NHL introduces new rules for stadium game at risk of being cancelled.

New rules from the NHL.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
NHL introduces new rules for stadium game at risk of being cancelled.
Chris Szagola/CSM/Zuma

The National Hockey League is in danger of losing one of it's biggest games of the year.

As many die hard hockey fans will know one of the best rivalries in the National Hockey League, the rivalry between interstate rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers, is set to continue today in a rather unique scenario, outdoors in front of thousands up  thousands of hardcore hockey fans as part of the National Hockey League's Stadium Series. That being said though holding games outdoors comes with some unique challenges and the NHL appears to be facing one of those challenges head on today.

There have been multiple reports suggesting that the game could outright be cancelled ahead of the 8 p.m. start time this evening, however according to a report from Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press the game remains set for tonight with the National hockey League expecting rain but not conditions that would force a cancellation.


In spite of Whyno's report however it remains quite clear that the National Hockey League is preparing itself for the eventuality that the game itself could be cancelled. Philadelphia Flyers insider Dave Isaac of USA Today has just reported that the NHL is introducing a series of new rules for the game tonight, rules that seem like they are a lot more contingency plan than they are actual rules if I'm being completely honest.

Here are the rules as per Isaac:

1. Once the game has begun, it may be subject to one or more temporary stoppages due to unplayable weather conditions, at the discretion of the Commissioner.

2. Period and game format may be reconfigured to accommodate temporary stoppages as determined appropriate by the Commissioner.

3. In the event of high winds at the ice surface, the clubs will switch ends at the 10:00 minute mark of the third period as signaled by a "hard whistle." The face off will take place where the play was whistled dead. This identical procedure will take place at the 2:30 minute mark of an overtime period, if needed.

4. In the event of a shootout, each club will determine what end they prefer to defend, which could be the same end.

5. If the game is started, then stopped permanently due to unplayable weather conditions, it will be deemed "official" once two periods have been played. The team leading at the time play is stopped will be declared the winner and will be awarded two points in the standings.

6.  If the game is tied at the time play is stopped permanently, any time after two periods of play, each team will be awarded one point in the standings, with an opportunity to earn an additional point in a standard shootout format.

7.  If weather conditions permit, the shootout will be conducted at Lincoln Financial Field immediately after regulation play has been stopped. If weather conditions make it impossible to conduct a shootout safely at Lincoln Financial Field, the shootout will take place at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday, March 17 prior to the regularly scheduled Philadelphia-Pittsburgh game, with Philadelphia deemed the home club for shootout purposes only.

8. If the game is started, and stopped permanently due to unplayable weather conditions, and fewer than two periods of regular time has been played, the game will be officially "postponed" and, if possible, will be played in its entirety at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Feb. 24. If the game cannot be replayed at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Feb. 24, it will be rescheduled at Wells Fargo Center on a date to be determined later in the season.]

9. Ticket holders must retain their tickets to gain re-entry to Lincoln Financial Field in the event the game is to be played Sunday, Feb. 24. There will be no refunds for ticket holders unable to attend postponement date. If the event is canceled on Sunday, a refund of the ticket's face value will be honored. Ticket holders should review the back of their ticket or click here for complete refund policy language.

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