GAME SET UP

GAME LENGTH	Ice slots will be 50 minutes for most sites. Referees and Timekeepers may adjust period times if required to ensure the game is completed on time, including moving shootouts to single shooter elimination shootouts.
GAME BREAKDOWN	Warm Up: 3 minutes (clock starts immediately) 1st Period: 12 minute RUN TIME period1,3 2nd Period: 12 minute RUN TIME period1,3 3rd Period: 15 minute RUN TIME period1,2 Period Breaks: 45 seconds Shootout: Starts immediately following 3rd period. 3 players per team. Both teams shoot simultaneously. If tied after 3 shooters, it becomes sudden death, shot for shot shootout. Time outs: Only permitted in playoffs. 1 x 30 seconds per team. 1Last 30 seconds of each period is stop time 2Last 3 minutes of the third period is stop time if the game is separated by 2 goals or less. 315 minute RUN TIME period for the following sites due to venue time requirements: Colorado State, Fredericton, Lethbridge, University of Maine
HOME & AWAY BENCHES	Use your assigned bench at all times as outlined in your team’s home or away designation.
RINGERS / EXTRA PLAYERS DURING REGULAR SEASON	LUG Permits the use of extra players during the regular season in order to maintain a competitive level of play. All extras should be of similar skill level to the league they are playing. Teams should follow the How to Call up a player process when doing so. EXCEPTIONS: Substitute goalies can be used in any game that requires one. Male goalies can also play in female games as substitutes when needed.
RINGERS / EXTRA PLAYERS DURING LEAGUE PLAYOFFS	Ringers / Substitute Players are NOT permitted. If a team is deemed to have players that are not on their official roster during playoffs, the game will be considered default for the accused team. Teams can request an ID check of a player to confirm that player is on their opponent’s registered LUG roster. If a request is made, it must be done either before the game, during the game, or within 10 minutes after the game has ended. After this time, it is no longer valid. For playoffs, a team must have a minimum of 5 players (plus goalie) to play. Punishment for using illegal players may include but is not limited to one or more of the following; suspension of the player(s), removal of any goals scored or assisted goals, forfeit of the game, suspension of the Captain of record, and turning over of the final game score. Ultimately, it is up to the league to make the final discretionary judgement call on how to rule it. EXCEPTIONS: Substitute goalies can be used in any game that requires one. Male goalies can also play in female games as substitutes when needed.
JERSEY NUMBERS / STATS	Teams are given LUG jerseys for the season. All players must update their player number on their HockeyShift profile in order to receive stats for their games. Click here for information on how to upd ate y our jersey numbe r. Every player must wear a readable number on their jersey at all times. Only one player per number per team. All player numbers must correspond with the scoresheet. Captains are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all game statistics are accurate, and must address LUG Management with any questions.
HELMET STICKERS	All registered players must have a LUG helmet sticker visible on their helmet during game play. Game officials have the right to request a player leave the field of play if they are not wearing a sticker.
EQUIPMENT	Players must wear skates, pants, jock strap, shin pads, hockey gloves, and helmet in order to participate in league games. Mouth guards and neck guards are strongly recommended.
HELMET VISOR/CAGE	All players must wear a helmet with a cage or visor. Half visors are permitted however full visors are strongly recommended. Goalies must wear a full goalie face mask. Helmet chinstraps must be properly done up at all times a player is on the ice. Any player who does not have a helmet with cage or visor is not permitted to take the ice. All helmets MUST be CSA approved including goalie masks.

PLAYING THE GAME

# OF PLAYERS	See the LUG Minimum Number of Players Required Policy.
TWO LINE PASSES AND OFFSIDES	Passing from behind the centre ice line is permitted, and will not result in a whistle blown. The tag up offside rule will be in effect.
NO TOUCH ICING	Icing will only be called if the puck is shot from behind the defensive team’s own blue line to behind the opposing team’s goal line. The referee will blow the whistle as soon as the puck crosses the goal line of the non-offending team.
SWITCHING SIDES	After each period, teams do not switch sides.
BODY CHECKING	Body checking is not permitted. Incidental body contact is unavoidable.
SHOOTOUT PROTOCOL	3 players per team. Both teams shoot simultaneously.* If tied after 3 shooters, it becomes a sudden death, shot for shot shootout. The home team will choose what team shoots first. Any player whose penalty was not fully served by the end of regulation time is NOT eligible to participate in the shootout. A different player takes each shot and all eligible players must take a shot before any player can take a second shot. * Referees & Time Keepers have discretion to move to a single shooter, elimination shootout based on the amount of time remaining in the ice time.
CONTACT WITH GOALIE MASK	A whistle will be blown after any instance in which a puck is shot off the face mask or helmet of a goaltender. For the purposes of this rule, the optional goalie neck protector is not included no matter how it is attached to the mask.
GAME FORFEITS & DEFAULTS	We take forfeits very seriously at LUG. Registration is a commitment and we expect teams to play all of their scheduled games and be respectful of their opponent's commitment and expectations. Failure to attend a scheduled game deprives other teams a portion of their season and is frustrating to everyone who traveled and took time from their personal schedules to be there. Refer to the Forfeits & Defaults policy for further information and applicable sanctions.

