1. Equipment

*ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE C.S.A. APPROVED*
A. Helmets are mandatory and shall be secured by a chinstrap. Elbowpads, shoulderpads etc... to be worn under jersey.
2. Game Duration

a) All regular season games shall be timed according to the following:

5 minute warm up.
1st period - 17 minutes.
2nd period - 17 minutes.
3rd period - 18 minutes maximum.

b) If a team is not on the ice ready to play after the 5 minute warm up, that club will be assessed a delay of game minor penalty.

c) If the team is not ready to start 10 minutes past the scheduled start time, that club will be assessed a second delay of game minor penalty.

d) If the team is not ready to start 15 minutes past the scheduled start time, they will forfeit the game and a score of 1-0 will be posted in the opponent's favour. This will be considered a default.

e) Playoff games are 3- 12 minute stop time periods.
3. Game Default

a). If a team is not on the ice ready to play after the 5 minute warm up, that club will be assessed a delay of game minor penalty.

b). If the team is not ready to start 10 minutes past the scheduled start time, that club will be assessed a second delay of game minor penalty.

c). If the team is not ready to start 15 minutes past the scheduled start time, they will forfeit the game and a score of 1-0 will be posted in the opponent's favour. This will be considered a default.

d). Five (5) skaters and a goalie to play. Teams will be allowed to pick-up players to ice a maximum nine (9) players. The short handed team cannot have more players than the other team, (1) less than the opposing team in order to have a more competitive game.

e). If at any time during a game, a 3 player minimum is not maintained on the ice that game will become an automatic forfeit (score of 1-0).

4. Penalties

a) Penalty length during running time:
- Minor: 3 minutes
- Major: 7 minutes
- Misconduct: 15 minutes

b) A player may close his hand on the puck, but must drop it immediately without gaining a territorial advantage.

c) If a player receives 3 aggressive stick penalties in a game, he is ejected from that game immediately and not allowed to remain on the bench. Another player from the ice must serve his penalty.

d) Any physical abuse of the Officals will result in immediate suspension for the remainder of the season and playoffs with that players membership in the WFFHL under review..

e) Any player receiving a game ejection penalty for verbal abuse of an official or conduct considered to be unbecoming or disruptive shall be suspended for:

i: First offense, 2 playable games
ii: Second offense, 4 playable games
iii: Third offense, 8 playable games with that players membership in the WFFHL under review.

f) Any other rule infractions (i.e. highstick, crosscheck, elbowing) that results in injury to the opposing player will be assessed a Major penalty and a game misconduct.

g) Any penalty in the last minute (1) of the 3rd period in regular season will result in a penalty shot to non-offending team, a non player foul penalty (ie:delay of game) a player on the ice must take the shot as designated by that teams Captain or Assistant).

h) Penalties will result in a face off in that teams defensive zone at the appropriate face off circle.

5. Fighting

a) Fighting will be assessed if a player drops his gloves and throws a punch. The penalty for fighting is a Major plus a Game Misconduct.

b) A player dropping his gloves during an altercation will be assessed a game ejection penalty as well as a minor penalty. If no punches are thrown, no additional penalty will be assessed.

c) Suspensions for fighting will be decided by the Commissioners after consulting with the Referees involved.

d) Any unserved suspension will be carried over to the playoffs or next season.

6. Slapshots

a) This is a NO SLAPSHOT league. Any shot taken either forehand or backhand must have the stick at knee level or below.

b) A golf swing will be ruled a slapshot.

c) A slapshot or fake slapshot will result in a faceoff in the teams defensive zone...no penalty unless:

i - During the regular season, if a slapshot or fake slapshot is taken a by a team in that teams defensive zone during the last minute (1) of the 3rd period, it will result in a penalty shot. (player on the ice must take the shot as designated by that teams Captain or Assistant).

ii - At anytime a team is shorthanded and a a slapshot or fake slapshot is taken by a team in that teams defensive zone, it will result in a delay of game penalty.

7. Suspensions

a) A Game Misconduct penalty will have the WFFHL executive and Referees involved to determine the appropriate suspension (1 game minimum).

b) A Match penalty will have the offending player suspended indefinately until a review can be undertaken.

c) A player recieving 2 game ejections in the same season will receive an additional 1 game suspension with a player review. Any subsequent ejections will accompany the additional 1 game suspension with review.

d) Any unserved suspension will be carried over to the playoffs or next season.

8. Bodychecking

a) This is a "NO" bodycheck league. Infractions seen will be penalizied.

b) A bodycheck deemed deliberate or with intent, shall constitute a Major penalty and game ejection.

c) If an injury occurs, a Major penalty and game misconduct will be assessed.

9. Player Change

a) Short handed teams may only change players on the fly once the penalty has started. If the shorthanded team scores, they still cannot change. A minor penalty (delay of game) will be assessed for violation of this rule.

b) In the last 5 minutes of the regular season games, players must change on the fly at ALL TIMES.

c) If a goalie from the losing team has been pulled for an extra attacker and that team scores to TIE the game, the goalie will be allowed to return to his net and one skater must leave the ice as quickly as possible. At any attempt to delay this will result in a delay of game penalty.

10. Face-Offs

a) After the Referee has indicated the he is ready to drop the puck, either verbally or with a whistle, the centers will have 5 seconds to line up. The puck will be dropped, providing that one team is lined up properly.

b) Players not "on-side" (in relation to the faceoff dot) who do not attempt to "tag up" and become involved in the play, will be assessed a delay-of-game penalty.

c) When a team becomes shorthanded due to a penalty, the faceoff shall be in the offending teams defensive zone appropriate faceoff circle.

11. Delay Of Game

a) Delay of game (i.e. knocking net off mooring, shooting puck over the glass) in the last minute (1) of play in the regular season will result in a penalty shot (taken by player on the ice).

B) Any player shooting a puck out of play in their defensive zone results in a delay of game penalty.

12. Goal Crease

a) Any goal scored with an opposing player in the goal crease shall be disallowed.

b) If contact has been made with the goaltender, it shall be no goal with a minor penalty for interference.

13. Spare Goalies

a) Team Secondary Goalies MUST be used during the regular season and playoff games. League Spare goalies may be used only as a LAST RESORT with approval from League Commissionaires and Team Captains.

14. Playoff Goalies

- Team Secondary Goalies are to be used when Primary Goalie us unavailable.
- Top three spares with most games go into a pool.
- Spares get only one entry each.
- Spares will be picked at the previous ice before the next game. All three drawn and put in the order of draw. If the first team does not need the first pick he then goes to to team 2 and down the list.
- Next game all the names go back into the hat and then redrawn and put into order.
- Goalies names are not revealed until they show up for the game.

15. Code of Conduct

League members shall refrain from acting unlawfully and / or engaging in
conduct that would discredit or compromise the integrity of the League or the Winnipeg Fire Department. Those in violation will be suspended with a review of their standing.

16. Goals

Play is stopped once a goaltender is hit in the mask. If the puck enters the net as a direct result of a puck hitting the mask, the goal shall count.

17. Playoff Overtime

- Both Wild Card games and First Round series games will go to a 5 minute stop time period, 5 on 5 and then followed by a 3 man shootout. You cannot use the same player until all the players have shot.
- The Final Series will have two 5 minute OT periods. The first will be 5 on 5, and the second period will be 4 on 4, and then into a 3 man shootout as described above.

18. Playoff Home Ice Adavantge alternates