Playing Rules

Time of Game
Games are scheduled in 45 minutes time slots. Each game consists of three 10-minute periods, 2 minute intermissions, 5 minute warm-ups.  All time is running time. The clock will be stopped only for injuries, penalty shots, time outs. Each team is allowed two 30-second time-outs per game.
Forfeits
Teams are required to report to their rink 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game time and sign in with the rink scorekeeper. The team captain must notify the rink side official that his/her team is there. If a team still is a no-show after the 5 minute warm-up of their scheduled game time then they automatically forfeit that game. Reporting late to a rink due to game delays or shoot outs will be accommodated. If a team reports to their rink for their next game and the current game is running late, the team captain must inform the rink side official that his/her team is there. At that time, the team must sign in with the rink scorekeeper, and wait for the game to end - do not wander away from the rink.
Team Rankings
NHL Breakout Invitational Championships '04 guidelines determine team rankings - (1) wins vs. losses; (2) head to head results; (3) goals allowed; (4) head to head tiebreaker; (5) goals scored. In case of a three-way tie, we will begin with tie-breaker #3. Once that tie is broken, then we will go back to #1.
Off-Sides and Icing/Illegal Clearing
Traditional off-sides and icing/illegal clearing rules do not apply.
Changing On-The-Fly
Teams can change on-the-fly.
Pulling the Goalie
Team can pull the goalie for an extra man in appropriate situations (delayed penalties, and last minute of each period).
Tied Game/Shoot Out
A three-player shootout will be used to break tied playoff games. If the teams are still tied after the first three players go, it will become a Sudden Death Shootout. In the Championship Game an additional 5-minute sudden death period will be played and if still tied will go to a three-player shootout and then, if necessary, a Sudden death shoot out.
Face-Offs
There will be a center face-off at the start of each period and after every goal. All other player stoppages begin by in-bounding the ball.
Slap shots
Slap shots are allowed. Stick cannot come above shoulders with either the backswing nor the follow-through.
In The Stands
Good fans = good hockey. Spectators who make negative comments from the sidelines take the fun out of the game for those playing. In particular, young players tend to lose their cool when they hear negative remarks during a game. The BlueGrass Street Hockey League encourages fans to enjoy the event and applaud good hockey from both teams.
Take Outs/In Bounding The Ball
There are 3 ways to "take out" the ball and resume play. There are 6 take out spots, one in each corner and two at the center line. All take outs will occur at the take out spot in the zone where the infraction took place.
Take Out Procedure
Referee will blow whistle to stop play, take the ball to appropriate take out spot and will issue a verbal command ("game on") to begin play. In a "take out situation," the team without possession must retreat 10 feet behind the take out spot. The team with possession is allowed to advance the ball through the take out spot without being pressured by the opposing team. Once referee resumes play, player with possession plays the ball past the take out spot, and the attacking team can immediately advance into the play. Player with possession can choose to pass the ball or stickhandle the ball out of the take out spot without passing. Passes must be completed within 5 seconds of referee's verbal command.
Corner Play
When the ball is in the corner, first person to the ball retains possession.  The opposing player will back away and allow the ball to come out.  Play resumes as normal at that point.
Goalie Creases
Attacking player cannot have any portion of their body inside the crease at any time.  Failure to do so will result in a change of possession.  A player from the attacking team CAN have a stick in the crease, but no body part.  Any goal scored with an attacking player in the crease will be negated.  
Defending Team Ball
(Occurs when goalie freezes ball, attacking team shoots ball out of play, or penalties against the attacking team) Defending team takes possession in their zone. The attacking team retreats to the take out lines.
Attacking Team Ball
(Occurs when defending team shoots ball out, or penalties against the defending team) Attacking team takes possession in opponent's zone. The defending team retreats 10 feet from take out spot. Ball out of bounds or frozen in neutral area between the take-out lines Referee determines which team takes possession in referee crease/take out spot. Team without possession retreats to take out lines. The area between the take-out lines is considered neutral area. When the ball becomes unplayable in this area (out of bounds/frozen/penalties), the team that last touched the ball loses possession.
Infractions That Result In A Change Of Possession
High Sticking the ball above the shoulders.
Hand-Passing the ball to a teammate.
Stalling
A team that intentionally stalls while in-bounding the ball or after scoring a goal loses possession. Play resumes at the take out circle in the penalized team's defensive zone.  
Penalties
Body-checking is not allowed. All penalties will be strictly enforced. A minor penalty is assessed for accidental infractions. A major penalty is assessed for deliberate actions and those that have potential for injury or to cause injury. The referee determines severity of penalty and assesses whether it is major or minor.
Minor
Body Checking (intentional pushing and bumping contact on the surface), Delay of game, Hooking, High Sticking, Holding, Interference, Tripping, Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Major (results in ejection from the game)
Body Checking (intentional checking), Butt-ending, Charging, Cross-checking, Elbowing, Fighting, Roughing, Slashing, Spearing, Tripping, Other, Misconduct as determined by the Referee
Minor penalties/infractions
1 minute penalty
When a player is penalized for a minor infraction, the team will play 2 minutes short-handed.
After a player reaches 3 penalties in one game they will be suspended for one period, and ejected from the one they are in. 
Major penalties
4 minute penalty
When a player is penalized for a major infraction, he/she is ejected from that game and will miss one additional game.
Any player assessed two majors will be presented before the committee for possible disciplinary hearing.
 Any team that is assessed four majors will be presented before the committee for possible disciplinary hearing.
Attempt to injure/Deliberate injury
Any intentional illegal action that attempts to injure or deliberately causes an injury to an opposing player, coach or game official (i.e. grabbing the face mask, kicking, kneeing, etc.) will be presented before the committee for possible disciplinary hearing.

