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FRASER: YOU BETTER HURRY UP AND TAKE THAT FACEOFF

Kerry Fraser, TSN.CA, 10/12/2011

Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry Fraser wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca!

Hey Kerry,

During the Florida-Pittsburgh game on Tuesday night, I noticed in one faceoff that the linesman dropped the puck when there was no one in the circle for the Pens. Is this allowed?

Thanks,
Wes Krentz
Unity, Saskatchewan

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Wes: Not only was the correct faceoff procedure followed by linesman Steve Miller but a goal did result against the Penguins on the ensuing end to end rush.

A few years ago, in an effort to speed up the game the League instituted a "hurry up faceoff" procedure. Here is how the process works. Once the neutral zone referee completes the line change that each team is allowed to make (last change to home team) he will then lower his hand to indicate no further change. This triggers the linesman at the faceoff location to blow his whistle which is a signal to both teams that they have no more than five (5) seconds to line up for the ensuing faceoff. At the end of the five seconds, the lineman is instructed to conduct a proper faceoff.

The word "proper" means that both centres should be positioned for the faceoff with their sticks on the ice utilizing the correct on-ice markings and teams are in an on-side position with no encroachment. This is however, assuming that both opposing centres are in the immediate vicinity of the faceoff spot. The linesman can and will eject a center that does not comply, stands back and attempts to quarterback or if his team commits a violation for encroachment. The optimum word here is "immediate vicinity" of the faceoff spot.

The language of Rule 76 for faceoff Procedure clearly states that, "If a centre is not at the designated face-off area once the five (5) second time has elapsed, the linesman will drop the puck immediately." The rule further directs the linesman to drop the puck immediately if the centre is back from the face-off spot, is "quarterbacking" or refused to come into faceoff area when instructed to do so, or is just slow to arrive when the five seconds has elapsed.

In practical application of the faceoff procedure every linesman in the league will attempt to work with the centres wherever possible utilizing common sense. Should the centre be moving to the faceoff spot and in close proximity after the five seconds has elapsed the linesman will simply wave the slowpoke out of the circle for a replacement. If the defending team center was in violation of this rule to the extent we saw last night I have to believe that he would be ejected from the faceoff before the puck was dropped on the stick of the attacking center; although I have been on the ice when this happened. You should have seen the mad dash fire drill that resulted from that one!

Last night, Penguins centre Joe Vitale was excessively slow getting to the face-off location judging from the fact that he wasn't even in the wide camera frame of the television broadcast. Linesman Steve Miller was ready to conduct the face-off along with the entire Panther unit that hungered for the black disc.

The faceoff procedure was followed perfectly in this situation when Miller dropped the puck. So many nights I heard catcalls from the crowd when a frustrated fan would shout at a linesman, "Just DROP The Puck!"

Last night in Pittsburgh, Steve Miller complied with their ongoing request. You can bet the Penguins' centre ice men will be first to arrive on the scene in the future!

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."