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AHL announces several rules changes for 2004-05

July 5, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cincinnati RailRaiders News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The American Hockey League Board of Governors has approved, following an independent and thorough evaluation, a number of rule changes aimed at increasing the flow of the game and generating additional offensive opportunities. The changes were approved at the AHL's announal meeting on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina last week.

Among the rule changes adopted are instituting no-touch icing and tag-up offsides; increasing the size of the neutral zone by moving the goal line and widening the blue lines and center red line; and restricting the maximum width of the goaltenders' pads.

The annual meeting also resulted in the following announcements:

The AHL has implemented a shootout to decide regular-season games which are tied after a five-minute overtime period. In the AHL standings, teams will receive two points for a win, one point for a loss in overtime or in a shootout and zero points for a loss in regulation time.

The AHL has reduced the number of qualifying teams for the Calder Cup 2005 playoffs to 16 (down from 20). The format will still feature a divisional playoff, leading to conference finals and ultimately the Calder Cup final. The top four teams from each division will qualify for the postseason and all rounds will feature best-of-seven series.

The Board has approved the relocation of the inactive franchise owned by Howard Baldwin from Louisville, Kentucky to Des Moines, Iowa, to begin play in 2005-06.

The Board approved the transfer of the ownership of the Norfolk Admirals from Mark Garcea and Page Johnson to a group led by the Norfolk Tides Baseball Club and its president, Ken Young.

The Board approved the transfer of controlling interest in the Hamilton Bulldogs to Hamilton businessman Michael Andlauer, who had been a minority owner.

RULE CHANGES:

The AHL Board of Governors has approved the implementation of the following rule changes, effective beginning with the 2004-05 season: In a delayed offside situation, the offending player(s) will be permitted to negate the offside by "tagging up" with the blue line. This rule was in effect from 1986-96 and will enable more flow in the forechecking aspect of the game while reducing the number of stoppages.

"Automatic icing" has been implemented, with icing infractions to be called and the play whistled dead when the puck crosses the goal line.

Goal lines will be moved from 13 feet to 11 feet out from the end boards, and blue lines will be moved back accordingly to maintain a 60-foot attacking zone. This will increase the size of the neutral zone and reduce play behind the goals.

The width of the blue lines and the center red line will be increased from 12 inches to 24 inches each, and passes will be permitted from the defensive edge of one blueline to the offensive edge of the other blue line, adding additional space to the neutral zone.

The maximum width of goaltenders' leg pads will be reduced from 12 inches to 10 inches, creating additional scoring area for shooters.

The AHL will also implement, for the first seven weeks of the 2004-05 regular-season, a limited test of a rule restricting the areas where goaltenders may play the puck. This is a step designed to increase offensive opportunities without wholly eliminating a goaltender's ability to assist his defensemen. Following the completion of the test period, the AHL will evaluate the results and determine whether the rule's application will continue.

"The new rule changes should help make the game more exciting for the fans, especially the addition of the shootout to settle games that remain tied after the five-minute sudden death overtime period," Cincinnati Mighty Ducks president and CEO Pete Robinson said.

The Mighty Ducks will begin their eighth AHL season in October as the top affiliate for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. A variety of season-ticket plans are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mighty Ducks Ticket Sales Department at (513) 351-3999.

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