 

Additional Guidelines

All players under 18 are required to wear Shin Pads and Helmet unless a parental guardian signs a consent form. The player will be warned two times. The third infraction will result in a suspension.

Use of a non-paid player after their third scheduled game will result in a forfeit. New Players are allowed the same time to get their money in.

A player must play at least six (6) regular season games, excluding commissioner override, with his/her team to be eligible for the playoffs.  Because of the opening tournament being a special event, anyone that plays in that tournament will be credited with a full week's worth of games (2).

Players that arrive late cannot step onto the floor until the beginning of the next period.  If you are not present when the period start, you will have to wait until the next period starts before you can play.

Any individual who persists in arguing with or verbally abusing any referee or scorekeeper will be suspended from league play for a period of time determined by and in the sole discretion of the Committee

Any individual who strikes or attempts to strike a referee will be banned from the league and criminal charges may be filed with the police against the individual.

Fighting is strictly forbidden. Any player who engages in a fight will receive a major penalty, a game misconduct, and a suspension of at least 3 games

Any player who accumulates three minor penalties or one major penalty and one minor penalty will be assessed an automatic game misconduct and suspended for his next game as well

Players are not permitted to call for the ball with their stick above their shoulders.  Any player who does will be assessed a high sticking call against them

Any individual who willfully causes damage to any part of the  Hockey Facility will be suspended from the league for a length of time to be determined by Management and shall repay any restitution deemed necessary to return the property to its previous condition.

If you slide and intentionally take a players legs out you will be assessed a 2 minute double minor (clipping) penalty.

Referees will interpret any penalty of a violent nature that could cause injury to a player in its most severe sense.

If you slam your stick, broken or not, on the surface in an abusive manner, you will be assessed a 1 minute unsportsmanlike penalty.

Management reserves the right to apply a suspension to any and all leagues a player participates in depending on the severity of incident(s) deemed worthy of a suspension

One upward tap of the ball by hand followed by one downward tap of the ball by hand is permitted

You cannot attempt to "trick" opposing players by pretending to be a teammate.  (i.e. - don't call for a pass from an opponent)

If your stick breaks while playing, drop it immediately.  Failure to do so will result in a 1 minute penalty.

If we lend you equipment or such, don’t steal it!  All teams have use of our extra equipment, please do not ruin it.
 

Glossary of Penalties

 

Body checking - Intentionally using the hip, torso or shoulder to cause physical contact with an opponent either along the boards or in an open area.
Butt-ending - Using the shaft end of the stick, above the upper hand to jab an opponent.
Charging - Body-checking and opponent causing him/her to be thrown into the boards.
Cross-checking - Striking an opponent with the shaft of the stick by extending the stick held with both hands.
Delay of game - Causing a stoppage of play by intentionally shooting the ball out of the rink or intentionally freezing the ball with no opposing player in the vicinity or intentionally stalling during a stoppage of play. Or intentionally holding against the wall in the last two minutes of a game.
Elbowing - Extending the elbow to contact an opponent.
Fighting/Roughing - The actual throwing of a punch or intentionally using the hands to push an opponent. Results in immediate ejection from the event.
High sticking - Carrying the stick above the normal height of the shoulder to contact an opponent.
Holding - Using the hand or arm to impede the progress of an opponent.
Hooking - Using the stick blade against an opponent's body and impeding his/her progress by pulling or tugging the stick.
Interference - Impeding the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the ball.
Other misconduct - Actions including, but not limited to, taunting an opponent, interrupting the flow of the game, instigating penalties, agitating players, racial slurs, spitting, obscene gestures, throwing a stick at an opponent, abusing the rink or nets, etc.
Slashing - Striking or attempting to poke an opponent by swinging the stick.
Spearing - Poking or attempting to poke an opponent with the tip of the stick blade.
Tripping - Using the arm, leg or stick to cause an opponent to trip or fall.
Unsportsmanlike conduct - Actions including, but not limited to, disputing a referee's call, arguing with an opponent or teammate, etc.

 

Tournament Format

Each team can have as little as 5 on a team and no more than 15.

Game records will be kept during the season. One referee will always be on the floor, we will TRY and provide two for each game.

All games will be played with the regulation BlueGrass Street Hockey ball provided.

BlueGrass Street Hockey  '04 rules apply (no off-sides, no icing/illegal clearing called)

NO BODY-CHECKING ALLOWED.

After a team is assessed 2 penalties, the opposing team is awarded a penalty shot against the penalized team and every penalty thereafter.

Protective player equipment is required.
REQUIRED -  Helmets and Shin guards (hockey or soccer style) ARE REQUIRED. 
Strongly recommended - Hockey style glove, elbow pads, mouth guards, & face guards.

A "Third Man" rule is in effect during BGHL. If any player and/or coach enters the rink from the bench area with the intent of participating in or starting an altercation, that player and/or coach will be ejected from the tournament.

All teams must have a minimum of five (5) players on their original roster. In the event of an injury or other unforeseen circumstance, BGHL will allow a team to start or continue a game with a minimum of four (4) players and no goalie or three (3) players and one (1) goalie