The NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules Committee identified intent-to-injure penalties, sportsmanship and speeding up the game as major points of emphasis during its annual meeting June 3-7 in San Francisco.

In an effort to curb rising instances of violence in both men's and women's ice hockey, intent-to-injure penalties -- especially hits to the head area -- were a major topic of discussion for the group. The committee re-emphasized its wish to have hitting-from-behind penalties called and penalized properly.

Additionally, the group discussed several dangerous plays that have been brought to the committee's attention. After viewing videotapes of some plays, the committee voted to add a new penalty for clipping, which is defined as a hit at or below the knee.

"Those types of dangerous plays are starting to occur more frequently," said Joe Bertagna, chair of the committee and commissioner of Hockey East Association. "We feel it warranted its own penalty and it must be called."

For women's ice hockey only, the body-checking rule was clarified with the hope that game officials will call the rule more consistently. While some body contact is allowed in the women's game, body checks are not.

"What we've tried to do is lessen the gray area," Bertagna said. "The way the rule was written previously, there seemed to be contradicting statements, making it difficult for officials to govern this rule."

In addition to re-emphasizing intent-to-injure penalties, the committee also will remind coaches, officials and administrators that helmets must be securely fastened. This will be noted on the ice hockey rules videotape, too.

Pace of play

During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the hockey community watched as the 15-second faceoff procedure used in international rules significantly decreased overall game times and virtually eliminated stalling during line changes.

After limited success in speeding up the game last year, the committee voted to implement 15-second faceoffs.

"The difference from what we saw during the Olympics was remarkable compared to what we see in some college games," Bertagna said. "It will take some adjusting by players, coaches and officials. We feel that we have a responsibility to ensure the game is played efficiently, with few delays between play."

In the procedure, when a whistle stops play, the head official will signal the visiting team and allow no more than five seconds to change its players. At the end of five seconds, the official will signal the home team and allow five seconds for a change of players. At the end of that time, the assistant referee or linesman will blow the whistle at the faceoff spot, indicating that the puck will be dropped in five seconds.

Should one team encroach or be offside before the faceoff, that team's center will not be allowed to take the faceoff. If this occurs a second time, a delay of game penalty will be enforced.

Sportsmanship was another major topic during the meetings, particularly in relation to officials. The general feeling of the committee is that bench personnel and players have been given too much latitude to berate officials during the game.

"Often, the problem lies with an official allowing the abuse to continue without calling a penalty," Bertagna said. "We are asking the officials to set the tone before the game by reading a statement reminding teams that they are not to continually dispute the official's decisions."

For consistency and sportsmanship, the group also clarified national-anthem procedures and postgame handshakes. The committee also reinforced that teams are not to leave their bench area between periods until instructed to do so by the on-ice officials.

The committee reiterated the importance of all conferences and institutions abiding by the rules. "We still hear reports of some leagues or schools fashioning their own interpretations of the book," said Bertagna. "The integrity of the game depends on the uniform acceptance and understanding of this one book as interpreted by the rules committee on behalf of NCAA institutions."

Jurisdiction issues

In a major change for college hockey, the committee voted to allow game officials -- in specific situations -- to award goals. In all cases, the goal must have been imminent and obvious, but prevented by an illegal act of the opposing team.

For example, Team A pulls its goaltender for an extra attacker. Player B1 intercepts a pass and crosses the blue line, certain to score on the empty net. By throwing the stick, Player A1 knocks the puck away from Player B1. Previously, the game official could award only a penalty shot/optional minor in this case.

"The important piece of this is that the goal must be imminent and obvious," Bertagna said. "The committee felt there should be some way to award a goal in these situations."

In another change that could affect scoring, particularly in NCAA championship competition, the committee added to the video replay procedure. Video replay is permissible only during regular-season and postseason tournaments, and is used in the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship and National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship.

If the attacking team scores a goal that is the direct result of a hand pass or high-stick that is initiated or completed in the goalkeeper's privileged area, the video replay official shall disallow the goal.

"This change gives the replay officials and on-ice officials more latitude," Bertagna said. "This specifically applies to situations where there is a scramble in front of the net. The official's first priority is watching the net. There is the possibility that a hand pass or high-stick could go undetected."

Other highlights

Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules Committee
June 3-7/San Francisco

Recommended a modified crease, which mirrors the current National Hockey League crease. The committee hopes that most conferences will adopt the modified crease.

Heard a report from Frank Cole, national coordinator of officials, including preparation of the annual rules video and conference clinics.

Met with the Divisions I and III Men's and National Collegiate and Division III Women's Ice Hockey Committees, as well as the Division I men's conference commissioners. The committee felt this was extremely beneficial, and meeting at the same site assisted the group in making more informed decisions.

Decided to draft a letter to all conferences and ice hockey playing institutions regarding the rules changes and expectations of the rules book.

Recognized Joe Bertagna, Hockey East Association; Tim Coghlin, St. Norbert College; and Ron Mason, Michigan State University, for their years of service to the committee.