The basic principle is to score more goals than your opponent, or put another way, concede less goals than your opponent. Games are played over 3 x 20 minute “stop time” periods. This means that when the whistle blows the match clock stops. If scores are level at the end of those 60 minutes, a maximum of 5 minutes of “overtime” is played. The first team to scores wins. Should the teams remain tied, then penalty shots will determine the winner.

The rules are enforced by the match officials. Known as “Team Stripes” they normally consist of a referee and two linesmen. Occasionally the game may be overseen by two referees. The officials wear the black and white striped shirts. Referees were red arm bands. 

Penalties are called by the referee and will result in players leaving the ice and sitting time in the penalty box, known as the sin bin. For serious penalties, players will be removed from the game and sent to the dressing room. When players are in the sin bin, teams will generally play with less players on the ice, known as being short-handed, while the other team, with the extra player, is on the power-play. If penalties are called at the same time, these may not be shown on the game clock, they are known as coincidental minor penalties and player numbers on the ice will not be reduced. 

Our game announcer will let you know about the goals and penalties. If there is something that you do not understand, then seek out one of our volunteer team, and they will help you. (They are the ones with the hoodies with “Volunteer” on the back)  

There are a couple of rules, peculiar to the sport, and we have explained these below. 

Offside 

A player is offside if a player on the attacking team does not control the puck and is in the offensive zone when a different attacking player causes the puck to enter the offensive zone, until either the puck or all attacking players leave the offensive zone. Simply put, the puck must not enter the attacking zone after attacking players. If a player on the attacking team is in the offensive zone before the puck, either an immediate offside occurs, or they must retreat to the neutral zone.

Icing

Icing is an infraction when a player shoots, bats with the hand or stick or deflects the puck over the centre red line and the opposing team’s red goal line, in that order, and the puck remains untouched without scoring a goal. The rule’s main purpose is preventing a defending team from delaying the game by, relatively easily, sending the puck to the other side of the rink. The offending team is not permitted to change its players before the game is restarted with a face off.