While the SDHL is not USA Hockey sanctioned or affiliated with USA Hockey in any way, we do use the USA Hockey rule set as a base with the below modifications. In case of any conflict, the SDHL rules post here supercede the USA Hockey rules.
Game Format
1. Playoffs
Playoff games will consist of 3 periods. In order, the periods will be 18 minutes runtime, 18 minutes runtime, and 18 minutes stop time. If the game is tied at the end of stop time, there will be a 5 minute runtime sudden death overtime. The last 30 seconds of every period will always be stop time. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the teams will compete in a shootout to determine the winner.
Each team will have a single 30-second timeout that can be used during regulation time only.
The visiting team will shoot first in the shootout. Teams will take turns choosing one of their own skaters to take a penalty shot attempt until three skaters have shot from each team or one team has an insurmountable lead. If the score is still tied after three skaters per team, additional rounds of one skater per team are completed until a round in which exactly one team's skater scores.
After taking their penalty shot during a shootout, skaters must move to the area of the ice in front of their penalty box. Teams must select a different skater for each shot until the completion of the first round in which at least one team has used their last skater, at which point all skaters return to their benches resetting so that teams may once again select each player one time.
2. Regular Season
Regular season games consist of three periods. In order the periods are 19 minutes runtime, 19 minutes runtime, and 19 minutes stop time. The last 30 seconds of each period will always be stop time. If the game is tied at the end of the third period, the game will be declared a tie.Q
Each team will have a single 30-second timeout that can be used during regulation time only.
Regular season standings are determined by awarding each team 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. Ties in the standings at the end of the regular season will be broken by using the team tiebreaker priority for the correct season:
Thursdays tiebreakers
Seasons 1, 5, 9, 13, 17,...: Spades > Diamonds > Hearts > Clubs
Seasons 2, 6, 10, 14, 18....: Hearts > Spades > Clubs > Diamonds
Seasons 3, 7, 11, 15, 19...: Diamonds > Clubs > Spades > Hearts
Seasons 4, 8, 12, 16, 20...: Clubs > Hearts > Diamonds > Spades
Tuesdays Tiebreakers
Seasons 8, 13, 17....: Aces > Kings > Queens > Jacks
Seasons 10, 14, 18....: Queens > Aces > Jacks > Kings
Seasons 11, 15, 19...: Kings > Jacks > Aces > Queens
Seasons 12, 16, 20...: Jacks > Queens > Kings > Aces
Penalties
Checking is not allowed. It shall be punishable by a minor or major, per referee's discretion.
Scoring a 4th or subsequent goal in a single game will result in the goal being disallowed and the scoring player receiving a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. No player shall be recorded as scoring more than three goals in a single game. These rules about 4th goals do not apply to goals scored in a shootout.
Any player committing a major penalty, match penalty, game misconduct penalty, or three penalties of any type within the same game will be immediately ejected for the remainder of the game. There will be no automatic penalties that extend beyond the game during which the infraction took place. All conduct will be subject to review and potential discipline by the league as per the SDHL Discipline Principles.
During runtime periods, minor penalties will be 3 minutes, major penalties will be 7 minutes, and misconduct penalties will be 10 minutes. During stop time periods, minor penalties will be 2 minutes, major penalties will be 5 minutes, and misconduct penalties will be 10 minutes. Penalty time outstanding during transition from runtime to stop time periods will be adjusted proportionally. Penalty time outstanding will not be adjusted at the start of overtime.
Equipment
Players must wear standard safety equipment to be allowed to play, including Helmet with eye coverage (at least half-shield or cage), elbow pads, padded hockey pants, cup/jock or jill as appropriate, shin guards, skates, and gloves. Shoulder pads are highly recommended but optional.
