From: Grand Forks Herald by Brad Schlosserman
(left) Coach Gwozdecky is one of at least three WCHA coaches that want tighter rules enforcement
The NCAA Rules Committee hopes it has found a way to raise scoring opportunities and excitement in college hockey.
Last week in Indianapolis, the committee proposed new rules and directives for the 2008-09 season that could help curb a trend that has seen scoring drop to record lows year after year.
The puck carrier will be afforded more offensive opportunities; teams no longer will be able to change lines after icing the puck; obstruction during face-offs will be taken away; and shootouts are a distinct possibility in the future if the committee’s recommendations are approved by an oversight panel next month.
A two-referee, two-linesman system also will be used to aid the implementation of the new rules.
It’s almost precisely what the Western Collegiate Hockey Association ordered.
During April’s league meetings, coaches expressed their hopes that the NCAA would use the two-and-two refereeing system and crack down on obstruction in hopes that it leads to faster-paced, more exciting games.
The league has set scoring futility records in four consecutive seasons.
The changes are designed “to allow student-athletes to use their speed and skill to create scoring opportunities,” the NCAA’s release stated. “The committee believes officials have properly handled obstruction away from the puck, but believes the puck carrier must be afforded more opportunities to make offensive plays.”
UND’s Dave Hakstol, Denver’s George Gwozdecky and Minnesota’s Don Lucia are among league coaches who have expressed interest in tighter calls when it comes to stick-work.
The league experimented with the two-and-two referee system last season and league coaches were overwhelmingly in favor of moving to that system on a permanent basis. The NCAA agreed.
“In today’s game, two referees and two linesmen are necessary to properly enforce our rules,” said John Harrington, the secretary and editor of the committee.
NHL-like changes
The NHL made radical rules changes beginning in the 2005-06 season designed to showcase the skilled players. Those changes received rave reviews.
Some of college hockey’s proposed changes mirror the NHL.
The NHL doesn’t allow a team that ices the puck to change lines. That will be a new wrinkle for college hockey next season if approved.
The NHL only allows face-offs on the nine circles on the ice. The committee proposed the same for college hockey.
And perhaps the most radical change for the NHL in 2005 was the addition of the shootout. The committee voted to maintain the traditional college game structure (60 minutes, followed by a five-minute 5-on-5 overtime). But it will allow conferences to use shootouts at their own discretion.
So a shootout could be used to determine points in conference. But when it comes to picking the national tournament, those games still will be looked upon as ties.
WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod said that the WCHA won’t look at adding a shootout for the 2008-09 season, but it’s possible that the Central Collegiate Hockey Association will do it.
Last week in Indianapolis, the committee proposed new rules and directives for the 2008-09 season that could help curb a trend that has seen scoring drop to record lows year after year.
The puck carrier will be afforded more offensive opportunities; teams no longer will be able to change lines after icing the puck; obstruction during face-offs will be taken away; and shootouts are a distinct possibility in the future if the committee’s recommendations are approved by an oversight panel next month.
A two-referee, two-linesman system also will be used to aid the implementation of the new rules.
It’s almost precisely what the Western Collegiate Hockey Association ordered.
During April’s league meetings, coaches expressed their hopes that the NCAA would use the two-and-two refereeing system and crack down on obstruction in hopes that it leads to faster-paced, more exciting games.
The league has set scoring futility records in four consecutive seasons.
The changes are designed “to allow student-athletes to use their speed and skill to create scoring opportunities,” the NCAA’s release stated. “The committee believes officials have properly handled obstruction away from the puck, but believes the puck carrier must be afforded more opportunities to make offensive plays.”
UND’s Dave Hakstol, Denver’s George Gwozdecky and Minnesota’s Don Lucia are among league coaches who have expressed interest in tighter calls when it comes to stick-work.
The league experimented with the two-and-two referee system last season and league coaches were overwhelmingly in favor of moving to that system on a permanent basis. The NCAA agreed.
“In today’s game, two referees and two linesmen are necessary to properly enforce our rules,” said John Harrington, the secretary and editor of the committee.
NHL-like changes
The NHL made radical rules changes beginning in the 2005-06 season designed to showcase the skilled players. Those changes received rave reviews.
Some of college hockey’s proposed changes mirror the NHL.
The NHL doesn’t allow a team that ices the puck to change lines. That will be a new wrinkle for college hockey next season if approved.
The NHL only allows face-offs on the nine circles on the ice. The committee proposed the same for college hockey.
And perhaps the most radical change for the NHL in 2005 was the addition of the shootout. The committee voted to maintain the traditional college game structure (60 minutes, followed by a five-minute 5-on-5 overtime). But it will allow conferences to use shootouts at their own discretion.
So a shootout could be used to determine points in conference. But when it comes to picking the national tournament, those games still will be looked upon as ties.
WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod said that the WCHA won’t look at adding a shootout for the 2008-09 season, but it’s possible that the Central Collegiate Hockey Association will do it.
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