STANDINGS AND DIVISIONS

DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE	Teams/Free Agents will be placed into divisions initially based upon their submitted registration, skill level, and position. League administration reserves the right to move a team (or player) to a higher or lower division based on; Overall and/or individual Player skill level Win/loss record Age of players Any other statistical data This rule is applicable at any time during the season.
STANDINGS	Win = 2 points Tie/Shootout/OT Loss = 1 point Loss = 0 points
TIE BREAKERS	1. Points 2. Win % 3. Head to Head 4. Goal Differential 5. Wins 6. Regulation Wins 7. Greater Goals for 8. Fewer Goals Against 9. Fewest penalty minutes (avg per game) 10. Coin Flip In the event more than two teams are tied, the above process is followed until one or more teams are removed and the process begins again with the remaining teams. This is followed until only one team is remaining.
PAYMENT POLICY	LUG holds the right to take disciplinary action on teams that have not fulfilled the full balance of team fees 2 weeks after the first game is played. LUG Teams are expected to pay the full amount designated to each league regardless of rostered players.
SKILL LEVEL - PLAYERS	Players are rated based on their experience in hockey as per the online registration guidelines: ELITE DIVISION: NCAA \| U Sports \| Semi-Pro \| Jr. (A/B/C) A DIVISION: Jr (A/B/C) \| AAA B DIVISION: AA \| A \| Select C DIVISION: House League \| Pond Hockey Legends D DIVISION: Beginners W DIVISION: Women's only. Tiers are created during season. Women are eligible for play in ANY division. 26+ DIVISION: Our 26+ division is targeted to A/B level players, graduate programs students etcl Based on these categories, each team by division should contain a majority of players (60% or more) at these individual skill levels.

CODE OF CONDUCT

EXPECTATION AT ALL LUG EVENTS (GAME AND NON-GAME RELATED)

Outside of game play, all players are expected to live up to a standard Code of Conduct. The LUG Code of Conduct includes some basic rules for participating in the league and being present at games and LUG events. These common sense rules are extremely important and any violation or failure to follow these rules will result in player or team suspension and/or expulsion from LUG sports.

ARENA BEHAVIOUR

All players/coaches/fans/LUG affiliates are expected to respect LUG HOCKEY Arena Rules.

Shooting pucks, balls or other objects in the arena common areas is prohibited.
Use of profanity, slander, racial comments or any kind of inappropriate language is not permitted.
Groups/Individuals are responsible for any damage caused to the facility.
Garbage must be placed in bins provided. This includes arena locker rooms.
Spitting/Chewing tobacco products is strictly prohibited in all areas of the arena.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be refused entry and or removed from the premises.
Possession and/or consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited and includes the locker rooms, arena benches, stands, and parking lots.
Smoking/Vaping of any kind is prohibited in the arena or in the locker rooms.

PENALTIES

PENALTY TIMES / PRINCIPLES	Minor = 3 minutes running time Double Minor = 6 minutes running time Major = 8 minutes running time Match = Automatic 1 game suspension + review for further discipline. In game Major penalties are to be served by any member of team. If a penalty ends during a stoppage in play in running time, a penalized player must remain in the penalty box until puck is dropped to resume play. Face-offs following any penalty will take place in the offending team’s defensive zone (NHL rules). Three minor Penalties will result in an ejection from the game. Players who serve any penalty as a server for any other player shall not be charged for that penalty. A delayed penalty which is cancelled by a goal scored, must be reported to the scorekeeper and recorded and does count toward a players gross penalty total.
PLAYING RULES	All LUG hockey games will follow the Hockey Canada or Hockey USA case books (dependent on game location) of the site unless identified in the Automatic Double Minor section.
MISCONDUCTS	Any Player, except a Goaltender, incurring a Misconduct penalty, shall be ruled off the ice for a period of ten (10) minutes playing time. A substitute for the penalized Player shall be permitted immediately. A Player serving a Misconduct penalty shall remain on the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their penalty. Any Player who is assessed a second Misconduct penalty in the same game shall automatically be assessed a Game Misconduct penalty. An automatic (minimum) one (1) game suspension will be assessed. All Misconduct penalties are subject to review by the LUG Management. No Player shall be required to serve a Misconduct penalty for another Player.
GAME MISCONDUCTS	Any Player or Team Official incurring a Game Misconduct penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game and shall be reported to LUG Management for further action. If this penalty is assessed in the last five (5) minutes of regulation time, an automatic (minimum) one (1) game suspension will be assessed. All Game Misconduct penalties are subject to review (and possibly further suspension) by LUG.
GROSS MISCONDUCT	Any Player or Team Official incurring a Gross Misconduct penalty shall be ordered to the dressing room for the remainder of the game and shall be reported to LUG Management for further action. This penalty will be assessed to any Player or Coach who conducts themselves in such a manner as to make a travesty of the game.
GROSS MISCONDUCT - DISCRIMINATORY BEHAVIOUR	Any Player or Team Official who engages in verbal or non-verbal taunts, insults or intimidation based on discriminatory grounds (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language) shall be assessed a Gross Misconduct and be suspended according to Discipline and Complaints Policy (add link). There will be no tolerance for this type of behaviour and LUG Management will be very harsh with their assessment of suspensions. Should the Player who committed the offense is not discovered, the team representative will be automatically and indefinitely suspended pending a review by LUG.
MATCH PENALTIES	This penalty will be assessed when any Player physically abuses another Player with intent to injure (whether or not an injury occurs). A Match penalty will result in an automatic indefinite suspension from the League. There is no minimum suspension. An attempt to injure is an automatic Match penalty, regardless of whether it causes injury or not will be reviewed by LUG Management. The results of the injury will be considered by the League Manager when determining the length of the suspension and whether additional penalties are to be handed out.

