As the final round of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) kicks off tonight between the Saanich Predators and Oceanside Generals, I couldn’t help but be bothered by a rule many of the commentators discuss during broadcasts. But first, what is the VIJHL?
The VIJHL is a Junior “B” ice hockey league in British Columbia, Canada. The league is governed by Hockey Canada and the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association (BCAHA). One of the unique rules in the VIJHL is this “ice time rule” which states that if the home team’s ice time runs out before the end of the game, the home team must forfeit the game. That said, this is how I understand the rule. So If a team or league representative wishes to correct me I would love the feedback!
It looks as though this ice time rule was implemented by the VIJHL in an effort to prevent delays in the game schedule caused by overtime periods or shootouts. The rule is designed to encourage home teams to manage their time effectively, ensuring that games finish on time and allowing for the next game on the schedule to start on schedule.
Under this ice time rule, if the game is tied at the end of regulation time and the home team’s ice time has expired, the game is considered over and the visiting team is awarded the win by forfeit. However, if the home team is leading at the end of regulation time and their ice time runs out before the game is completed, the score at that time is considered final, and the home team is awarded the win. As an aspiring future beer leaguer on Vancouver Island, I cannot imagine forcing a league’s hand like this because…well…its my turn. These athletes and their families invest too much money, time, and effort to force a game to end early. I’ll just stand there with my Sooke Oceanside Brewery bottle in my mitt and enjoy the festivities.
From what I can tell, the ice time rule is unique to the VIJHL, and it has been a controversial rule since its implementation. Some argue that the rule puts an unfair burden on the home team, as it creates a situation where the home team is forced to manage their time effectively, while the visiting team is not held to the same standard. Others argue that the rule is necessary to keep the game schedule on track and prevent delays caused by overtime periods or shootouts.
Despite the controversy surrounding the ice time rule, it remains in place in the VIJHL. The league believes that the rule is an important part of the game and helps to keep the schedule on track, ensuring that all teams have an equal opportunity to play their games on time. In my opinion, if you force a junior team off the ice and cause a team to lose critical points, the hockey gods will find a way to enact their revenge. Fear the hockey gods.
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Author: CD, Host, Pigeonhole Hockey Podcast
