NCAA Rule Changes for 2008-09
Posted by: Tim RToday was a day for one of what might be many changes made to improve the game of college hockey for the 2008-09 season.
The first rule, mandated today, was the two referee, two linesmen system. This here will immediately change the game for a few reasons. Number one, it will allow the two referees to call penalties instead of one. With the one ref system while the two linesmen job(s) will remain the same.
Also a few other rules were proposed. You can read the staff report here on CHN for the exact details, but, here are some thoughts on a few proposed rules.
The “Kicking” Rule: As seen in this year’s national championship game between Notre Dame and Boston College, a call that could have gone either way in the third period hurt Notre Dame’s chances when Irish defenseman Kyle Lawson had the puck deflect off his skate and went in. Now, if passed by the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee, any deflection off a skate, as long as the player is not showing a kicking motion towards the goal, will count as a goal. This would be a good rule if it is passed, speeding the game up a little bit.
The Icing Rule: Like the NHL, the new Icing rule will state that the team that ices the puck will not be able to change lines. Maybe it will be a little too much like the “new” NHL, but it is a better rule than what I am going to discuss next.
The Shootout Rule: Many coaches are discussing how to eliminate ties in college hockey. However, ties have been part of the college game for a long time. Instead of this, maybe another rule that could be considered could be how the “old” NHL used to decide games. If a team goes into overtime, whether they lost or tied, a point was given to both teams. The shootout rule in the NHL does give points to both teams, however, for now, if teams want to decrease ties, maybe they should start with just a 5:00 overtime and guaranteeing a point to both teams for going into overtime.
Faceoff Locations: Finally, all the faceoffs will be done in the nine faceoff circles only. Don’t know how that will impact the game, but we will see if this rule gets passed.
We will wait and see if the four other rule changes go through, but I am already excited about the two ref, two linesmen system in 2008-09. Expect other major changes in the world of college hockey in the coming months.
June 7th, 2008 at 2:26 am
In my mind the potential of bringing the shootout to College Hockey is the single most disturbing issue of any discussion about changes to the the game. I know I’m prepared to bring every ounce of eloquence that I can possibly muster to try to convince anyone in a decision making capacity to recognize the significance of ties. I am here today to just beg the editorial staff of this website to do as they have done in the past and continue to denounce it as folly. I have a sense that opposition to shootouts is perhaps ultimately unrealistic. But fighting the good fight needs to happen; we who believe that ties are valid results must stand up to the pandering crowd who want to mollify the rubes.
July 12th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Pretty full of yourself DD. I envied your “eloquence” in your “How to beat a Sioux? Rape and murder them” blog. Oh yeah, when I think eloquence, I definitely think of uaafanblog. Nothing like a picture of a big ol’ turd in the toilet.