Release from 17.09.2026

Three rule changes for the new season

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When the new win2day ICE Hockey League season gets underway on Friday, three important rule changes will also come into effect. In addition to the new “No Return Rule” in overtime, there will be adjustments regarding goal calls and faceoffs. Following a goal, referees will generally no longer blow their whistle, while a center committing a faceoff violation will be removed from the faceoff and replaced by a teammate.

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“No Return Rule” introduced for overtime
The win2day ICE Hockey League has introduced a new rule aimed at encouraging more active and offensive play during sudden-victory overtime. Starting on Friday, the so-called “No Return Rule”, which is already successfully used in the Champions Hockey League, will apply during three-on-three overtime.

The rule applies during sudden-victory overtime when both teams are at equal strength with three skaters and one goaltender on the ice. This also includes situations in which the goaltender has been replaced by an additional skater.

Under the new rule, a team that has possession and control of the puck in the offensive zone may not carry, pass or otherwise play the puck back into the neutral zone or its own defensive zone. If a team violates this rule, play will be stopped and a faceoff will take place in the offending team’s defensive zone. No line change will be permitted following the stoppage.

The introduction of the “No Return Rule” is intended to encourage teams to maintain offensive pressure and create scoring opportunities in overtime. At the same time, it is designed to prevent teams from repeatedly and deliberately retreating into their own half of the ice in order to regroup and set up a new attack.

No whistle after a goal
Another change concerns the referees’ procedure following a goal. Starting this season, referees will generally no longer blow their whistle after a goal has been scored. Instead, the referee will signal the goal with the appropriate hand gesture by pointing towards the net.

One of the reasons behind the change is the increasing importance of video review. Many goal situations can now be reviewed afterwards, while a premature whistle can make it more difficult to correctly assess unclear situations. A whistle will therefore only be used if play continues after a goal and the teams do not realize that a goal has been scored.

Center replaced after faceoff violation
There will also be a change to faceoff procedures at the start of the new season. If a team commits a faceoff violation, the center of the offending team will immediately be removed from the faceoff and must be replaced by another player.

There is one exception following an icing. In this situation, the center will only receive a warning for the first faceoff violation and will be allowed to remain for the subsequent faceoff. Further violations may result in additional consequences.