3v3 Ice Hockey

The rules governing this intramural sport activity are derived from rules used by the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and rules unique to the UVM Intramural Sports Program. This rules sheet is not meant to be all-inclusive; rather it is a summary of the more common rules, policies, and procedures used by the Intramural Sports Program. All important policy information can be found in the Intramural Sports Handbook, which is available on our website. All team managers and players are responsible for reading this document and understanding the rules, policies, and procedures prior to participating in this activity.

General/Eligibility - See the Intramural Sports Handbook for complete listing of eligibility.

Varsity & Club Player Eligibility

  • Members of the UVM Varsity Ice Hockey Teams are not eligible to participate in intramural hockey.
  • Members of the UVM Club Ice/Roller Hockey Teams are eligible to participate in intramural hockey; however these players are subject to the following participation guidelines:
    • Competitive League Teams – No restrictions
    • Recreational League Teams – No club players
  • Penalty: Any team with a varsity player on the roster or that is in violation of the club player participation guidelines will automatically forfeit every game in which the ineligible player(s) participated. During playoffs, use of an ineligible player will result from the team being removed from further competition.

Intramural Team Participation - Individuals may only play on one 3v3 hockey team per season.

UVM Identification - All players MUST present a UVM Cat Card to the IMS Supervisor prior to each game. Players who do not have their Cat Card will be subject to the terms of the Campus Recreation ID Policy.

Team Rosters - The official team roster consists only of those individuals who are eligible and who have signed the official roster/waiver. Individuals must be listed on the official roster by the end of regular season play in order to be eligible to participate in playoffs. Confirming that all players are listed on the official roster is the responsibility of the Team captain(s).

Communication with Staff - Team captains are the only individuals permitted to speak with officials regarding substitutions, calls, or questions. If another player attempts to dispute, a warning may be issued. Subsequently, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty may be called followed by a possible ejection.

Players

Players - Three (3) players per team, 3v3 hockey is an open league. A team may start with no less than two (2) players. In the event a team is playing with the minimum number (2) of players, and a player becomes injured or has to leave (other than an ejection) the game will continue until it is deemed a farce as determined by the officials and supervisor.

Goalies - 3v3 hockey is played without a goalie.  

Substitutions - Unlimited Substitutions: Substitutions “on the fly” are permitted and substitutes can also enter on any stoppage of play. All substitutes must enter from their team bench. NO substitution is permitted for an ejected player. The team will play shorthanded for the remainder of the game. If a team loses two players due to ejection, the team will automatically forfeit.

Goals

Goals must be scored from beyond the faceoff circle in your offensive zone

A goal in 3v3 hockey is anytime: The puck crosses the goal line and enters the net without being kicked or batted in by a hand/foot

Duration of Game and Grace Period
Game Length: Games will consist of two 15-minute halves. The clock will run continuously and will only stop for injuries, time-outs, and official time outs. The clock will stop in the last one (1) minute of the game after scores, for pucks that are hit out of play, injuries, and timeouts.

Timeouts: Each team will be allowed two (2) timeouts per game (1 minute in length). Unused timeouts may not be carried over into the Overtime Period (playoffs only). During playoffs, teams will be awarded one, 1-minute time out during OT.

Game Time is Forfeit Time! All intramural events are tightly scheduled based on facility availability to allow for maximum participation, so keeping the games on schedule is very important. Please have your team at the field checked-in and ready to play at least 15 (15) minutes before your scheduled game time. Game time if forfeit time! If one team is late/is not present, the team’s captain that is present and has the minimum number of participants required ready to play will be given two options (once a decision is made it cannot be changed):

  • Take the forfeit immediately
  • Give the team five (5) minutes to show
  • If the team shows, the game must be played with only the remaining amount of time left. If the team still does not show, it will be a forfeit.

Reverse Clause: The IM Staff reserves the right to make any necessary time/schedule adjustments due to facility availability and conflicts.

Mercy Rule: If a team is down by seven (7) goals or more at the two-minute mark in the second half, the game will end.

Equipment

Jerseys - HOME TEAM (team listed first on schedule) is required to bring and wear DARK shirts and the AWAY TEAM (listed second) is required to wear LIGHT shirts. There will be a limited number of pinnies made available to teams or players who forget to comply with this rule.

