Rule 4 - Ineligible Players 

Players will be deemed ineligible to participate if: 
a. The player is currently suspended by the PHL. 
b. The player has not played a shift before the end of the first half. 
c. The player has not paid league fees or signed waiver and thus suspended.

Rule 5 - Insufficient lineups 

If a team cannot provide the minimum number of players required to participate in a 5-on-5 game plus goalkeepers, they must forfeit the game and their opponents will be awarded two points for the victory and recorded as 5-0 for statistic purposes. 

If both teams cannot provide the minimum number of players required for a 5-on-5 game, the game will be declared a 0-0 draw with no points awarded to either team. 

During the regular season only, a team may request a league back up goalie if their starter is unable to attend. One will be provided depending on advance notice by captains and the availability of the back ups. However, if no league back up is available the team is required to use their own player in net, or play with 6 players on the floor. There may be spare goalie equipment available however, that is ultimately the team's responsibility. Any violation of this rule will result in a 5-0 forfeit loss for the offender.

Rule 6 - Captains and Assistant Captains 

Each team shall have one Captain, and he alone shall have the privilege of discussing with the Referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules, which may arise during the progress of a game. If the Captain is not participating, the Assistant Captain will be accorded the privileges of the Captain.

Rule 7 - Injured Players 

When a player is injured and play is blown dead, he must be replaced for the following face-off by a teammate. The player is permitted to re-enter the game when play resumes and he is able to change with a teammate. 

If a penalized player has been injured, he may proceed to the dressing room without the necessity of taking a seat on the penalty bench. If the injured player receives a minor penalty, the penalized team shall immediately put a substitute player on the penalty bench, who shall serve the penalty until such time as the injured player is able to return to the game.

Rule 8 - Helmets 

Players and goalkeepers must wear CSA approved helmets at all times. Players must also have a proper chin-strap properly affixed at all times (i.e. a 'hand-made' chinstrap made out of tape or a shoe lace will not suffice). Should it be brought to the attention of the Referee that a player is not wearing a helmet during play (i.e. the helmet comes off and the player does not replace it or immediately return to bench); an Illegal Equipment minor penalty will be assessed. A penalty will also be assessed for any player spotted playing without his chinstrap.

Rule 9 - Broken Sticks 

A player or goalkeeper cannot participate with a broken stick at any point during play. If a stick breaks during play, the player or goalkeeper must drop the broken stick and proceed to play without a stick, grab a new stick from the bench, or go to the bench. If the player or goalkeeper continues to play with the broken stick, he will be assessed an Illegal Equipment minor penalty.

 

Rule 10 - Calling a Penalty 

Should an infraction of the rules that would result in a minor, major, misconduct, game misconduct or match penalty be committed by a player or goalkeeper of the side in possession of the ball, the Referee shall immediately blow the play dead and penalize the offending player of goalkeeper. 

Should an infraction be committed while the other team is in possession of the ball, the Referee shall raise his arm to signal a penalty and blow the play dead once the offending team has gained possession of the ball. The offending player will then be penalized. 

If a goal is scored when a team without possession of the ball is to be called for a penalty, the Referee will use his discretion to decide whether the penalty will still be assessed after the goal. Generally, flagrant penalties (i.e., butt-ending, high-sticking majors, spearing) will be assessed. 

Possession of ball is defined for the purposes of this rule as 'control of the ball' not simply 'touching the ball' (i.e., if the ball deflects off of a player on the infraction team or if he deflects it with his stick, it does not constitute possession and no stoppage in play would occur).

Rule 11 - Minor Penalties 

11.1 Minor Penalty 

For a minor penalty, any player shall be ruled off the floor for three (3) minutes during which no substitute shall be permitted. If a goalkeeper is penalized, a player on his team from the floor at the point of infraction (not stoppage of play) will be selected by the Captain of the offending team to serve the penalty. 

Refer to Table 1 - Summary of Minor Penalties for a list of infractions that can result in a minor penalty. 

11.2 Short-handed 

The team assessed a minor penalty will be considered 'short-handed.' The team is short-handed (i.e. at a numerical disadvantage) until the penalty expires and the player is allowed to return, or until the opposing team scores while at a numerical advantage (power play). 

