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Rules of Play

Rules of Play

OSHL RULES
The Ohio Scholastic Hockey League (OSHL) formally known as the Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League follows the Ohio Scholastic Hockey League Bylaws, Policies and the USA Hockey Official Rules of Ice Hockey for all regular season and Blue Jacket Cup games.

When participating in games against Ohio High School Athletic Assocition (OHSAA) sanctioned teams, we adopt the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Ice Hockey Case and Rules Book and the OHSAA Boys Ice Hockey regulations.
 
All OSHL players, coaches and officials are required to read, sign and abide by the OSHL Code of Conduct before participating in any OSHL or team on ice events.

All players and coaches must be USA Hockey registered with their OSHL team, and all coaches must be USA Hockey CEP level 3 or level 4 certified to participate in any OSHL or team on ice events. (To complete all registration and certifications visit our forms/documents page).

Players who are also registered and playing for a AAA Tier 1 organization cannot participate in the OSHL.

PLAYING TIME 
OSHL Varsity regular season games consist of three 17 minute periods. OSHL Junior Varsity regular season games consist of three 15 minute periods. Regular season games will end in a tie if the score is even after three periods. All Blue Jacket Cup games consist of three 17 minute periods for Varsity and three 15 minute periods for Junior Varsity, followed by two five minute periods of sudden death overtime if the score remains even after three periods, followed by a best of 5 round penalty shot shootout if the score remains even after the two sudden death overtime periods, followed by a sudden death penalty shot shootout if the score remains even after the 5 round penalty shot shootout until a winner is decided.

OFFICIALS 
The OSHL uses level 3 and level 4 certified USA Hockey on-ice officials. OSHL game on-ice officials are scheduled through the Central Ohio Youth Ice Hockey Officials Association (COYIHOA) and the Athens Ice Hockey Referees Association (AIHRA).

All off-ice officials (scorekeepers, scoreboard operator, penalty box operator, etc.) are volunteer positions. All off-ice officials are to remain impartial and not confer with the players, or coaches during games and are to work in cooperation with the on-ice officials. The on-ice official may dismiss any off-ice official at any time under their discretion.