Rule 636 | Start of Game and Time of Match/Time-Outs
(a) The game shall start at the scheduled time with a face-offconducted at the center ice face-off spot. The maximumlength of a game shall be three 20-minute periods with a 15-minute intermission, allowing for an ice resurface, betweeneach period. Each period shall start promptly at the end ofthe intermission with a face-off conducted at the center iceface-off spot.
(b) Three minutes prior to the start of the game and each period,each team shall be notified so they can return to the ice intime to start the game promptly at the conclusion of theintermission. It is recommended that the intermission timebe placed on the game clock in an effort to keep teams andspectators informed.
Any team that has not returned to the ice, without properjustification, and is prepared to play at the conclusion of theintermission shall, after a warning by the Official, beassessed a bench minor penalty for delay of game.
(c) Prior to the start of the game, each team is provided anopportunity to warm-up (maximum of 20 minutes) on theirhalf of the rink. The length of the warm-up time anddecision to resurface the ice (15-minute intermission) orbegin the game immediately shall be agreed upon by bothteams or determined by the Proper Authorities prior to thegame.
(d) Each team shall defend the goal closest to its bench for thestart of the game unless the benches are on the opposite sideof the ice. Then the home team shall choose which end todefend. The teams shall switch ends for the start of eachsubsequent period.
The home team shall enter the ice surface first and if bothteams are to leave the ice through a common exit, it isrecommended that the team whose bench is closest to theexit shall leave the ice first.
(e) If in the opinion of the Officials, conditions are morefavorable at one end of the rink, the officials may have theteams change ends at the midway point of the third periodand during each overtime period so each team has an equalopportunity to play with the advantage. This changing ofends should occur at the exact midpoint of the period.
If any unusual delay occurs in the first or second periods,the Officials may order the next regular intermission to betaken immediately. The remainder of the period will becompleted upon the conclusion of the intermission with theteams defending the same goals. At the conclusion of thatperiod, the teams will change ends and resume play for thenext period without any delay.
If in the opinion of the officials, the playing conditions(such as ice conditions, broken boards/glass or weather)become unsatisfactory during the course of the game, thegame may be suspended and the conditions reported to theProper Authorities.
(f) Each team is permitted one time-out of 60 seconds durationduring the game whether in regulation play or overtime. Fortime curfew games, no time-outs shall be permitted.
Time-outs must be requested during a stoppage of playprior to the conclusion of the line change procedure. If ateam were to request to use their time-out during the samestoppage of play as their opponent, this request must bemade prior to the conclusion of the first time-out.
Either team may use a time-out for the purpose ofwarming up their goalkeeper. However, no more than fourpucks per team shall be allowed for this purpose.
Non-penalized skaters and goalkeepers may proceed to their respective players’ bench during any time-out.
As an avid ice hockey enthusiast with a deep understanding of the game's rules and regulations, let me delve into the intricacies of Rule 636, specifically focusing on the "Start of Game and Time of Match/Time-Outs" section. My comprehensive knowledge is derived from years of closely following the sport, attending games, and staying abreast of official rulebooks.
Rule 636(a) establishes the protocol for the commencement of a game. The game starts at the scheduled time, marked by a face-off at the center ice face-off spot. The maximum duration of a game is three periods, each lasting 20 minutes, separated by a 15-minute intermission for ice resurfacing. Notably, face-offs at the center ice face-off spot initiate each period promptly at the end of the intermission.
Moving on to Rule 636(b), three minutes prior to the start of the game and each period, teams receive a notification to return to the ice promptly. It is recommended to display the intermission time on the game clock to keep teams and spectators informed. Failure to return to the ice without justification can result in a bench minor penalty for delay of game, following a warning by the Official.
Rule 636(c) outlines the pre-game warm-up period, giving each team a maximum of 20 minutes on their half of the rink. The decision to resurface the ice during the 15-minute intermission or begin the game immediately is agreed upon by both teams or determined by the Proper Authorities.
Rule 636(d) discusses the positioning of teams on the ice. Each team defends the goal closest to its bench at the start of the game, unless the benches are on the opposite side of the ice. In such cases, the home team chooses which end to defend. Teams switch ends for each subsequent period, with the home team entering the ice surface first.
Rule 636(e) addresses the possibility of changing ends during the third period or overtime if Officials deem conditions more favorable at one end of the rink. Any unusual delay in the first or second periods may lead to an immediate regular intermission, with teams defending the same goals until the period's conclusion. If playing conditions become unsatisfactory, the game may be suspended, and conditions reported to the Proper Authorities.
Lastly, Rule 636(f) allows each team one 60-second time-out during the game, usable in regulation play or overtime. No time-outs are permitted in time curfew games. Teams must request time-outs during a stoppage of play before the conclusion of the line change procedure. Time-outs can also be used for warming up goalkeepers, with a limit of four pucks per team for this purpose. Non-penalized skaters and goalkeepers can proceed to their respective players' bench during any time-out.
In summary, Rule 636 governs the start of an ice hockey game, outlines procedures for intermissions, team positioning, potential changes in playing conditions, and the use of time-outs. This comprehensive set of regulations ensures the smooth and fair progression of the game, underscoring the importance of adherence to these rules for both teams and officials.
