NHL Rule Changes for 08-09

[Guest Low Roller]

The NHL is taking steps to avoid those nasty end-board crunches that can occur after races for the puck.

It's not pure no-touch icing, but beginning this season linesmen will have the option of blowing the whistle and calling icing if a defending player is clearly ahead at the top of the circle.

And a change to Rule 81.1 on icing will state that, "Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must befor the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating theopponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact couldresult in penalties being assessed to the offending player."

Another tweak: The first faceoff of a power play, regardless of where the play was whistled down, will take placein the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.

The last change will be to Rule 85.5 on faceoff location, saying that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent faceoff will remain in the end zone where the puck went outof play.

[Tissue Man]

It's not pure no-touch icing, but beginning this season linesmen will have the option of blowing the whistle and calling icing if a defending player is clearly ahead at the top of the circle.

what a stupid rule change. we will blow it down if there is no race but if there is a race and threat of a crash into the boards we will keep it going.

what a dumb decision.

[rubberdinghy]

not so smart