For months now, there has been reporting indicating that the league was going to put a new focus on cross-checking this season, penalizing it more strictly. Today, the league even released a video announcing its new, stricter enforcement guidelines, giving examples of the kind of plays that will now be expected to draw penalties. Examples along the boards, in front of the net and in open ice on the rush are shown. Though the league is clear this is not a rule change, it is a change to the interpretation of rule 59 which currently reads:
Cross-checking: The action of using the shaft of the stick between the two hands to forcefully check an opponent.
The wording is not being changed, but the video explains that it is a judgment call made by an official that will be done differently this season.
Although not a change to the rule, beginning in the 2021-22 season, there will be a stricter enforcement of rule 59.
Officials may allow players to use the shaft of the stick to guide or push an opponent without assessing a penalty. However, if the guiding or pushing is judged to be excessive, an interference penalty may be assessed.
Players and coaches alike have long cried out for change to the cross-checking enforcement, given the punishment that has been allowed in front of the net. If this rule is truly enforced differently this upcoming season, there may be a significant change to the way players defend, especially on the penalty kill. As with any judgment call though, it remains to be seen how strictly the officials actually call these listed offenses.
Sarcastapuck
Tom Wilson is on the phone with Parros as we speak
So, you can rest the stick on the player and then push…like a wrist shot. Smooth is legal.
But, you can’t do the cross check equivalent of a snap shot or slap shot. Abrupt and choppy is illegal.
“Officials may allow players to use the shaft of the stick to guide or push an opponent without assessing a penalty. However, if the guiding or pushing is judged to be excessive, an interference penalty may be assessed.”
Hmm…Wouldn’t the penalty just be cross-checking?
I also didn’t really understand this point, but not only does the video say interference, it shows a clip of a ref signaling interference. I will keep looking for clarification here.
It seems like it needs to be slow and deliberate? As in gently put the stick to the back, pushhhhhh and hopefully they don’t fall over but just get moved… gently moved.
Thanks Gavin. I found that to be perplexing, but that is just par for the course with the NHL.
That cowardly cross check by the Isles Mayfield on Kucherov in the back did it for me. Broke his rib. Isles are a dirty team, but that that was low. No penalty called.
I saw Tom Wilson mentioned above. The play that sticks out for me from the past year with regards to excessive cross-checking was the hit where Wilson knocked out Carlo. I actually have more of an issue with the lack of discipline to Vrana for his cross-checks to Carlo after he was down from the Wilson hit. I can’t comprehend how that play was reviewed with so much scrutiny for that part to not even be noticed. That stuff has gotta go.
The NHL while being my favorite sports league to watch is fricken Mickey Mouse and cowardly. They’ll talk big and then in the playoffs goon hockey will prevail.
I used to love the huge hits and the fights. But then I grew up and learned that concussions cause CTE which is, frankly worse than a quick death.
The NHL still denies this FACT. Basically the worst, most heinous position possible.
I will always support the sport. The leadership needs to be changed.
Bettman has from the time he became league commissar (hehe) wanted to push the NHL in the direction of the NBA. Since the Michael Jordan era, things like being called for traveling and double dribbling (remember those terms from gym class?!) have all but disappeared from the game in order to increase scoring. Bettman thinks more scoring is the answer to everything, thus rule changes such as this.
And maybe more goals is the thing that draws the semi-interested fan to the game, but I know of few hardcore hockey fans who want to see all-star game brand hockey during the regular season.
On a side note, I always find it ironic that the NHL harkens back to the days of the Wings/Avs rivalry, the Big Bad Bruins, Broad Street Bullies, Slapshot and Gordie Howe hat tricks but then continues to change the game completely in the opposite direction of those times. Go figure.
The years of the wings-Avs rivalry were unreal. Not only did they have tons of skill but they were tough as nails. I used to watch the old Don Cherry DVDs and you see a guy like Mats Sundin. Uber talented yet was hacking, laying the body and didn’t shy away from the rough stuff. I love watching these kids nowadays who are immensely talented but one wonders if they could play even 15-20 years ago and make it. I miss the hitting from that era. I don’t like the leafs but their team back then was sick. Sundin, corson, roberts, Tucker, Domi, McCabe, Mogilny later on… oh and Joseph. So sic!