Disconnect and Delay Rules

A) Initial Game Load Disconnections:

If players disconnect during the initial game load before the puck drops, the game will be restarted immediately to gather the missing player(s). No penalties will be issued. If a team needs to pick up their player, they are responsible for closing the match right away. Goals or penalties will still count after the reset. It is strongly recommended that the goalie quits out of the game as soon as it is safe to do so. Goals scored while a goalie is in the pause menu trying to quit will still count.

B) In-Game Skater Drops:

If a skater drops during the game, the game will continue until the end of that period. Everyone will back out to pick up that player, and the game will restart, continuing where it left off. The first period will be whatever period it should have been before the reset. One penalty will be served by the team with the disconnected player, regardless of how many players dropped, in addition to any penalties already being served or earned by other means.

C) Goalie Drops:

If a goalie drops during the game, teams must note the time of the disconnect and restart the game, continuing where the disconnect occurred. If the drop was during period play, subtract the amount of time already played from the end of the game. For example, if the drop occurs after 12 minutes played in the first, the game will restart and conclude at the 8-minute mark of the third. One penalty will be assessed for the disconnection, in addition to any penalty already being served or earned in other means.

D) Skater Pick-Ups:

Skater pick-ups are not permitted during a period of play. All skater pick-ups must be done during the intermission. If a team resets before this time, a penalty will be given to the team who left the game early, in addition to any other penalty already being served or earned.

E) Player Disconnect and Suspension:

Players will receive a suspension of three games if they leave the match for anything other than trying to fix a broken aspect of the game, disconnects or disconnect resets. Players will not be suspended if they leave the game on a disconnect reset before the period concludes but will receive a penalty in addition to any other penalties a team might have earned. Players who disconnect are expected to return within 5 minutes of the game reset, or a match forfeit will be issued. TC/ECU can be used to replace the disconnected player if they have issues connecting or if they have no desire to return. An additional 5 minutes will be granted to allow the TC/ECU to join the match.

F) Playoffs Exceptions:

During playoffs, all regular season rules still apply. However, in the event of a player loss who is unable or unwilling to return, the team may select any player on their roster to fill in or use an ECU/TC. An exception is made for TC/ECUs playing as part of the 10 player requirement. These TCs/ECUs must be replaced by another TC/ECU or a player from the roster not yet counted as one of the 10 players used in the series. In the event a roster player drops in the same situation, a roster replacement will not count toward the 10 player requirement, but a TC/ECU will still count.

G) DC Related delays for the next match:

Any team facing DC restart issues that directly affect the next game starting on time is not at risk of forfeit. Time should be allowed for these teams to finish their game. Rescheduling the end of the game is permitted if it is running excessively late.

H) Grace Period and Rescheduling:

If you are waiting for a team to finish their game, the grace period does not start until the conclusion of their match. In the event a team is taking an excessive amount of time to finish their match, the team waiting could request a reschedule from the league if players in the match are unable to stay. The situation will be assessed and ruled on based on how much time has passed and if you can show supporting evidence that your own team is ready to start. The league will try to find you TC/ECU first before permitting the reschedule.

I) Mercy Rule:

A mercy rule is enforced once a team has completed the second period and is down by seven or more goals. While teams are not obligated to enforce this rule, any player from the losing team, at any time these criteria are fully met, may exit the game without facing any penalties. If the game concludes early due to the mercy rule, all stats will be recorded and counted as a fully played game. No forfeits will be issued in such cases. Failing to wait for the mercy rule before exiting will result in a suspension.

J) Suspensions for Early Exit:

Players who exit the game before the permitted time may face suspensions ranging from 1 to 3 games, depending on the severity of the situation. The league will conduct a thorough review before determining the appropriate suspension length. In playoff scenarios, suspensions will range from 1 to 2 games based on the severity of the situation after league review.

If a suspension is imposed after the review, it will be applied at the conclusion of the night. This allows teams to be aware of potential player unavailability, reducing the risk of forfeits on top of suspensions.