NWHL

B & B Committee (Balanced Ice Time/Blowouts)

New in 2009, the NWHL has formed the B & B Committee that will address issues with teams in violation of the Balanced Ice Time (BIT) or lopsided scores (Blowouts). The B&B Committee will consist of 3 members, 2 of the members will rotate each year.

BALANCED ICE TIME (BIT.): When the BIT complaint is filed, it will go to the B&B Committee. The committee will involve the representatives of the clubs to investigate and report back their findings. The BIT email can only be submitted by a coach, NWHL rep or board member. Current penalties to those found in violation of BIT remain the same. All teams are to adhere to a balance ice time policy for games play as outlined below.

There are four defined points to BIT.
~No power play lines
~No penalty kill lines
~Even line rotation throughout the entire game
~BIT for goalies will be based on alternating full games, alternating periods or equal periods per number of goalies.
Player receiving 3 penalties during a game should be sat to avoid the possibility of the 5 penalty rule.

All coaches will sign a BIT Compliance form at the September coaches meeting. Coaches will also need to show their current coaching card at the meeting.

Enforcement of BIT: If after a formal investigation, the B&B Committee determines that there was a violation of BIT, the following suspensions will be issued to the head coach.

~First Offense - 2 game suspension
~Second Offense - 4 game suspension
~Third Offense - suspended for the remainder of the season including the NWHL tournament.

The Blowout portion of the committee will investigate if the goal differential in a game is greater than 8 for games at the squirt through midget level. If found valid, the following penalties apply:

~1st time, warning to coach
~2nd time, a one game suspension for the head coach on the bench at the time of the violation

For more info: Bob Veller