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 before participating in this activity. 

General/Eligibility - See the Intramural Sports Handbook for a complete listing of eligibility. (Goalies have some flexibility as they can play on another team, given the scarcity of the position)

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 more than three (3) club players (men’s or women’s team members) may be listed on a roster.  (goalies do not count toward club player limit)
  • Recreational League Teams – No more than two (2) club players (men’s or women’s team members) may be listed on a roster.

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, the use of an ineligible player will result in the team being removed from further competition.

Intramural Team Participation - Individuals may only play on one same sex team and one mixed-gender team per ice hockey 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 to be eligible to participate in playoffs. Confirming that all players are listed on the official roster is the responsibility of the Team Manager(s).

Communication with Staff - Team managers 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 - Six (6) players per team (including the goalie). Competitive league teams must dress a goalie each game or it will be a forfeit. A team may start with no less than five (5) players. In the event a team is playing with the minimum number (5) 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. 

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.

Goalie Substitutions - Goalie substitutions are only allowed if the substitute goalie is present and ready when the goalie requests the substitution. No goalie substitutions will be allowed if the goalie is not fully dressed and ready, and must occur during a stoppage of play. Exception: if the goalie on ice becomes injured. 

Duration of Game and Grace Period

Game Length - Games will consist of three (3) periods. Each period will be twelve (12) minutes in length. During the last two (2) minutes of the game, the clock will stop on all whistles. It is important teams arrive early to change into gear. The game clock may start at the officials discretion in order to keep games moving and on-time. 

Timeouts - Each team will be allowed one timeout per game (1 minute in length). Unused timeout may not be carried over into the Overtime Period (playoffs only). During the playoffs, teams will be awarded one timeout 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 minutes before your scheduled game time. Game time is forfeit time! If one team is late/is not present, the team's manager who 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 still does not show, it will be a forfeit. If the team shows, the game must be played with only the remaining amount of time left.


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

Overtime Procedure
Overtime will only be utilized during the playoffs. All regular-season games may end in a tie.
Tie games will be settled by a five (5) minute (running clock) sudden death victory overtime period. It will be played in a 3v3 format, with 3 players and a goalie for each team on the ice.  If still tied at the conclusion of the OT period, a best-of-3 shoot-out will determine the winner. Teams will be awarded one timeout during OT.

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 - Each team must wear like colored jerseys with numbers. IMS will have jerseys available and they must be returned after the game. If a jersey is not returned, the person who last checked it out could face a suspension and fine. 

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 - Long pants, hockey gloves, sticks, skates, and helmets with cages or clear visors covering the entire face are mandatory! No lacrosse helmets or gloves will be allowed. Shin pads, elbow pads, 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.

Rental Equipment:  We have limited sticks and gloves we can lend out. Helmets are available as needed. 

Goalie Equipment - Full goalie equipment is required. IMS has goalie gear available on hand for teams if needed.

Playing Rules

  • Body Checking: Body checking is strictly prohibited and will result in penalties.
  • Slap Shots: Slap shots are not allowed. A slap shot is defined as a shot 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 offending team be issued 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.

 

Penalties
In intramural 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 twelve (12) or more penalty minutes in one game shall forfeit that game. Any player receiving 6 or more penalty minutes in a game will be removed from the game. 

The following actions are subject to penalty minutes:

Minor 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:

  • 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 lying on the ice in an effort to protect the goal area
  • Players cannot lay their sticks down to protect the goal area
  • Wearing jewelry
  • A person other than the captain disputing an official’s ruling
  • Disrespect to any official
  • Equipment violation
  • Obscene language/gestures
  • Player not going directly to the 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

 

Definitions:

  • Boarding: Any player who 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. Example: a defensive player intentionally knocking down the goal net in the two minutes of regulation or overtime, or an offensive player being prevented from a great scoring opportunity by a defensive player tackling or tripping them from behind.