Rule 10.8 – Refusing to Start Play

A team is “refusing to start play” when:

They are withdrawn from the ice and/or refuse to place the correct number of players on the ice, after being clearly warned by the Referee that such an action is no longer Delay of Game but rather Refusing to Start Play.
A player or team official refuses to leave the bench or playing area, after they have been assessed a Game Ejection, Game Misconduct penalty, Gross Misconduct or Match penalty.

At such a time, the team will be issued a two-minute warning by the Referee. The two-minute warning should be announced on the public address system, if available, and the two minutes should be placed on the clock.

If the team does not return to the ice, two minutes after being ordered to do so, the game or series will be suspended. The Referee will report full details of the incident to the appropriate Member or league.

If a team is Refusing to Start Play a second time in the same game, the two-minute warning will not be given and the game or series will be immediately suspended. The Referee will report full details of the incident to the appropriate Member or league.

No Minor penalty may be assessed for Refusing to Start Play. However, officials are encouraged to recognize the potential for such situations and whenever possible utilize a warning, followed by a minor penalty under Rule 10.1 (vii) – Delay of Game before applying the guidelines of this rule.
A Major penalty and Game Misconduct will be assessed to the Coach of a team who returns, after they ordered to do so but before the conclusion of the two minutes.

If this action occurs in the last two minutes of regular playing time, or any time in overtime, then a Penalty Shot will also be awarded to the non-offending team.
No Match penalty may be assessed for Refusing to Start Play.
No Misconduct penalty may be assessed for Refusing to Start Play.
A Game Misconduct penalty must be assessed any time a Major penalty is assessed for Refusing to Start Play, as detailed in 10.8 (b).