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Qatar International Ice Hockey League

Official Rules

• Each game has an allotted ice slot of 60 minutes.
• Two (2) x 23 minute periods of running time
• Other time used for cleaning of ice, warm-ups, timeouts, etc.
• Games tied at the end of regulation will remain a tie and one (1) point awarded to each team
• Winner of game will be awarded two (2) points
• Two (2) x 30 second timeouts per team. Only one (1) may be used per period

 
b) Playoffs

• Each game has an allotted ice slot of 60 minutes.
• Two (2) x 23 minute periods of running time. (Last 2 minutes of final period – stop time)
• Other time used for cleaning of ice, warm-ups, timeouts, etc.
• Games tied at the end of regulation will result in a sudden death shoot-out
• Captains from respective teams will submit a list of 3 players to shoot one for one until the game is decided
• Two (2) x 30 second timeouts per team. Only one (1) may be used per period

c) Breaking a tie at the end of the season
 
If teams are tied at the end of the regular season, the following will determine the seeding order:

• Team with the most wins
• Head to head competition
• Total goals for

d) Mercy Rule
 
If at any time during the final period should the deficit become 10 goals, the game will be called and is officially over.

 

4.2 Fast Face-off Rule
 
The QIIHL will implement a “fast face-off” rule whereby referees will strive to cut down on the time between whistles. After a stoppage of play, the referee will go to the face-off dot and blow his whistle. The referee will then wait no more than 10 seconds until he drops the puck. The puck will be dropped regardless if there are 2 players ready for the face-off.

4.3 Off Side
 
The QIIHL will not enforce the two-line pass. The two line pass will be deemed legal. The QIIHL will enforce the traditional off side rule.
 
If an opposing player is considered off side in the offensive zone when the defending team has control of the puck, all opposing players must leave the zone before attacking again. Once all players have left the zone, the delayed off side is waived off.

4.4 Slap Shots
 
Slap shots are not permitted in QIIHL league games. Any shot that results from the blade of the stick being raised above the waist on either the back-swing or follow-through will be deemed a slap shot and the play will be blown dead (This is obviously a judgment call on behalf of the referee). The offending player will be issued a warning by the referee and should the player offend again during the game, the referee shall call a minor penalty against the player.

4.5 Skill Level/Balancing of Teams
 
At the beginning of each QIIHL season, in an attempt to achieve parity within the league, the league will execute a player draft whereby players will be assigned to teams. At any time, the league reserves the right to adjust the rosters accordingly to best meet this objective.

All infractions occurring before, during and after any scheduled games are subject to review by league officials.  League officials may assess suspensions at any time during the regular season and playoffs.  Refer to Penalties Section 6.0 for penalty descriptions.

Any player found playing in a QIIHL league game while under a QIIHL suspension, will receive double the suspension and be fined 500QR.
 
The team playing with a suspended player will automatically forfeit the game.

• Minor penalties: 3:00 minutes running time
• Major penalties: 5:00 minutes running time

6.2 Major Penalty Served
 
When a Major penalty is assessed to a player and the player is ejected from the game, the penalized team must have another player serve the penalty.
 
6.3 High Sticking
 
Any time a player’s stick intentionally comes in contact with an opposing player at shoulder height or higher, the offending player shall receive a double minor penalty ( 4 minutes). If a player’s stick contacts an opposing player’s head, helmet, or face, the referee may assess at their discretion, either a double minor or a major penalty and a game misconduct depending on the severity of the infraction. If blood is present, any penalties assessed will be at the discretion of the referee. Major high sticking infractions may be assessed and further disciplinary action may result upon league review.
 
6.4 Body Checking/Boarding
 
The QIIHL is a non-contact league. Any collisions or contact will be strictly a referee judgment call based on the following definition of contact: “No player is entitled to use his body to intentionally body check, bump or hold an opponent”. A minor penalty or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee, will be assessed based upon the degree of impact with the opposing player. Major body contact, such as open ice hits, or boarding may be assessed and further disciplinary action may result upon league review.
 
