PHF ANNOUNCES NEW RULES FOR VIDEO REVIEW

Video Goal Judge System & Coach’s Challenge Implemented for Remainder of 2021-22

December 8, 2021 (Brooklyn, N.Y.) – The Premier Hockey Federation today announced the full implementation of a new video goal judge system and coach’s challenge for the remainder of the 2021-22 PHF regular season and playoffs.

“Everybody wants the right calls to be made, especially when it comes to scoring plays that can determine the outcome of games,” said Lisa Haley, PHF Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. “Technology is a natural tool for us to achieve this goal and this is an important endeavor to enhance our competition as a professional league.”

Video goal judges are assigned USA Hockey officials who shall perform their duties at PHF production headquarters in association with VISTA Worldlink. The review system and coach’s challenge were piloted during games played on Sunday November 21 and during select games on December 4 and 5.

The following examples are the only situations that will be subject to video goal judge review:

I. Puck crossing the plane of the goal line;

II. Puck in the goal net prior to the goal frame being displaced;

III. Puck entering the goal net at the expiration of a period;

IV. Puck directed into the goal net by any part of an attacking skater’s body;

V. Puck deflected into the goal net off an on-ice official;

VI. Puck struck with a high stick above the height of the crossbar by an attacking skater prior to entering the goal net;

VII. Puck entering the goal net after an attacking skater has interfered with the goaltender.

Reviews may be initiated by the referee and/or the video goal judge through the official scorekeepers. Teams do not have the authority to request a video review of a play, however may initiate a coach’s challenge for review of the following scenarios:

i. "Off-Side Play Leading to a Goal" 

A play that results in a “GOAL” call on the ice where the defending team asserts that the play should have been stopped by reason of an “Off-side” infraction by the attacking team.

1. The standard for overturning the call in the event of a “GOAL” call on the ice is that the VGJ determines that one or more Players on the attacking team preceded the puck into the attacking zone prior to the goal being scored and that, as a result, the play should have been stopped for an “Off-side” infraction; where this standard is met, the goal will be disallowed.

2. In the event a goal is reversed due to VGJ ruling, determining that the play was “Off-side” prior to the goal being scored, the clock (including penalty time clocks, if applicable) will be re-set to the time at which the play should have been stopped for the “Off-side” infraction. The correct time will be provided by the VGJ to the Official Timekeeper.

3. If the result of the Challenge is that the play was “On-side”, the goal shall count and the team that issued the Challenge shall be assessed a Bench Minor Penalty for delaying the game which can be served by any Player designated by the Head Coach of the penalized team.

NOTE: Goals will only be reviewed for a potential “Off-side” infraction if: (a) the puck does not come out of the attacking zone again; or (b) all members of the attacking team do not clear the attacking zone again, between the time of the “Off-side” play and the time the goal is scored.

ii Scoring Plays Involving Potential “Interference on a Goaltender” 

A play that results in a “GOAL” call on the ice where the defending team asserts that the play should have been stopped by reason of an “Interference on a Goaltender” infraction by the attacking team.

1. A play that results in a “GOAL” call on the ice where the defending team asserts that the goal should have been disallowed due to “Interference on a Goaltender.”

2. The standard for overturning the call in the event of a “GOAL” call on the ice is that the VGJ, determines that the goal should have been disallowed due to “Interference on a Goaltender.”

3. A play that results in a “NO GOAL” call on the ice despite the puck having entered the net, where the On-Ice Officials have determined that the attacking team was guilty of “Interference on a Goaltender” but where the attacking team asserts: (i) there was no actual contact of any kind initiated by an attacking Player with the Goaltender; or (ii) the attacking Player was pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending Player causing the attacking Player to come into contact with the Goaltender; or (iii) the attacking Player is in the Goal Crease at the moment the puck crosses the plane of the goal line and in no way affects the Goaltender’s ability to make a save or play their position.

The standard for overturning the call in the event of a “NO GOAL” call on the ice is that the VGJ determines that the goal on the ice should have been allowed because either: (i) there was no actual contact of any kind initiated by the attacking Player with the Goaltender; or (ii) the attacking Player was pushed, shoved or fouled by a defending Player causing the attacking Player to come into contact with the Goaltender; or (iii) the attacking Player is in the Goal Crease at the moment the puck crosses the plane of the goal line and in no way affects the Goaltender’s ability to make a save or play their position.

Any further failed Coach’s Challenge for “Off-sides” or “Interference on a Goaltender,” will result in an additional 2 minute penalty. There is no limit to the number of Coach’s Challenges, however the failed challenges are cumulative and result in an additional 2min penalty. Ex.: failed challenge #1 = 2min penalty for DG. Failed challenge #2 = 4min penalty for DG. Failed challenge #3 = 6min penalty for DG.

iii Initiated Review by the PHF Video Goal Judge

In the final minute of play in the 3rd period and at any point in Overtime (in any game), the PHF VGJ will initiate the review of any scenario that would otherwise be subject to a Coach’s Challenge.

Where a Coach’s Challenge is available on a scoring play potentially involving “Interference on a Goaltender” or “Off-side,” the VGJ will, as an initial and threshold matter, determine that the puck entered the net and is a good hockey goal. This will eliminate the Coach’s Challenge by either team.

The Video Review mechanism triggered by the Coach’s Challenge is intended to be extremely narrow in scope and the original call on the ice is to be overturned only if a determination is made that the original call on the ice was not correct. A conclusive and irrefutable determination can be made based on video evidence that the original call on the ice was clearly not correct. If a review is not conclusive, the original call on the ice will be confirmed.

About Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)
The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and maintains the mission to provide strong role models and fuel the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.