AHL Updates some rules to NHL standards

TheAHL.com
2008-09 Rules Changes The American Hockey League has implemented the following rules changes for the 2008-09 season:

Playing rosters during the regular season have been increased to a maximum of 18 skaters and two goaltenders (up from 17 and two).

At the request of NHL general managers, the AHL has implemented one-minute minor penalties during overtime in the regular season. Carry-over time on minor penalties from the third period will be halved.

In order to bring the AHL rule book closer in line to the NHL's, the AHL Board approved the following:

Rule 60.3 ("High-Sticking") now calls for a double-minor penalty (rather than a major) in the event of a high-sticking infraction that causes injury, whether accidental or careless, in the opinion of the referee.

Rule 63.2 ("Delaying the Game") now calls for an automatic minor penalty when any player or goalkeeper, while in his defending zone, shoots the puck directly out of the playing surface, except where there is no glass.

A change to Rule 81.1 ("Icing") states that "Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player."

A change to Rule 85.5 ("Face-Off Location") provides that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent face-off will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.

TV and promotional timeouts will not be permitted immediately following an icing violation.