NOJHL exhibitions begin

By Randy Russon
November 6, 2020
Tweet

Share

Under strict, modified guidelines relative to COVID-19, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League will return to play tonight. A pair of exhibition games will make up tonight’s slate, Hockey News North has confirmed via the NOJHL.

At 7 p.m. at John Rhodes Community Center, the Soo Thunderbirds will play host to the Blind River Beavers.

And at 7:30 p.m. at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex, the Espanola Express will be on home ice against the French River Rapids.

As was first reported by Hockey News North on Thursday, the NOJHL’s return to play guidelines are as follows.

• All NOJHL team officials, volunteers and support staff agree they will comply with all laws of Ontario, the municipality and regional public health authority where the program is operating.

• All Hockey Canada safety protocols, the Ontario Hockey Federation return to hockey framework to which the NOJHL has adopted and adheres to and NOJHL return to play policies and procedures are in effect.

1. Absolutely no deliberate body checking or body contact permitted. Any deliberate body check or body contact will result in a major penalty and game misconduct at the discretion of the referee.
2. When a scrum or gathering (two or more participants) occurs with prolonged contact officials will not separate the players, they will communicate with them to disengage. Should the scrum continue, play will be stopped.
3. All major penalties, gross misconduct penalties and match penalties will be applied in accordance with current Hockey Canada playing rules.
4. If intentional physical contact occurs, the game official will provide one warning to both teams on account of the first minor penalty involving intentional physical contact — and any subsequent minor penalty from this list will result in immediate removal from competition. An individual player does not require an individual warning prior to removal, the warning will be directed at the head coach. It is the responsibility of the head coach to manage their team and relay the warning. Minor penalties have been modified to align with the elimination of intentional physical contact.
5. Any player involved with post-whistle scrums or altercations will result in an automatic 10-minute misconduct for the first offence. Second accumulated infraction will result in a two game suspension, third accumulated infraction in the season will result in a five game suspension and fourth accumulation will result in an indefinite suspension pending a hearing with the league. As with all accumulating infractions, the NOJHL will monitor these offences.
6. Face offs: Players must remain on their side of the hash marks at all times, jostling for position is not permitted. The player who initiates the breach of the hash mark will result in that team’s centre being removed from the face off. A second infraction on the same face off will result in a delay of game penalty. Centres must abide by rules for scrums, positioning for ice and puck battles and obey the direction of the on-ice official with all face offs. Intentional contact rules will apply to any intentional contact during the course of a face off.
7. Any spitting by any participant, players and coaches, is strictly prohibited and will result in an automatic match penalty. Many rinks also have signs that discourage spitting, and this will continue to be a significant point of emphasis.
8. If an attacking skater intentionally skates through or establishes position in the goal crease, play will be stopped, and the ensuing face off will take place at the nearest face off spot in the neutral zone.
9. Players must leave pucks to the officials to retrieve at a stoppage of play.
10. No goal celebrations, elbow bumps or stick taps are permitted.
11. There will continue to be three 20 minute stop time periods.
12. All players must wear a “bubble” face mask and facial covering, the Bauer face shield or a mask such as the Under Armour/CCM athletic masks.
13. All infractions to on-ice playing rules within the OHF five on five modified games that require a penalty shot with be remain as a timed penalty being served and the player is removed from the ice. Current playing rules that are violated that involve any contact with result in the application of deliberate contact and the player will receive a major penalty and a game ejection.