Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hi Kerry, Between overtime and the shootout of the Coyotes/Sharks game on Nov. 22, Antoine Vermette of the Coyotes came out on the ice and dragged his skate a long way across the ice through the faceoff circle to the right of Devan Dubnyk during the shootout. This pulled up a pile of snow that he then spread around on the ice. I dont know if he was trying to create a groove in the ice that would affect the Sharks skating and shots during the shootout or if he was smoothing a rough spot to make things more predictable for his goalie during the shootout. He was the only player from either team on the ice at that point and the officials were huddled at centre ice seemingly unaware of what he was doing. Are players allowed to make deliberate modifications to the ice surface like this during a game? Chris Finan Chris: November 22 was the first night a new edict was put in place to dispense with the dry scrape of the entire ice surface prior to overtime. The change in procedure resulted from the momentum killing time delay once the Zamboni machines were utilized to dry scrape the entire ice. Instead, a typical shovel scrape is now implemented to remove excess snow from around the boards, the goal crease area and other areas of the ice. Teams still change ends during the overtime resulting in the long change but then revert back for the goalies to defend the net closest to their players bench. There is a policy to be enforced by the officials requiring that players are to remain at or in the immediate vicinity of their players bench prior to overtime and the shootout. The linesmen stand between the two benches and are primarily responsible for the enforcement of this policy. A player can be given permission to venture from the bench area in order to test an injury or a skate that might be defective or in need of sharpening. The purpose of this policy included the ability for the officials to keep potential player hostilities in check when necessary, provide for better optics during the brief rest period and to keep players on the bench that might decide to utilize the ice for a warm-up, thereby maintaining the integrity of the ice. In the early implementation of overtime, players that received minimal playing time would sometimes come onto the ice to stretch their legs and do a mini warm-up. Once a player or two from one time took to the ice their opponents followed suit. The worst offender was big Derek Boogaard, who came onto the ice from his players bench during this break period and performed multiple hard, tight turns in the neutral and end zone. Deep ruts in the ice resulted as Derek utilized his heavy frame to grind his skates hard through each turn. Aside from the integrity of the ice that was compromised, the potential for player hostilities was ever present as you might expect. The officials filed reports of the incidents and the current policy was sent out in a directive to the teams and the officials. I know Antoine Vermette to be a very classy player to deal with. Hes not the kind of player the officials typically have a problem with. That being said, even if Vermette noticed a need for ice repair or that some snow had built up in the zone the Sharks had previously occupied and would now be defended Devan Dubnyk, its not the players responsibility to alter the ice. This is especially true if snow was dragged into his opponents shooting or approach lane. The linesmen should affect any necessary repairs and keep a close eye on any player that strays from the immediate vicinity of his players bench. Since footage is not available to the contrary, perhaps the linesmen did remove any excess snow that was moved by Vermette but we will have to rely on your account of the incident Chris. A minor penalty can be called against a goalkeeper for deliberately piling snow in his crease. When a referee detects an unreasonable amount of snow piled he will ask the goalie to remove it to avoid a minor penalty. There are times the referee will take it upon himself to remove excessive snow, usually located at the goal post area. He should first ask the goalkeepers permission since some are very superstitious and temperamental when anything is disturbed in the vicinity of their net. Hall of Fame goaltender Eddie Belfour was the most difficult to deal with in this regard. The Eagle would become quite hostile if a ref touched his water bottle (attempting to place it back in the sleeve/holder) or cleared snow from the post area. Prior to the shootout, both referees Kelly Sutherland and Dan OHalloran can be seen having a friendly discussion with Shane Doan and Logan Couture near the penalty box area. Once the shootout got underway there wasnt one Sharks player that lost or even mishandled the puck through the approach and shot. The only player to mishandle the puck was Mikkel Boedker of the Coyotes and that appeared to a result of his feet moving faster than his hands and not due to a lack of ice integrity. You do bring up a good point though Chris, now that the dry scrape is no longer in effect. The Officials, especially the linesmen, will have to remain diligent in keeping players close the bench and make sure that if any repairs or alterations to the ice are required they are completed by the building ice crew or the linesmen themselves. Gale Sayers Jersey . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. 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