SUSPENSIONS

DISCIPLINARY ACTION	LUG Sports reserves the right to impose disciplinary action against any player deemed to have broken the rules and regulations of the league including but not limited to suspension and expulsion with ZERO refund.
SUSPENDED PLAYERS / TEAMS	No one is allowed to play on any team in the league while on suspension from another team. Captains are ultimately responsible for notifying their players of any suspensions. Suspension from the regular season will carry over to the playoffs and future seasons. Suspended players are not permitted on the Player’s bench. Any player knowingly participating in a League game while under suspension will automatically have their teams’ points removed for that game and the suspension length will be doubled (at minimum). If the Team Rep knowingly permits a suspended or ineligible Player to participate in a League game, the Team Rep and the team will face disciplinary action.
SUSPENSIONS - GAME PLAY INFRACTIONS	Any penalty incurred that carries an automatic suspension cannot be appealed. LUG Management will work with the Game Officials to determine any suspensions administered from actions in game play.
SUSPENSIONS - NON-PLAYING INFRACTIONS	Any infractions to the LUG Code of Conduct that occur away from the field of play will receive an automatic suspension with potential further action taken by LUG Management: Alcohol: All alcohol is prohibited from being brought into facilities. This includes dressing rooms, the parking lot, benches, stands, and any other not mentioned facility premises. Any alcohol seen on benches will result in an additional suspension due to the complete disregard for the rules. Player with Alcohol = 1 game suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Team with Alcohol - 1 game team suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Benches - 2 game team suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Vaping & Smoking: Smoking or vaping is prohibited inside facilities. Player = 1 game suspension. 2nd infraction results in removal from league. Abusive Behaviour: LUG has a zero tolerance for any abuse or harassment towards or by any LUG participant, game official or spectator. All incidents should be reported to LUG Management by completing an Incident form. Submitted incidents will be assessed using the Discipline and Complaints Policy and a minimum of a two game suspension will be applied. Any player determined to have been involved in an act of racism or hate will be removed from the league. Facility Damage: Any team found to have damaged the facility in any way will receive an automatic 3 game suspension. If there is damage to the facility that you are made aware of, please take photos and complete a LUG Incident Form. Fan Behavior: All actions of the fans are attributed to the teams on the ice. Please ensure your guests behave and follow the above rules. Any incidents created by fans may result in a Fan Ban for your division. Teams found to have brought fans to the rink to party or drink will receive suspensions.
FIGHTING FULL TIME PLAYER	Fighting is NOT permitted in LUG Hockey and carries the following automatic suspensions. These suspensions are not eligible for appeal. FIRST INFRACTION Major Penalty & ejection from game. * Serious offences may result in subsequent suspensions or disciplinary actions. Any call up player that is assessed a fighting infraction will be ineligible for any further games in the season. SECOND INFRACTION** Those involved in multiple fighting majors in a single season may be suspended and/or removed from the league. Each case will be evaluated on a case by case basis by league management.
FIGHTING CALL UP PLAYER NOT REGISTERED IN LEAGUE	Any call up player that is not a full time registered player with LUG in the current season will automatically be ineligible for all future games for the remainder of the season.
BENCH BRAWLS	Any team involved in a bench brawl or line brawl will receive an automatic 1 game suspension. The situation will also be reviewed for further suspensions to individuals and the team above this. Both teams will receive a default for the game in which the brawl took place.
GAME MISCONDUCT RECEIVED IN FINAL 5 MINUTES OF PERIOD 3	Any player that receives a game misconduct in the final 5 minutes of the third period will automatically be assessed an additional one game suspension. The player cannot play in any LUG hockey games for any team until after the team they incurred the penalty with has played their next game.
APPEAL PROCESS	A Team Captain, on behalf of the suspended player, may appeal a suspension of three (3) games or more by filing a written submission to LUG Management and paying a $75 review fee. The appeal letter must be submitted to LUG Management within three (3) days of the suspension's issue and the fee must be received before any appeal will be considered. A suspension appeal may only be made by the Team Captain. The letter must outline the basis for the appeal (eg Player's penalty history, comparable suspension length for similar infraction, etc). Upon receipt of the appeal letter and review fee, the appeal will be reviewed by LUG Management. The following information may be considered relevant to any review: - Player suspension and penalty history relevant to LUG league play in any sport - Game Officials' reports - LUG onsite staff and Commissioner reports - All information gathered in the initial suspension review