty (Rule 41 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct).
Obstruction
As was the case last season, players skating through the neutral zone, not in possession of the puck, must be allowed to move freely without being hooked, held or interfered with by defending players. A player will be assessed a two-minute penalty for "obstruction hooking" or "obstruction holding" if he "locks on" to a player not in possession of the puck, with
either his stick or his hands, or if he otherwise impedes his opponent's progress through the neutral zone with his stick. In either end zone, if a non-puck carrying player is hooked, held or interfered with by an opposing player, the Referees have been instructed to call the appropriate penalties (i.e. hooking, holding or interference), without utilizing the
"obstruction" reference.
Time-outs
Only one Team is allowed a time-out per stoppage of play and no time-out will be allowed after a reasonable amount of time has elapsed during a
normal stoppage of play; i.e. once a Team has committed its players for a face-off.
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