6.5 Slough-Footing/Checking from behind
 
A player will be penalized for slough-footing or checking from behind any opponent during a game. A major (7 min) or match penalty, at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any player who slough-foots or checks from behind an opponent. Any player that persists in committing such infractions will be further suspended from QIIHL play. All slough-footing and checking from behind penalties will be reviewed by the league and further disciplinary action may result.
 
6.6 Butt-ending
 
A double minor penalty (6 minutes) or Match penalty will be assessed to any player who butt-ends or attempts to butt-end an opponent. Intent will be the determining factor for which a penalty call is made and will be made at the discretion of the referee.
 
 
6.7 Spearing
 
A double minor penalty (6 minutes) shall be assessed to any player who pokes or jabs or attempts to jab an opposing player with the toe of the blade of the stick. A Match penalty shall be assessed to any player who deliberately spears or attempts to spear by jabbing forcefully with the toe of the blade of the stick or who injures an opponent by any spearing action.
 
6.8 Delay of Game
 
A team can be assessed a delay of game penalty if the referee feels that the team and/or player is deliberately stalling to run the clock out.
 
6.9 Knocking net off during play
 
Any player or goaltender who deliberately knocks the net out of position will receive a minor penalty for delay of game, under the discretion of the referee. If the puck is moving towards an open goal and the net is knocked out of position by a defending player or goaltender, the referee can award a penalty shot. The penalty shot must be taken by a player who was on the ice when the infraction occurred. No other penalty will be assessed.
 
6.10 Roughing
 
A minor penalty or major penalty shall be assessed to any player who, in the referee’s judgment, is guilty of unnecessary rough play. In the case of a major penalty, the player is immediately ejected from the balance of that game but will not any further suspension.
 
6.11 Game Ejection
 
Any player who receives 3 minor penalties in one game will receive an automatic game ejection. A double minor will count as 2 penalties. A
 
Any player who receives a game ejection is automatically ejected from the balance of that game and will not serve any further suspension.
 
6.12 Fighting
 
Fighting is not permitted in the QIIHL. Any player who receives a penalty for fighting will receive a major penalty, a game misconduct and a 3 game suspension. If a player receives a fighting major for the second time, that player will have his eligibility for play reviewed and may face an indefinite suspension.
 
6.13 Fighting off the playing surface
 
Any player, who is identified as fighting off the ice (dressing room, hallway, parking lot) before, during or after the game, will receive an automatic 3 game suspension. The incident will be reviewed by the league officials with possible further disciplinary action taken.
 
6.14 Misconducts
 
Any player, except the goaltender, incurring a “Misconduct Penalty”, shall be ruled of the ice for a period of 10 minutes. A substitute for the penalized player shall be permitted immediately and the offending player’s team be not be short-handed.
 
6.15 Game Misconducts
 
Any player that receives a game misconduct penalty will be ejected for the balance of that game and is subject to possible further suspension pending review by league officials. Multiple offences may result in further suspension.
 
6.16 Gross Misconducts
 
A gross misconduct penalty will be assessed to any player who makes obscene gestures, excessively abuses other players, officials, or spectators OR attempts to make a travesty of the game. The player will be immediately ejected from the game an will receive an automatic 2 game suspension. Further suspension could result after review by league officials. A player’s second gross misconduct will result in a 5 games suspension. A player’s 3rd offense will result in player eligibility review by league officials.
 
6.17 Match Penalty – Involving a League Official/Abuse of Official
 
This penalty will be assessed when a player verbally or physically threatens or abuses any league officials (referees, scorekeepers, coordinators, etc.). A minimum 3 game suspension will be issued pending league review. A formal appeal may be submitted to the league.
 
6.18 Match Penalty – Involving Other Players/ Intent to Injure
 
This penalty will be assessed when any player physically abuse another player with INTENT TO INJURE. This player will receive a 3 game suspension and possible further suspension upon league review. A player’s second offense will result in a player eligibility review by league officials.
 
6.19 Removing Equipment
 
Any player who drops their gloves, removes helmet or removes any other piece of equipment with the intention of fighting, will be ejected from the game.
 
6.20 Racial Slurs
 
If any player on a team utters a racial slur in a QIIHL game, the player will automatically receive a gross misconduct penalty and be subject to the rules of the league. There will be no tolerance for this type of behaviour and the league will be very harsh in its assessing of suspensions for this type of conduct.