All players must be clear of the attacking zone (skate contact with the blue line) prior to a puck being shot into that zone. The opportunity to "tag" and return into the zone has been removed, and only when the defensive Team brings the puck into the neutral zone, can they be legally checked without an off-side or stoppage being called for failing to advance the puck.

SLOW WHISTLE

(a) Players of the attacking Team must not precede the puck into the attacking zone.

(b) For violation of this Rule, the play is stopped and the puck shall be faced-off in the neutral zone at the face-off spot nearest the attacking zone of the offending Team.

(NOTE) A player actually controlling the puck who shall cross the line ahead of the puck shall not be considered "off-side."

(c) For all delayed off-sides, including intentional off-sides, the Linesman will raise his non-whistle arm. He will allow play to continue and, if a stoppage of play occurs, there will be three possible face-off locations:

(1) When an intentional off-side has been called, the face-off location will be on the face-off spot of the offending team's defensive zone.

(2) If an errant pass is not intercepted by the defending player, the whistle shall be blown and the ensuing face-off shall take place at the location from where the pass or shot originated.

(3) If the puck is intercepted by the defending player and he is checked, losing puck control, the ensuing face-off shall take place on a neutral zone face-off spot nearest to the defending Team's blue line.

(NOTES:)

(i) An intentional off-side is one which is made for the purpose of securing a stoppage of play regardless of the reason.

(ii) If, while an off-side call is delayed, a player of the offending Team deliberately touches the puck to create a stoppage of play, the Linesman will signal an intentional off-side.

(iii) An intentional off-side is still in effect when a team is short-handed. A defensive player, who is in position to play the puck into the zone, should play the puck or the ensuing face-off will be conducted where the shot originated.

(iv) If icing is signaled and off-side occurs on the same play, the off-side will be called.

(v) If a delayed off-side has been signaled, the non-offending player must carry or pass the puck towards and into the neutral zone. If he does not, the whistle shall be blown and the face-off take place in the neutral zone at a spot nearest the defending Team's blue line.

(vi) If, in the judgement of the Linesman, the attacking player(s) are making an effort to exit the attacking zone and are in close proximity to the blue line at the time the puck is shot into the zone, the play will not be deemed to be an intentional off-side.

(vii) If the puck is shot at the goal and is not intercepted, this may be deemed to be an intentional off-side.

(viii) A puck that deflects back into the defensive zone off of an Official who is in the neutral zone will be off-side.

(d) If a player legally carries or passes the puck back into his own defensive zone while a player of the opposing Team is in such defensive zone, the off-side shall be ignored and play permitted to continue. (No slow whistle.)

(NOTE) If a puck clearly deflects off a defensive player in the neutral zone back into the defensive zone, all attacking players are eligible to play the puck.

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