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New AHL Rules
(effective during the 2004-2005)
The NHL has adopted
some of these rule revisions as well.
That new look includes:
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· Wider blue lines and a
wider center red line. The width of the lines is now 24 inches, a foot
wider than the 12-inch width that previously had been in play.
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· The goal line has been
moved back to 11 feet from the end boards, two feet narrower than the old
13-foot distance between the goal line and the end boards.
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· For at least the first
seven weeks of the season, there will be restricting lines around the net,
defining the limits of where a goaltender may play the puck. The area,
which will be marked by lines on the ice, begins at the goal line 6 feet
from either side of the net and extends diagonally to points 28 feet apart
at the end boards.
Goalies will not be permitted to play any puck behind the
goal line outside the restricted area.
Violations will result in a two-minute delay of game
penalty against the goalie.
The test period for the restricted area will end Nov. 28,
at which time the AHL will determine whether the rule will remain in effect
for the remainder of the season.
There are three more changes which will also be
noticeable:
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· The implementation of
"no-touch," or automatic, icing, which has been the rule in international
and collegiate hockey. Now, whenever the puck crosses the goal line in an
icing situation, the whistle is immediately blown.
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· A return to "tag-up"
off-sides, in which offensive players in the zone have the opportunity to
get back to the blue line to tag up without a whistle if the puck goes
outside the zone and then is played back in.
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· The implementation of a
shootout to decide regular season games which are tied after overtime.
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