Regel 67: Handling Puck

This rule outlines infractions that can result in a penalty when a Player illegally uses their hand on the puck.
→ Rule 79 – Hand Pass for all references related to passing the puck with the hand.

A Player shall be permitted to catch the puck out of the air but must immediately place it or knock it down to the ice.
A Player shall be assessed a Minor Penalty for “closing their hand on the puck”:

1. If they catch it and skates with it, either to avoid a check or to gain a “territorial advantage” over their opponent.
2. If they place their hand over the puck while it is on the ice in order to conceal it from or prevent an opponent from playing the puck.
   When this is done in their Team’s Goal Crease area, a “Penalty Shot” shall be assessed Rule 67.4 – Penalty Shot, or Rule 67.5 – Awarded Goal.
3. If they pick the puck up off the ice with their hand while play is in progress

A Minor Penalty shall be assessed for “Delay of Game” – Face-off Violation to a Player taking the “face-off” who:

1. Attempts to win the “face-off” by batting the puck with their hand.
   Note: The two (2) Players involved in the actual “face-off” (the centers) are not permitted to play the puck with their hand without incurring a penalty under this rule until such time as a third Player (from either Team) has at least touched the puck. Once the “face-off” is deemed complete (and a winner of the “face-off” is clear) hand passes shall be enforced → Rule 79 – Hand Pass

The object of this entire rule is to keep the puck in play continuously and any action taken by the Goalkeeper which causes an unnecessary stoppage must be penalized without warning.

A “Delay of Game” penalty shall be assessed to a Goalkeeper who:

1. Holds the puck with their hands for longer than three (3) seconds unless they are actually being “checked / pressured” by an opponent;
2. Deliberately holds the puck in any manner which, in the opinion of the Referee, causes an unnecessary stoppage of play;
3. Throws the puck forward towards the opponent’s net;
   Note: In the case where the puck thrown forward by the Goalkeeper being taken by an opponent, the Referee shall allow the resulting play to be completed, and if goal is scored by the non-offending Team, it shall be allowed and no penalty given; but if a goal is not scored, play shall be stopped and a Minor Penalty shall be imposed against the Goalkeeper;.
4. Drops the puck into their pads or onto the goal net;
5. Deliberately piles up snow or obstacles at or near their net that, in the opinion of the Referee, would tend to prevent the scoring of a goal.

This rule is described under → Rule 63.6 – Penalty Shot

When a Goalkeeper, prior to proceeding to their Players’ Bench to be replaced by an extra attacker, intentionally leaves their stick or other piece of equipment, piles snow or other obstacles at or near their net that, in the opinion of the Referee, would tend to prevent the puck from entering the net, a goal shall be awarded.
In order to award a goal in this situation, the Goalkeeper must have been replaced for an extra attacker, otherwise a Minor Penalty shall be assessed.
If a Skater, when the Goalkeeper has been replaced for an extra attacker, falls on the puck, holds the puck, picks up the puck, or gathers the puck into their body or hands from the ice in the Goal Crease area, the play shall be stopped immediately, and a goal awarded to the non-offending Team.

A goal cannot be scored by an attacking Player who “bats or directs” the puck with their hand into the net. A goal cannot be scored by an attacking Player who “bats or directs” the puck and it is “deflected” into the net off any Player or Official.
When the puck enters the net on a “clear deflection” off a glove, the goal shall be allowed.