If both teams are assessed minor penalties, neither team will be short-handed. The penalties will be coincidental, and the teams will play five-on-five. If a team scores while the teams are playing five-on-five, neither penalty will expire early. If the penalties are not coincidental (i.e., one team has a tripping call and other team has a roughing call), play will resume at four-on-four until the penalties have expired. If a team scores while the teams are playing four-on-four, neither penalty will expire early. 

In the case of two players from the same team being penalized at the same time, the player whose penalty is to expire first will return first. This will occur either when (a) the penalty time is expired or when (b) the team on the power-play scores. If both players were assessed penalties at the same time, the captain will decide who returns first in the case of a power play goal.

Rule 12 - Bench Minor Penalties 

12.1 Bench Minor Penalty 

A bench minor penalty involves the removal from the floor of one player of the team against which the penalty is assessed for a period of three (3) minutes. Any player except a goalkeeper of the team may be designated to serve the penalty by the Captain and such player shall take his place on the penalty bench promptly and serve the penalty as if it was a minor penalty imposed upon him. 

Refer to Table 2 - Summary of Bench Minor Penalties for a list of infractions that can result in a minor penalty. 

12.2 Short-handed 

See rule 11.2

Rule 13 - Double Minor Penalties 

13.1 Double Minor Penalty 

For a double-minor penalty, any player shall be ruled off the floor for six (6) minutes during which no substitute shall be permitted. If a goalkeeper is penalized, a player on his team from the floor at the point of infraction (not stoppage of play) will be selected by the Captain of the offending team to serve the penalty. 

Refer to Table 1 - Summary of Minor Penalties for a list of infractions that can result in a double-minor penalty. 

13.2 Short-handed 

See rule 11.2 

Note that in the case of double-minor penalty, the penalized player will be serving two consecutive penalties. As a result, if the team is scored against while serving the first penalty, that penalty will be washed out but the remaining three-minute minor will be immediately served.

Rule 14 - Major Penalties 

14.1 Major Penalty 

For a major penalty, any player shall be ruled off the floor for five (5) minutes during which no substitute shall be permitted. If a goalkeeper is penalized, a player on his team from the floor at the point of infraction (not stoppage of play) will be selected by the Captain of the offending team to serve the penalty. 

Refer to Table 3 - Summary of Major Penalties for a list of infractions that can result in a major penalty. 

14.2 Short-handed 

See rule 11.2 

Note that in the case of a major penalty, the penalized player must serve the entire five minutes, even if his team is scored against while short-handed.

Rule 15 - Match Penalties 

15.1 Match Penalty 

A match penalty involves the suspension of a player or goalkeeper for the balance of the game and the offender shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately. A match occurs automatically in case of one of the following circumstances: 
1. When a player or goalkeeper deliberately attempts to injure an opponent in any manner. 
2. When a player or goalkeeper deliberately injures an opponent in any manner. 
3. When a player is penalized for a third time in the game. 
4. When a player or goalkeeper violates any facility rules or regulations. 

Refer to Table 4 - Summary of Match Penalties for a list of infractions that can also result in a match penalty. 

15.2 Short-handed 

A player receiving a match penalty does not cause his team to play short-handed unless he also receives a minor or major penalty in addition to the misconduct penalty. However, in PHL statistics, a player is charged with ten (10) penalty minutes for a match penalty.

Rule 16 - Misconduct Penalties 

16.1 Misconduct Penalty 

A misconduct penalty will be assessed to any player or goalkeeper that the referee deems necessary to be out of the game for ten minutes. There are no exact requirements for misconduct. However, it will most often be called in the event of a minor, double-minor or major alone not being sufficient, and a match penalty being excessive. 

In the event of misconduct penalties to any players except the goalkeeper, the players shall be ruled off the ice for a period of ten (10) minutes each. A substitute player is permitted to immediately replace a player serving a misconduct penalty. A player whose misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the penalty box until the next stoppage of play. 

Should a goalkeeper incur a misconduct penalty, this penalty shall be served by a teammate who was on the floor at the time of infraction designated by the team captain. 

16.2 Short-handed 

A player receiving a misconduct penalty does not cause his team to play short-handed unless he also receives a minor or major penalty in addition to the misconduct penalty.

