Regel 86: Start of Game and Periods

In game facilities during League Championship events where the participating Teams enter and depart the ice surface using the same common door and hallway system, the procedure is proposed to ensure that the Teams enter and depart the ice surface in an orderly fashion and without incident.

The game clock will be the only timing device used in the timing of all activities including the “pre-game warm-up”, the period intermissions and the actual game itself.

The game shall be commenced at the time scheduled by a “face-off” in the Center of the Rink and shall be renewed promptly at the conclusion of each intermission in the same manner.

A Bench Minor Penalty for “Delay of Game” shall be imposed on either or both Teams if:
(I) They are not on the ice or can be seen proceeding to the ice to start the second, third or any Overtime period when the intermission time on the clock has expired.

(II) At the start of the second, third and any Overtime period, all Players with the exception of the starting Players must proceed directly to their respective Players’ Benches. Skating, warm-ups or on-ice activities by non-starters is not permitted.

(III) When the visiting Team must proceed by the way of the ice to their Dressing Room at the end of a period, they must wait for a signal from one of the Officials before proceeding. Failure to wait for the Official’s signal shall result in a penalty.

If not specified by the organizing bodies, the Home Team shall have the choice of the goal to defend at the start of the game. The Teams shall change ends for each period of regulation time.

No delay shall be permitted by reason of any ceremony, exhibition, demonstration or presentation unless approved by the League.

At the conclusion of the first and second periods, upon hearing the buzzer, the Teams must follow these procedures to leave the ice surface. As soon as the buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the period, the game clock will be immediately re-set with the appropriate intermission time frame.
Players shall not be permitted to come on the ice during a stoppage of play or at the end of the first and second periods for the purpose of warming-up. The Referee will report any violation of this rule to the Proper Authorities for disciplinary action.

During the pre-game warm-up (which shall not exceed 15 minutes in duration) and before the commencement of play in any period, each Team shall confine its activity to its own end of the Rink.
→ Rule 46.10 – Fighting prior to the Drop of the Puck

The Game Timekeeper shall be responsible for signaling the commencement and termination of the pre-game warm-up and any violation of this rule by the Players shall be reported to the Proper Authorities. 20 minutes before the time scheduled for the start of the game, both Teams shall vacate the ice and proceed to their Dressing Rooms while the ice is being flooded. Both Teams shall be signaled by the Game Timekeeper to return to the ice together in time for the scheduled start of the game.

If a Team does not appear on the ice on time at the start of the game without justification, this incident will be reported to the Proper Authorities. If deemed appropriate, Supplementary Discipline can be applied by the Proper Authorities at their discretion.
→ Rule 28 – Supplementary Discipline

At the beginning of the second and third periods, and Overtime periods in playoffs (0:00 on the clock), Teams must be on the ice or be observed to be proceeding to the ice.

Failure to comply with this regulation will result in a Bench Minor Penalty for “Delay of Game”. Before the start of the second and third periods (and Overtime) the Teams will proceed directly to their respective Players’ Benches.

The visiting Team will immediately place its Skaters at the Face-off Circle, then the Home Team will follow, with the Referee allowing the Home Team to make a line change if so desired prior to the “face-off”.

Skating, warm-ups, or on-ice activities by non-starters will result in a Bench Minor Penalty for “Delay of Game” to the offending Team. No warm-up involving pucks on the ice shall be permitted for a Goalkeeper at the start of any period.

If, after one warning, this continues, the Referee shall assess a “Delay of Game” penalty to the offending Team. To notify the teams that it is time to return to the ice surface at the beginning of each period, the official game Timekeeper will sound a buzzer in the Dressing Room area.

At the conclusion of the game, the loosing Team will depart the ice surface first, with the winning Team waiting on the ice until the loosing Team has left the ice surface. Once the last player of the losing Team has entered the common hallway, then the Referee will motion the winning team to leave the ice surface.
The Directorate may agree on an adaptation to this regulation taking the positions of the Dressing Rooms of the two competing Teams into consideration.