JMS Hockey

So a thing refs like to do to keep the game moving and motivate teams to change faster the refs will count down from 5 then drop it. Sounds like it makes sense until somebody who hasn't got to their teams side on the face off circle gets the puck skated to the opposing teams net with a 2 on 1 passed it to me and I scored which actually happened in our league game. Now the team who was scored on is pissed off because this tactic didn't work in their favor so the ref agreed and takes the goal away. What do you guys think about refs counting down and dropping the puck to encourage players to switch faster and do you think it was a legal goal?

Be consistent with it all through the game, and don't disallow a goal. I have been in games where teams have been warned, but it wasn't consistently enforced.

What happened was that when you have tired players on the other half skate off is that they're tired and have to skate farther than the other team would so the other side is always going to look bad.

Aren't refs required to drop the puck within 5 seconds of the whistle being blown at a face-off circle? I am 100% for refs dropping the puck and keeping the game moving, but you gotta give the teams a chance to make a change. If they're taking forever obviously isn't good, a warning should suffice first.

Yeah but if somebody is not to the face off circle it can lead to a unfair advantage which in my game lead to a goal. The referee who initiated the count took the goal off because thought it was unfair but when the puck is dropped it's all fair game.

Josh is right this is the standard rules: http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26487 "76.3 Procedure – As soon as the line change procedure has been completed by the Referee and he lowers his hand to indicate no further changes, the Linesman conducting the face-off shall blow his whistle. This will signal to both teams that they have no more than five (5) seconds to line up for the ensuing face-off. At the end of the five (5) seconds (or sooner if both centers are ready), the Linesman will conduct a proper face-off. If, however: (i) One or both centers are not positioned for the face-off, (ii) One or both centers refrain from placing their stick on the ice, (iii) Any player has encroached into the face-off circle, (iv) Any player makes physical contact with an opponent, or (v) Any player who lines up for the face-off in an off-side position, the Linesman shall have the offending center(s) replaced immediately prior to dropping the puck."

I think the situation being discussed violates item "v". If all your players are not onsides, then the rep shouldn't be dropping the puck. I realize this isn't the NHL. However if one team is always dragging down the pace of play, start with a warning and next time just give a delay of game penalty. I don't think the puck should EVER be dropped with players off sides as described in this discussion. It would suck to win the face off back to what you expect will be one of your own players, only to have an opposing player grab the puck because they were slow on a line change and were off sides at the time the puck was dropped.

That's what I think too. If the puck will be dropped no matter what, why hurry to the circle?

Context should matter here. If the team taking a D zone draw has all 5 and the attacking team is taking too long, then sure drop it and send the message that they need to get on the ice faster. If the DZ team taking the draw takes too long then no you shouldn't reward them with a breakaway. Just give them a delay of game.

It should be one warning and then a delay of game called. The puck should never be dropped with players on the other side of the puck.

If you are too tired to get off or on the ice... Maybe that 3 minute shift is too long. ;-)

Yay Rob, that's exactly what I was thinking as I read this . . .

Also, most (if not all) amateur leagues are governed by the USA Hockey rules, not NHL rules. Players should be directed to rule 613 for face off procedures. http://www.usahockeyrulebook.com/page/show/1084660-rule-613-face-off-procedures Just sayin' . . .