Rule 17 - Penalty Shots 

17.1 Penalty Shot 

A penalty shot is designed to restore a scoring opportunity that was lost as a result of a foul being committed by the offending team. 

Refer to Table 5 - Summary of Penalties that may result in Penalty Shots for a list of infractions that can result in a penalty shot. 

17.2 Procedure 

A penalty shot is to be called by the Referee in the same fashion as a minor penalty. When play is stopped, he will point to center ice to signify the penalty shot. The ball will be placed at center ice and all players but the two participants must clear the playing area. One Referee will stand at center to blow his whistle when both players are ready, allowing the shooter to play the ball. The other Referee will stand at the goal line to call goal or no goal. The shooter must maintain forward momentum and the ball must continue to have forward momentum, or the play is dead. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind (an exception being the ball off the goal post or crossbar, then the goalkeeper and then directly into the goal), and any time the ball crosses the goal line or comes to a complete stop, the shot shall be considered complete. 

The lacrosse-like move whereby the ball is picked up on the blade of the stick and 'whipped' into the net shall be permitted provided the ball is not raised above the height of the shoulders at any time and when released, is not carried higher than the crossbar. Please note that if the player makes contact with the ball above the height of the shoulders, it will not result in a minor penalty for high-sticking. 

The spin-o-rama type move where the player completes a 360° turn as he approaches the goal, shall be permitted as this involves continuous motion. 

The goalkeeper must remain in his crease until the player taking the penalty shot has touched the ball. 

17.3 Other Penalties 

If the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as to normally incur a minor penalty, then regardless of whether the penalty shot results in a goal or not, no further minor penalty shall be served. 

If the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as to incur a double-minor penalty, or where the offending team is assessed an additional minor penalty on the same play in which a penalty shot was awarded, the first minor penalty is not assessed since the penalty shot was awarded to restore the lost scoring opportunity. The second minor penalty would be assessed and served regardless of whether the penalty shot results in a goal. 

17.4 Designated Player 

In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded to a player specifically fouled, that player shall be designated by the Referee to take the penalty shot. In all other cases where a penalty shot has been awarded, the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected by the Captain from the players on the floor at the time when the foul was committed. Such selection shall be reported to the Referee.

Rule 18 - Supplementary Discipline 

The league may, at discretion, investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any League or Playoff game and may assess suspensions for any offense committed during the course of a game or any aftermath thereof by a player, goalkeeper, or non-playing team member, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the Referee.

Rule 19 - Face-Off 

A face-off begins when the official indicates the location of the face-off and the officials and players take their appropriate positions. The face-off ends when the ball has been legally dropped. Face-offs can only occur at one of the nine clearly designated face-off dots. 

19.1 Stoppage in attacking zone caused by attacking side 

When an infringement of a rule has been committed (i.e. off-side gaining the zone) or a stoppage of play (i.e. ball shot out of play) has been caused by any player of the attacking side in the attacking zone, the ensuing face-off shall be made in the neutral zone on the nearest face-off spot. 

19.2 Stoppage in the neutral zone 

When an infringement of a rule has been committed or a stoppage of play has been committed in the neutral zone by a player of either side, the ensuing face-off shall be made in the neutral zone on the nearest face-off spot that provides the least territorial advantage to the team causing the stoppage of play. 

19.3 Stoppage caused by defending player when attacking player is to be penalized 

If an attacking player is to be penalized, and the play is stopped due to the actions of a defending player (i.e. ball frozen by the goalkeeper) the ensuing face-off will remain in the defending zone of the non-offending team. This is also true for situations whereby the attacking team is penalized after the play has been stopped in the attacking zone by an act by the defending team. The face-off would remain in the non-offending team's end zone. 

19.4 Stoppage as a result of infringement by both sides 

When an infringement of a rule has been committed by players of both sides in the play resulting in the stoppage, the ensuing face-off will be made at the nearest face-off spot in that zone. 

19.5 Stoppages in attacking zones 

When stoppage occurs between the end face-off spots and near end of the rink, the ball shall be faced-off at the end face-off spot on the side where the stoppage occurs unless otherwise expressly provided by these rules. 

