Due to our new agreement with CARHA, we will be following their suspension guidelines included below:
*Rules that are not included below will follow the existing SARHL rules*
| Rule | Infraction | Type of Penalty | 1st Offence | 2nd Offence | 3rd Offence |
| 31 c) | 2 misconduct penalties (same game) | Game Misc | 1 game | 3 games | Review |
| 32 a) | Game ejection(e.g. 3 penalties) | Game Ejection | No games | No games | No games |
| 33 b) | Making a travesty of the game | Gross Misconduct | Indefinate | Review | Removal |
| 46 b) | Abusive and/or profane language and/or disputing call with an Official | Game Misc | 2 games | Review | Review |
| 46 b) | Making obscene gestures | Gross Misconduct | Indefinate | Review | Review |
| 46 g) | Discriminatory slurs | Gross Misconduct | Indefinate | Review | Removal |
| 48 a) | Deliberate Injury | Match | Review | min 1 year | Removal |
| 48 a) | Deliberate attempt to injure | Match | Review | min 1 year | Removal |
| 48 b) | Head Butting | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 48 c) | Kicking | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 48 d) | Grabbing Face Mask/Visor | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 48 d) | Hair Pulling | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 48 f) | Butt-ending | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 48 g) | Spearing | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 50 b) | Deliberate Head Contact | Match | Review | min 1 year | Removal |
| 53 a) | Checking from behind (Major) | Game Misc | 1 game | Review | Review |
| 53 a) | Checking from behind | Match | Review | Review | Review |
| 58 a) | Fighting – Ring or Tape on Hands | Additional Match | Review | Review | Review |
| 59 a) | 5 minute fighting major | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 59 b) | Player(s) involved in the 2nd, 3rd, or subsequent fight during the same stoppage of play | Game Misc | 1 game | Review | Review |
| 59 b) | Player(s) 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. man into a fight | Game Misc | 1 game | Review | Review |
| 69 b) | First player leaving player’s bench or penalty bench during fight or for the purpose of starting a fight | 4 min + Game Misc | 1 game | Review | Review |
| 71 b) | Physical abuse of an official | Match | Review | min 1 year | Removal |
| 71 c) | Threatening an Official | Match | Review | min 1 year | Removal |
| 81 | Spitting | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| 86 b) | Tripping – Slew Foot | Match | 5 games | Review | Review |
| Various | GMs not listed | Game Misc | 1 game | Review | Review |
| n/a | Penalty Minutes in season reached | League Rule | No games | No games | No games |
1.0 Game Play
1.1 Time
2 – 25 minute periods.
1.1.1 There shall be stop time during the final 3 minutes of the game, if the difference in the score is 2 goals or less. If in the last 3 minutes, the difference becomes 3 goals, then the clock shall resort to running time. (Note- If the difference is larger, but at some point in the final 3 minutes returns to 2 goals or less, the scorekeeper should again use stop time.
1.2 Shootout
There shall be a shootout if the game is tied at the end of regulation time. Each team will select 3 shooters. If the game remains tied, then the shootout will continue, with each team selecting one player at a time, until a winner is decided. A player may not shoot again until all other skaters on his team have taken a shot. Once one team has gone through its complete lineup, the other team may also start at the top of its players list. A penalized player, at the completion of regulation time, is ineligible to participate in the shootout.
1.3 Number of Players
A team must have 5 skaters and a goaltender to play a game. There will be a 10 minute grace period after the ice is ready while waiting for sufficient players to start a game. Referees or scorekeepers are not expected to continue after that point and the game will be called. The team with the insufficient number of players will forfeit the game. If at any time during the game a team cannot provide the proper number of players on ice, the game is immediately forfeited and a loss will be given to the offending team regardless of score.
1.4 Uniforms
All teams must have 2 sets of numbered uniforms.
1.5 Slapshots
Are allowed.
1.6 Centre Red Line
Two line passes across the centre red line shall be allowed, however icing will be called.
1.7 Line changes
Only permitted on-the fly. Exceptions are during stop time where the 5-second puck drop rule will be in effect or after a penalty or a goal. With the exception of a pulled goalie, a goalie can go back in for the player he substituted for.
1.7.1 Teams violating this rule will be assessed a Delay of Game penalty.
1.8 Game Forfeit
If a team cannot play a scheduled game on a certain date they must give a minimum 24hrs notice by contacting the league (Billy Eaves, hockeyops@sarhl.ca) The team that was able to play will have access to the ice and will receive the win.
- 1.8.1 There will be NO makeup game for a forfeit.
1.9 Playoff Eligibility/ Tie Breakers
A player must play 6 games during the regular season to be eligible for the playoffs.
