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Rule 88  Throwing Stick

  1. When any member of the defending Team, including any Manager, Coach or Trainer, throws or shoots any part of a stick or any other object at the puck or puck carrier in his defending zone, the Referee shall:
    1. Award a penalty shot if the stick or other object is thrown or shot at the puck or the puck carrier in the defending zone, preventing a reasonable shot or pass.

      This shot shall be taken by the player designated by the Referee as the player fouled.

    2. Assess a minor penalty for interference if the stick or other object is thrown or shot at the puck or the puck carrier in the defending zone, but does not interfere in any manner with the puck or the puck carrier.
    3. Not assess a penalty if the stick or other object is thrown or shot away from the area of play (moved out of the traffic area) and in no way interferes with the play.

    If, when the opposing goalkeeper has been removed, a member of the defending Team, including any Manager, Coach or Trainer, throws or shoots any part of a stick or any other object at the puck or puck carrier, thereby preventing the puck carrier from having a clear shot on an "open net", a goal shall be awarded to the attacking side.

    (NOTE 1) If the Officials are unable to determine the person against whom the offense was made, the offended Team, through the Captain, shall designate a player on the ice at the time the offense was committed to take the shot.

    (NOTE 2) For the purpose of this Rule, an "open net" is defined as one from which a goalkeeper has been removed for an additional attacking player.

  2. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player on the ice who throws his stick or any part thereof or any other object in the direction of the puck in any zone, except when such act has been penalized by the assessment of a penalty shot or the award of a goal.

    (NOTE) When the player discards the broken portion of a stick by tossing it to the side of the ice (and not over the boards) in such a way as will not interfere with play or opposing player, no penalty will be imposed for so doing.

  3. A misconduct or game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on a player who throws his stick or any part thereof outside the playing area. If the offense is committed in protest of an Official's decision, a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct plus a game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to the offending player.
  4. If a player attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent by throwing a stick or any other object at an opposing player, Coach, Manager or Trainer, he shall be assessed a match penalty under Rule 43 -- Attempt to or Deliberate Injury of Opponents.
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