19.6 Scrums, icings and intentional off-sides 

Following a stoppage of play, should one or both defensemen who are the point players or any player coming from the bench of the attacking team, enter into the attacking zone beyond the outer edge of the end zone face-off circle during an altercation, gathering or 'scrum,' the ensuing face-off shall take place in the neutral zone near the blue line of the defending team. This rule also applies when an icing or an intentional off-side has occurred, and the ensuing face-off is to be in the offending team's defending zone. 

19.7 Injured Players 

When play is stopped for an injured player, the ensuing face-off shall be conducted at the face-off spot in the zone nearest the location of the ball when the play was stopped. When the injured player's team has possession of the ball in the attacking zone, the face-off shall be conducted at one of the face-off spots outside the blue line in the neutral zone. When the injured player is in his defending zone and the attacking team is in possession of the ball in the attacking zone, the face-off shall be conducted at one of the defending team's end-zone face-off spots. 

19.8 Procedure 

Once the face-off spot is chosen and teams have made necessary line changes, centers must squarely face each other with stick blades flat on floor outside the face-off dot. Teammates must line up outside the face-off circle. 

19.9 Violations 

Players cannot raise their stick or make contact with the ball until it has made contact with floor. If the ball is dropped unfairly by the Referee, the face-off will immediately be repeated. If a player gains an unfair advantage (as deemed by the Referee) by raising or moving his stick early and making contact with the ball before it touches the floor, the he will be waived out of the face-off and is to be replaced by another player on his team. The face-off will be done again at the same spot. If the substitute player is also called for gaining an unfair advantage, the team will be assessed a bench minor penalty for Delay of Game. The penalty must be served by a player on the floor. 

The same rule applies for other players (wingers and defenders) who step inside the face-off circle before the ball is dropped. After the first offence, the offending team's center will have to be replaced by another player. 

If a team is, in the opinion of the Referee, taking too long to line-up for face-offs, they will be given one warning and then assessed a bench minor penalty for Delay of Game to be served by any player on the floor designated by the Captain.

Rule 20 - Hand Pass 

A player shall be permitted to stop or 'bat' a ball in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the Referee, he has directed the ball to a teammate. 

A player shall be permitted to catch the ball out of the air but must immediately place it or knock it down to the ice. If he catches it and runs with it, either to avoid a check or to gain a territorial advantage over his opponent, a minor penalty shall be assessed for 'closing his hand on the ball' (see Table 1 - Summary of Minor Penalties). 

20.1 Defending Zone 
Play will not be stopped for any hand pass by players in their own defending zone (within the blue line). A hand pass in the defending zone is considered to have occurred when both the player making the pass and the player receiving the pass have both of their feet inside their defending zone (within the blue line). If the defending player who receives the pass is outside of the blue regardless of the offensive team having the zone, the play is stopped.

Rule 21 - High Sticking the Ball 

Batting the ball above that players' shoulder level with a stick is prohibited. When a ball is struck with a high stick, play will immediately be blown and the offending player assessed a minor penalty (see Table 1 - Summary of Minor Penalties). 

If a goal is scored as a result of a stick making contact with the ball above that players' shoulder level, it will be disallowed and the offending player will still be penalized. If the contact is made above the cross bar, but below his shoulder level, the goal will be disallowed, but no penalty will be assessed. If the ball is batted into the defending net with a high stick by a defending player, the goal will be allowed. However, the player will not be penalized.

Rule 22 - Shots hitting Goalkeepers' Masks 

When the ball is shot off the mask of a goaltender, play is to be blown dead immediately and a face-off is to take place at the nearest face-off spot. If the ball goes off the goalkeeper's mask and into the net, the goal will stand.

Rule 23 - Stop Time 

23.1 Game Delays 

The clock shall not be stopped at any point of the first half, or until three minutes are remaining in the second half, unless: 
1. A player is significantly injured on the floor and, in the opinion of the Referee, is taking too much time off the clock. 
2. Referees need time to discuss calls such as penalties or allowing goals. 
3. A Captain calls time-out. Each team is allowed one time-out per game, which are one minute each. 

It is the Referee's call to stop time, not the players or timekeepers. 

23.2 Stop Time at End of Game 

When there is three minutes or less remaining in the game and the teams are within three goals or less of each other, the timekeeper will stop the clock at every whistle. Icing (see Rule 23) will also be in play. 

