PULL QUOTES

“… Now we’re seeing some nice hockey (at the NHL level). You see some great skating and some great hits. It just requires more work.” – Scarborough coach Jay Mazur

“It’s hard to digest at first. The biggest key will be making sure the referees are consistent with each other.” – St. Dom’s coach John Pleau

“It’s always been the coaches against the referees and I think this might help build a bridge.” – Lewiston coach Norm Gagne

So what can you do? (source: www.usahockey.com)

Free hand used by offensive player

A player who is in possession and control of the puck and has established body position may use their free hand to maintain that body position. In this situation, both players are skating shoulder-to shoulder, or the defensive player is slightly behind, and the attacking player uses the free arm to fend off the defensive player and simply maintain their already established body position, as long as they do not grab the stick, sweater or arm of the opponent.

Lifting an opponent’s stick and stick presses

The use of the stick to lift an opponent’s stick and gain possession of the puck, or prevent them from gaining possession of the puck, is considered a good defensive play. Lifting a non-puck carrier’s stick in a manner that does not impede their progress is also allowable. In addition, the use of the stick to check an opponent’s stick, or press the opponent’s stick to the ice or boards, is a good defensive play as long as it is done on the lower portion of the stick shaft and the intended purpose is to dislodge the puck or prevent the opponent from playing the puck.