There has been some serious debate about the rules this past season, and even this season, about what the dumb ass refs are calling, and what they aren’t. But even with a rulebook in hand (which the NHL hasn’t put into bookstores yet for this year), it can be hard to tell what should be called and what shouldn’t, by the rules laid out in the NHL. USA Hockey or Hockey Canada may have differences, just like the minors and juniors have their differences.

But looking at the rulebook can be a little confusing, and that is where the Casebook comes in. It’s a situation manual, describing what the rules really mean, how they are applied, and what should be called a penalty, and what shouldn’t. Also, it has the breakdown of who stays in the box for how long when there are multiple penalties. It’s a serious read, and worth it. Look for last years at the NHL Official Guide site. Heavy stuff.

But today, I want to talk to you about the Interference rule (rule 56). It is a rule based entirely on one strange principle, and that is possession. Who has the puck, and who doesn’t is the defining factor of an interference call, and it is not as simple as it may seem. Page 114 of the NHL rulebook (link in PDF) states:

The last player to touch the puck, other than the goaltender, shall be
considered the player in possession. The player in possession of the puck may be
checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss
of possession.

So, let’s not just look at the rule, let’s look at an example. Let’s take a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the L.A. Kings:

Sidney Crosby has the puck in the neutral zone. He dumps the puck in the corner with ten seconds to go. Scrums erupt everywhere and the puck sits in the corner. Suddenly, Sean Avery slams into Crosby, making Crosby cry like a little girl. Interference? No. Crosby still has possession.

Or, Crosby dumps the puck, scrums erupt, nobody touches the puck. Crosby goes to the bench, sits down, and imagines his jersey number hung in the rafters of wherever the new owner moves the team. Suddenly, Avery jumps over the boards and slams Crosby into the back wall. Interference? No.

The horn blows, the players leave, and everyone files out of the building. Even the ice techs leave, knowing they only have more hockey ahead, and wondering if they will have a job next season. They don’t Zamboni, and leave the game puck just sitting in the corner. Sid the Kid gets into his Honda Hybrid car and drives home. After popping open a Grape Nehi and a box of Teddy Grahams, he settles in to watch the repeat of the game, and see if his new commercial is on the air yet. Just then, there is a knock at the door. “I didn’t order any pizza, and the circus animals don’t get here until Wednesday. Who could that be?” he thinks to himself. He opens the door, and standing there, in his full playing gear, is Sean Avery. “Sid,” he says, “I would have words with thee.” Avery lowers the boom, slams the hammer, fizzles the shizzle, trips the light fantastic, and hits Sidney with a devastating body check. Crosby’s waif like body flies through the air, and before he can get the word “Reebok” through his mind, he slams Hollywood style into his kitchen table, thinking to himself, “Why does the bad man hate me?”

Interference? No.

Now, had Evgeni Malkin come back to the Mellon Arena after everyone left and picked up the puck, taking it home and snuggling with it like a teddy bear as he dreams of the Calder trophy, then it would be interference. In fact, Mick MaGoo could come in, waiving his hands around like an aircraft controller to make the call, and it would be his first of three good call for the season.

So, I hope that cleared things up. I would like to thank Sidney Crosby and Sean Avery for their help in our little demonstration. If you have any questions, the comments are open.

Next week, Tripping with Ken Klee..

Technorati : Hockey, Interferrence, NHL, Rules