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Vermont Women's Hockey Organization (VWHO)
Official Game Policy:
All players of VWHO are required to read through this policy and sign the acknowledgement on the last page prior to skating. Team reps are responsible for players to understand game formats, rules, conduct and safety so that we can all play the game we love.
Team Payments: It is important for all teams to make payment promptly to pay for ice times and officials. All teams will be notified of the total cost due which can be broken into two payments. First Half Dues must be paid within one week of the start of the season. All payments should be made to Alison Bell
Second Half Dues must be paid within one week of the start of the second half of the season. All payments should be made to Alison Bell.
1. Warm up: Teams will have a 3-minute warm up that begins when the official ice time begins, or when the Zamboni doors are closed, whichever is later.
2.Officials: VWHO hires 2 officials who are paid through VWHO dues.
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3.Games Will Consist of Three Periods:
If there is a timekeeper, the first 2 periods will be 15-minute stop time. The third period will be run time, and its length will equal the amount of time remaining in the 75-minute ice session minus 2 minutes. The last 2 minutes of the third period will be stop time. If there is no timekeeper, all periods will be 22-minute run time. If a referee is willing to work the clock at the end of the game, the final 2 minutes can be stop time. All games must fit within the allotted ice time and no overtime play for tie games.
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4.Between Periods: There will be a 1-minute break between each period.
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5.Time outs: Each team is permitted one 60-second time-out per game.
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6. Penalties: Minor penalty shall be 2-minutes (run time) or 1:30 (stop time Major penalty = 5-minutes. Two major penalties in the same game by the same player will result in suspension from VWHO for 1-
7. Checking: Checking is not allowed. Body Checking: USA Hockey Rule 604 a. Minor penalty assessed for body checking. b. A major plus game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who recklessly endangers an opponent with a body check.
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C.A match penalty for reckless endangerment may also be assessed for head contact.
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Attempt to Injure: USA Hockey Rule 602 A match penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who recklessly endangers or attempts to injure any opposing player or team official.
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8.Misconduct Penalty: Involves the removal of a player from the game for a period of 10- minutes.
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9.Game Misconduct Penalty: Involves the suspension of the player for the balance of the game, incurs a 10-minute penalty and serves a 1-game suspension.
10. Match Penalty: Involves the immediate removal of a player for the balance of the game and a 5-minute penalty VWHO will impose an additional minimum 5 game suspension for a reckless endangerment match penalty The player will have a 30-Day suspension from play pending review.* VWHO reserves the right to levy suspensions up to and including league expulsion.
11. Fighting: Zero-tolerance for fighting. Any player who engages in on-ice fighting will receive a major plus 10-minute game misconduct penalty and a 5-game suspension.
12. Conduct with Officials: All players will respect the calls on the ice. Verbal abuse to officials can result in a 1- game suspension.
13. Suspension/Misconducts: In any case where a game misconduct or match penalty is assessed and contested by a team, the incident shall be reviewed by an impartial and knowledgeable party who have the power to impose additional penalties and/or suspensions.
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Impartial Review: Requests must be presented to ALL team reps within 48 hours after the incident. Reps will contact an impartial and knowledgeable party to review the circumstances, including any video that may be available.
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14. Rules of play not covered in the above will follow USA Hockey rules for adults.
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Weather Related: Cairns Arena rarely cancels ice time and only in cases of severe weather. Teams should prepare to play or decide to consolidate teams to play in unofficial games or pick up style if teams do not have enough players. Missed ice times will not be rescheduled. Team Related: If a team is unable to play and needs to cancel a game, contact VWHO scheduler giving a minimum of at least 30-day's notice to cancel without penalty. If notice to cancel is inside the 30-day window, all efforts will be made to make other arrangements to fill the ice time with other team games. If filling the ice time is not possible, the cancelling team will need to refund the ice and referee fees to the team they were scheduled to play.