Jewelry - All jewelry must be removed. This includes, but is not limited to, necklaces, earrings, newly pierced earrings, facial piercings, rings, bracelets, and watches. Individuals will not be allowed to tape over any jewelry item. If you cannot remove the item then you CANNOT play.

Equipment - Gloves, sticks, skates and helmets with face guards covering the entire face, are mandatory! No lacrosse helmets or gloves will be allowed. Shin pads, elbow pads, pants, mouth guards and chest/shoulder protectors are highly recommended. Players not having the minimum required equipment will not be allowed to participate. Questionable equipment is subject to approval by the IMS supervisor/official.

Goalie Equipment - Is not allowed to be worn by any player on the ice. This includes sticks, gloves, and goalie pads but players can use goalie helmets and skates

Playing Rules

  • Body Checking: Body checking is not permitted and will be penalized.
  • Slap Shots: Slap shots are not allowed. A slap shot is defined as a shot being taken where the blade of the stick starts above the player’s knee. The first slap shot will be penalized with a face-off in the offending player’s defensive zone. If repeated, the slap shot will be penalized with a 2-minute penalty.
  • Thrown Sticks: If a stick is thrown during an obvious scoring opportunity, a penalty shot will be awarded. If a stick is thrown during any other time, the other team will receive a penalty shot.
  • Icing: There is no icing in 3v3 Hockey
  • Offsides: There is no offsides in 3v3 Hockey.

Penalties
Referees will award a penalty shot to the opposing team when a minor penalty is called. A penalty shot will be taken from the faceoff dot closest to where the penalty occurred and must be attempted within 30 seconds of the penalty being called. Anyone on the opposing team who was on the ice can take the shot. After a penalty shot has been awarded the game will start with a face off at center ice.

In intramural 3v3 hockey penalties will impact your team’s sportsmanship rating (i.e., if your team earns a high number of penalties it will be reflected in your sportsmanship rating).

Excessive Penalties: Any team accumulating five (5) or more penalty shots in one game shall forfeit that game and the team captain must meet with the Assistant Director of Intramural Sports before the team may participate again (see Ejected Player polices).

The following penalties will result in penalty shots for the other team:

  • Tripping
  • Holding
  • High sticking
  • Hooking
  • Slashing
  • Slap shots (second offense)
  • Delay of game
  • Bench minors (too many players on the ice, taking too many time-outs, etc.)*
  • Falling or Laying on the ice in an effort to protect the goal area
  • Players cannot lay their sticks down to protect the goal area

Major penalties may be given to any player and will last for Two (2) minutes. Teams are not allowed to substitute for that person. The following infractions are subject to this penalty administration:

  • Wearing jewelry
  • Person other than the captain disputing an official’s ruling
  • Disrespect to any official
  • Equipment violation
  • Obscene language/gestures
  • Penalized player not going directly to penalty box
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct
  • Body checking/excessive contact

Misconduct penalties will result in a five minute major and ejection. Teams are unable to substitute for a player who is ejected for misconduct. Misconduct penalties include the following infractions:

  • Fighting
  • High sticking to the face/head
  • Any contact to the head at all
  • Throwing a stick at a player
  • Checking from behind or boarding (head first)
  • Any attempt to injure a player
  • Disrespect to any official
  • Cross-checking
  • Boarding
  • Charging
  • Roughing

Overtime
Ties: There is no overtime in the regular season.
Overtime Procedure: During the playoffs, tie games will be settled by a three (3) minute (running clock) sudden victory overtime period. If still tied at the conclusion of the OT period, another three (3) minute (running clock) sudden victory overtime period will be played.
Definitions:

  • Boarding: Any player that checks the opponent into the boards.
  • Cross-checking: A check delivered by extending the arms with both hands on the stick and making contact with the opponent above the waist.
  • Butt-ending: Any player swinging the end of the stick at the opposing player, regardless of whether contact is made
  • Slashing: Any player who swings the stick at any opposing player or makes a wild swing at the puck with the object of intimidating the opponent.
  • Penalty Shot: A breakaway shot between the person taking it and the goaltender. The player carries the puck from the red line and has one shot on net. The goalie must remain in the crease until the shooter touches the puck. Only the fouled player can take the penalty shot. A penalty shot is awarded to restore a lost scoring opportunity. Examples- in the two minutes of regulation or overtime, a defensive player intentionally knocks down the goal net; or the offensive player was prevented a great scoring opportunity by the defensive player tackling or tripping them from behind.