1.9.1 Teams using ineligible players will forfeit their playoff game in which the ineligible player played.
1.9.2 Teams that have a player with an injury or an obligation away from Lethbridge that doesn’t allow them to meet the 6 games can apply to the league for an exemption. This is for players who have been in the league for 3 consecutive seasons.
1.9.3 Regular season standing tiebreakers are as follows; Team with the most wins seeds higher, if still tied Head to head season winner seeds higher, if still tied largest differential Goals for and Goals Against seeds higher, if still tied lowest PIMs will seed higher.
1.10 Insurance
All players must have registration fees paid up and have signed the online waiver to receive insurance coverage.
1.10.1 ALL players MUST wear full CSA approved equipment that is not worn out or in need of repair. Anyone found to be using such equipment that is worn out or in need of repair will be in violation of the rules and therefore void of any insurance coverage. This includes the use of a CSA approved visor.
2.0 Penalties
2.1 5 Minute Penalties
Slashing, High Sticking, Cross Checking, Elbowing, Roughing, Body Contact and Boarding (Checking into the Boards) are all 5 minute penalties during running time. If a penalty is assessed during stop time when the game is within 2 goals, the penalty time is 3 minutes. Please note that a penalty assessed before stop time commences still remains a 5 minute penalty.
2.2 3 Minute Penalties
Holding, Hooking, Tripping, Interference, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Too Many Men, Delay of Game, or others are all 3 minute penalties during running time. If a penalty is assessed during stop time when the game is within 2 goals, the penalty time is 2 minutes. Please note that a penalty assessed before stop time commences still remains a 3 minute penalty.
2.3 5 Minute + Game misconduct
Checking to the head and Checking From Behind
2.4 3 Penalties in a Game
A player is immediately ejected from the game upon receiving his 3rd minor penalty in that game. This player will also receive a Game Misconduct.
2.5 Coincidental Penalties
If opposing players receive coincidental penalties the teams shall not be short handed.
2.5.1 Substitutions are allowed for the penalized players. (Note – If one penalty is 5 minutes and the other is 3 minutes there are not considered coincidental.)
2.6 Fighting is no longer permitted in the league.
- 2.6.1 – 1st Fight – A player is immediately ejected from the game, receives a game misconduct, and shall be indefinitely suspended pending a review with the officials. A suspension can then be handed down from one game to the remainder of the season. (If an Instigator Penalty is assessed the Instigator will be the only player to be assessed the suspension)
- 2.6.2 – 2nd Fight during a Season – A player is immediately ejected from the game, receives a game misconduct and shall be suspended indefinitely and said player will have to go through a re-application to join the league.
2.7 Fight Instigator
Above rules apply and the Instigator receives an additional game misconduct
2.8 Game Misconduct
A player is immediately ejected from the game upon receiving a game misconduct. A player is assessed a game misconduct after they are ejected from a game for any reason (fight, 3 penalties, gross, match etc.)
- 2.8.1 – 3 Game Misconducts during a Season – 2 game suspension
- 2.8.2 – 4 or more Game Misconducts during a Season – The player is suspended indefinitely upon further review and will have a hearing with the Disciplinary Committee, League President, or a person designated by the league to review major penalties for possible further disciplinary action. At this time a major or indefinite suspension may be handed out.
2.9 Abuse of an Official (Zero Tolerance)
A player is immediately ejected from the game, suspended indefinitely pending further review by the Disciplinary Committee resulting in anywhere form one game to a lifetime ban depending on severity. The offending player is also assessed a game misconduct.
2.10 Match Penalty and Gross Misconduct
A player is immediately ejected from the game, suspended indefinitely pending further review by the Disciplinary Committee. This will now include any play deemed to be intent to injure, or verbal attacks that go beyond what the official deems appropriate,
2.11 Suspensions
A player who is suspended must start serving the suspension immediately. Any player caught playing while suspended will have 1 game added to their suspension, start suspension again plus the Team Rep for that players team will be suspended for the same amount of games as the original player’s suspension. Player suspensions will be tracked by the league and suspension history can influence future disciplinary action should a player be up for suspension again. Fees will not be reimbursed in the event of an indefinite suspension.
2.12 Intoxication and Alcohol
Zero Tolerance. The player or players will be ejected from the game and receive a game misconduct.
All of the rinks in our city and Coaldale have no alcohol rules in place. Teams are expected to abide by these rules. If there is an issue with a group that threatens the leagues ice access they may be removed from the league.
2.13 Disciplinary Hearing
Decisions made at a disciplinary hearing are final. There will be no appealing of the suspension. These suspensions could be from 1 game to season or possible lifetime ban.
2.13.1 **The Discipline Committee will consist of 3 League Representatives and an independent evaluator.
2.13.2 ***Incidents in final game of season and/or playoffs will not be subject to standard guidelines and suspensions will carry over to the following season.
