Section 5: Rules of Play
Game Structure
- Three 20-minute periods, separated by two 15-minute intermissions
- Tied game in regular season: 5-minute 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime, then 5-round shootout if still tied (per NCAA / conference adoption)
- NCAA Tournament: 20-minute 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime periods until a goal is scored; no shootout in postseason
Faceoffs
Game starts and resumes after stoppages with a faceoff at the appropriate dot. Centers position sticks flat on the ice; the linesperson drops the puck.
Movement
- Forward passing: legal in all three zones (no two-line-pass restriction since 2005)
- Offside: an attacking player may not enter the offensive zone before the puck
- Icing: a non-power-play team that shoots the puck from its own side of the center red line across the opponent's goal line is whistled for icing (touch-up icing in NCAA — opposing player must touch the puck to confirm, with hybrid icing safety modifications)
- Goaltender may handle the puck in the crease and within the trapezoid; outside the trapezoid behind the goal line is a delay-of-game penalty