Whl Revises Rules To Conform

Overtime will be five minutes shorter in the Western Hockey League next season.

Owners approved the change from 10-minute sudden-death to five minutes to conform to the NHL rule for breaking ties, Spokane Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said Tuesday.

WHL owners also adopted the NHL’s off-sides rule.

The board of governors also agreed that kicking the puck shall be permitted in all zones, but a goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion.

A goal can’t be scored by an attacking player who kicks a puck that deflects into the net off any player, goaltender or official. A puck that deflects into the net off an attacker who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a goal.

The league at its July 16 meeting is expected to adopt an interlocking schedule in which every team meets at least once home and away.

The Chiefs expect to have three players named in Saturday’s NHL draft. Defenseman Brad Ference is projected to go early in the first round.

, DataTimes