If a team goes up by more than three goals when there is stop time (i.e. score of 3-0 with 3:00 left, then 4-0 with 2:00 left), the rule will not be followed (no stop time) unless the goal differential goes down to three again (i.e. 4-1).

Rule 24 - Icing 

24.1 Icing 

Icing is only in effect when there is stop time (less than three minutes left in the game and a goal differential of three or less). For the purpose of this rule, the center red line will divide the rink into halves. 

For the purpose of this rule, the point of last contact with the ball by the team in possession shall be used to determine whether icing has occurred or not. As such, the team in possession must 'gain the line' in order for the icing to be nullified. 'Gaining the line' shall mean that the ball (not the player's foot) must make contact with the center red line in order to nullify a potential icing. For the purpose of interpretation of the rule, 'icing the ball' is completed the instant the ball passes the goal line (no touch icing). 

24.2 Face-off Location 

The resulting face-off shall take place at the end face-off spot of the defending team. If the Referee mistakenly called icing, the face-off will take spot at the center face-off spot. 

24.3 Goalkeeper 

If, in the opinion of the Referee, the goalkeeper feigns playing the ball, attempts to play the ball, or heads in the direction of the ball on an icing at any time, the potential icing shall not be called and play shall continue. 

24.4 No Icing 

If a player 'beats out' the icing call by touching the ball before it crosses the opponent's goal line, icing will be waived off and play will continue. 

If, in the Referee's opinion, a defending player is able to touch the ball before crossing the goal line then icing will not be called and play will continue. 

The Referee also has the discretion to wave off icings if he deems the ball shot from before the center line could have been attained by a teammate past the centerline (i.e. a missed pass).

Rule 25 - Off-side 

25.1 Off-side 

The position of the player's feet and not that of his stick shall be the determining factor in all instances in deciding an off-side. A player is off-side when both feet are completely over the leading edge of the blue line involved in the play. 

A player is on-side when either of his feet are in contact with, or on his own side of the line, at the instant the ball completely crosses the leading edge of the blue line regardless of the position of his stick. 

However, a player actually controlling the ball who shall cross the line ahead of the ball shall not be considered 'off-side,' provided he had possession and control of the ball prior to his feet crossing the blue line. 

It should be noted that while the position of the player's ball is what determines whether a player is 'off-side,' nevertheless the question of an 'off-side' never arises until the ball has completely crossed the leading edge of the blue line at which time the decision is to be made. 

25.2 Floating Blue Line 

Once the attacking team has gained legal entry into the offensive zone, the center red line will serve as the blue line for the purpose of this rule. As a result, attacking players are free to play the ball outside the blue line until it is played outside the red line. 

Once the ball is played outside the red line, the attacking team will only have to clear the blue line in order to gain entry into the zone once again. 

25. 3 Deflections / Rebounds 

If a ball clearly rebounds off a defending player outside the zone back into the defending zone, all attacking players are eligible to play the ball. However, any action by an attacking player that causes a deflection/rebound off a defending player back into the defending zone (i.e. stick check, body check, physical contact), a delayed off-side shall be signaled by the Referee. 

A ball that deflects back into the defending zone off an official who is outside the zone will be off-side (or delayed off-side, as appropriate). 

25.4 Delayed Off-side 

A situation where an attacking player (or players) has preceded the ball across the attacking blue line, but the defending team is in a position to bring the ball back out of its defending zone without any delay or contact with an attacking player, or, the attacking players are in the process of clearing the attacking zone. 

If the attacking team does not clear the attacking zone, play shall be stopped for the off-side violation if any attacking player touches the ball, or attempts to gain possession of a loose ball while the ball is still in the attacking zone, or forces the defending ball carrier further back into the attacking zone, or who is about to make physical contact with the defending ball carrier. 

25.5 Intentional Off-side 

An intentional off-side is one which is made for the purpose of securing a stoppage of play regardless of the reason, whether either team is short-handed. 

If, while an off-side call is delayed, a player of the offending team deliberately touches the ball to create a stoppage of play, the Referee will signal an intentional off-side and the ensuing face-off will take place in the offending team's zone.