Code of Conduct & Rules
The NSBHL (HSBHL) has a very strict code of conduct that is enforced. We strongly urge every player / parent / coach / spectator review the code of conduct prior to registering, coaching or attending any event. The Code Of Conduct will be enforced.
Rules ** 2026 Season
UNIFORMS
- All players must wear full uniforms for all games - this includes jersey and shorts - including goalies
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY - Game Day Details
- Any player may be asked by a NSBHL/HSBHL official prior to any game to check in to participate in games - school id is required or schedule is acceptable.
- In the HIgh School division if a player on X Team 2 is called up - they can play for X Team 1 for the weekend only. Players on X Team 1 rosters initially can not play down. Any player can only play for one team per round / weekend. - Players who are called up must be noted on the scoresheet prior to the game
GAME DETAILS & Scoring
- Coaches-Only 3 per bench • Minor Penalty if there are more than 3 and / or they are not certified. Non-certified / non-approved coaches will be asked to leave the bench after the penalty has been assessed. 3 Coaches on the bench - this includes between periods.
- Teams flip a coin for choice of bench and choice of jersey color if needed - ref or HSBHL official decides if jerseys are too close in color
- POINT SCORING/GAME TIMING
Win: 3 pts
Tie: 1 pt
Loss: 0 pts
- Playoffs: The Higher Seeded Team is home and has a choice of goal defended and the player's bench.
- Game Time- Games will start on time - not early
- Forfeits: There will be a 10-minute-foreit time. If a team receives a forfeit they will receive 3
points, and up to a 6 gf, to be determined by the HSBHL Board. The team that forfeits will be reviewed by the HSBHL.
- 3 periods of 12 minutes each with the clock stopping. 1½ minutes intermission between periods. Clock will NOT run any time a goal differential of six (6) is reached. Any time during any game in which there is a goal differential equal to seven (7) the game shall be declared over immediately. - NO RUNNING CLOCK - GAME OVER AT 7 DIFFERENTIAL
- Time Outs: 1 time-out per game allowed and 1 in each over-time period. There are NO BACK TO BACK timeouts allowed. The team who calls the 2nd time out will be issued a delay of game minute bench minor.
- Tie Score:
* Regular season Ties Stand
• Playoffs: Sudden death 5 -minute overtime period - followed by a 3 person shootout - after which Oshi rule is in effect until winner
Championship games will be played until there is a winner with 12 minute periods - 5 Min OT period is played with teams playing the same ends as the 1st period.
Championship Overtime
• For the first over-time period teams DO switch sides as it is a continuation of the game.
- Playoff Positioning is based on Points -Ties for positioning in the playoff rounds are broken as follows; Head to
Head, Wins, Goals against, Goals for, Coin Flip - If more than 2 teams are tied in points HEAD TO HEAD is NOT COUNTED
- To start a team has to have 7 players - once 7 players are present the game will start
- Lightning Policy will be followed - Any Thunder or Lightning and games will go into DELAY MODE - players and coaches must leave the rink/benches and get in a vehicle or building - NO EXCEPTIONS
HSBHL Game Rules - COC - Penalties
- The offense can not flip ball from behind the net over the goal/goalie - it is a dead ball and comes out of the zone - the defense can attempt to clear the ball in this manner
- If a player INTENTIONALLY shoots the ball out of the rink - with the intent to stop the game - it is a delay of game minor penalty
- Icing: Will be from behind the Defensive Blue Line.
- Floating Blue Line/Offside • Going into the zone, when the ball crosses the blue line, the zone is gained extending back to the Red Line. Once the ball crosses the Red Line, the Offensive Team’s players must clear the defending team’s blue line and the ball enters past the blue line to be considered onside again.
- Delayed Offside • Games will be played with a delayed off side in effect. Play is whistled dead if there is a shot on goal, regardless if the player got back before the ball reached the goal.
- Two line passes and lobs are permitted
-- Double hand up is a Minor Penalty - hand up and hand forward is NOT a penalty
- HAND PASS IS ALLOWED in the defensive zone. The defensive zone is blue line in. Pass must originate and end behind the blue line
- HAND PASS TO THE NET An offensive player cannot hand the ball onto the goalie, crease or in the net. Doing so will result in a stoppage and the ball comes out of the zone.
- “crease violations” will be called • No attacking team member is allowed in the crease prior to the ball. If an attacker is in the crease - the play shall be blown dead and the faceoff goes outside the zone. No penalty is called unless the player INTERFERES with the goalie - then it is a minor penalty. Goalies are not allowed to push/shove/slash/cross check or otherwise interfere with an attacking player . This is a minor penalty.
- Penalties: Minor: 2 Minute, Major: 5 Minutes, Misconduct: 10 Minutes.
- All penalties result in the face-off taking place deep in the penalized team’s zone. • EXCEPT, if the non-offending team is called for icing the ball.
- Exclusion from Game • any 3 Minor Penalties or 1 Major = exclusion from the remainder of that game. • Exclusions subject to review and discipline - misconducts all subject to review
- High Stick: When the ENTIRE Blade is higher than the shoulder when making a play on the ball. - Play is whistled dead immediately and face off with the offending team gaining NO ADVANTAGE.
- Closed Hand/Delay of Game: You CAN close your hand around the ball and go directly to the ground with a constant type motion, no tricks. Ref discretion. Hand pass rules are in effect and result in a stoppage (allowed by defense in the defensive zone).
- Equipment Challenges: One challenge per stoppage. (NOT ONE PER SIDE – whoever challenges first) No back to back challenges. The team who challenges 2nd or tries a back to back challenge during the SAME STOPPAGE will be issued a minor delay of game penalty.
- Fighting: See Code of Conduct - All fights come with a review for further action.
- Intent to Injure / Match Penalty • Is an automatic (minimum) 3 game suspension & review by the HSBHL. The above are MINIMUM penalties the HSBHL reserves the right to impose additional actions for the safety and integrity of the game.
ALCOHOL:
- Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited - players or spectators - anyone violating this will be asked to leave the complex immediately
EQUIPMENT:
- Equipment: Gloves must be Street Hockey, Ice Hockey, or Lacrosse gloves (padded). No garden, bike, baseball, football gloves. Helmets with cage or full face shield. Sticks—No aluminum sticks will be permitted; Sticks must be Street Hockey or Composite, blades can be plastic or ABS, no all wood blade, butt end required. - All players are required to wear HECC Certified Helmet with FULL CAGE or full shield - must wear leg pads - soccer style are NOT allowed - elbow pads and mouth pieces are HIGHLY recommended.
- PENALTIES/INFRACTIONS per rule book.
- NSBHL/HSBHL Board reserves the right to exclude any individual as they deem necessary to protect the integrity of the game and safety of the players, coaches, refs and spectators.
- THE NSBHL/HSBHL BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVIEW ANY SITUATION AND IMPOSE ANY SANCTIONS ON INDIVIDUALS, PLAYERS, PARENTS, COACHES, SPECTATORS or OTHERS that show a blatant disregard for safety, good sportsmanship or have a continued negative impact on the game, not defined above or specifically outlined in the code of conduct.
-HSBHL & NSBHL are used interchangeable