National Hockey Online League Rules

This page is your information area where you can get all the answers for your questions about the NHOL Versus League & it's rules.
If the answers are not found here you can contact the Commissioner via email at williamv711@gmail.com

 

1. Administration

1.1 NHOL Statement

 

1.2 League Participation

 

1.3 Game Settings

1.3.2 Scratched Players

1.4 Commissioner

2. NHOL Essentials

2.1 GroupMe

 

2.2 Game Broadcast

 

3. Offensive

 

 

4. Defensive

4.1 Penalty Killing

4.1.2 Forechecking PK

4.2 Freezing the Puck

 

4.3 Post-Whistle

 

5. Stats Entry

5.1 Back-Up Goalie Minutes

6. Scheduleing

6.1 Unaccepted

6.1.2 Accepted

6.2 Season 4 Deadlines

7. Disconnections

7.1 Mercy Rule

7.1.2 Calling the Game

7.2 Disconnections

7.2.1 Restarting a Game

7.2.2 Continuing a Game

8. Playoffs

8.1 Season 4 Playoffs

9. Owner's Conduct

9.1 Disagreement Resolution

 

9.2 Quitting a Game

 

9.3 Public Whining or Criticism

 

9.4 Submitting Formal Complaint

9.4.1 Cooling Down

9.4.2 Complaint Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Administration

 

1.1 NHOL Statement

If you have a problem with your opponents game play don't pick a fight with your opponent, explain what he did wrong or needs to change and  move  on.  Please do this in private chat.
This league is not here to show off how you can blow out your opponent.
Its for people to come enjoy the game of hockey win, lose or draw. Some may be better at the game than others so keep that in mind when playing. If your seeing your opponent struggle do not sit there and try to run up a score.


Ease up on them if it looks like the game could get out of hand. Running up the score and excessively celebrating when you have a large lead is not acceptable and shows a lack of class.


Any issues or problems, contact Storm via Groupme or email to explain the situation.

 

 

1.2 League Participation

All owners should play there games in a timely manner and keep up with requested deadlines. Staying active in the league is the key to any online league, If your going to be away for awhile on vacation, family emergencies, or can't make a deadline please notify Storm via GROUPME, Email. or Text message.

 

1.3 Game Settings

Difficulty: All Star

Period Length : 4 Minutes

Fighting: On

Penalties: On

Injuries: On

Offsides: Delayed

Icing: Hybrid

Tie Break: Continuous OT

Goalie Mode : Off

 

1.3.2 Scratched Players

Scratched Players are not allowed in NHOL League play. This is due to the fact that 80% or more of the time they are used in a game the dreaded Face-Off Glitch will appear because the online roster does not match. Again DO NOT use Scratched Players!

 

1.4 Commissioner

 

GROUPME NAME EMAIL TEXT#
Storm Williamv711@gmail.com  708-417-5494

 

2. NHOL Essentials

2.1 GroupMe

You must have the GROUPME app installed on your phone, tablet, or computer.
We have a chat room  set up where you can contact league members to play games.

This is the preferred way to contact your opponent along with email and/or text message.

 

2.2 Game Broadcast

To aid the NHOL Community & in case there are any infractions during the game, we ask that you broadcast your gameplay from either Twitch or YouTube. If you need assistance in setting up an account to broadcast, please contact a staff member. They would be happy to guide you through the process. If we have no video evidence of a complaint it becomes an argument of one owners word against anothers.

 

 

3. Offensive Gameplay

There are many ways to score in the NHL game. Utilizing all those available routes is the intended spirit of this rule. Slap shots, wrist shots, one-timers, dekes, point shots...there are a plethora of ways to attack an opponent. Confining yourself to ONLY ONE OR TWO means of attack is not advised. Owners are strongly encouraged to mix up their offensive attack. While mixing up your gameplay is advised, do not be afraid to use what is available.

For example, if the slot remains    open for shots or the crease area is clear for passes, then utilize those options. With regards to mixing up your offense, the responsibility for stopping those plays also lies on the opponents defense. The league's view is that "anything in the game can be stopped" if given the proper attention. Adapt and overcome!

 

 

4. Defensive Gameplay

 

 

For the most part, there are three main defensive plays: the stick lift, the body check, and the poke check. All there are at your disposal to help procure possession of the puck. Knowing when each maneuver is appropriate and having the ability to execute will make you a better defensive hockey player. We encourage that players utilize all three of these methods.

 

Be advised there are risks involved when using each of these defensive plays.

 

Excessive body checking attempts can lead to interference and charging penalties, can take your defender out of position, can also put you in the box for a 5 minute boarding call.

 

The stick lift preseents the risk of slashing or hooking an opponent.

 

Poke checking an attacked may lead to a tripping minor if done at the wrong moment.

 

While each maneuver is crucial to playing sound defense (along with proper positioning), we understand some users may be more comfortable with some than others. It is up to you when and where you employ these defensive tactics.

 

4.1 Penalty Killing

 

The penalty kill forces a team to take a defensive position for two minutes. Let me re-emphasize this: a penalty kill forces a team to take a DEFENSIVE POSITION for two minutes. You are shorthanded, and this is not five-on-five hockey! Shorthanded owners should not be on the attack during these two minutes. The key here is that you understand you are to be in a defensive position for two minutes.
You can attack while on the penalty kill only under the following conditions:
1-If losing at anytime during the game.
2-Any time that the two teams are in OT
 
 

4.1.2 Forechecking on the Penalty Kill

Forechecking or attempting to steal the puck after dumping the puck on the penalty kill will be done AFTER your opponent has had the opportunity to grab the puck in his own zone. If you gain possesion of the puck you still must follow rule 4.1 and you may only proceed with a scoring opportunity if you are losing, or it is tied in OT. You must re-dump the puck if you are leading.

 

4.2 Freezing The Puck

 

Freezing the puck is a term used when the goalie holds the puck after a save to force a faceoff. Currently, it is not mandatory to freeze the puck. However, puck freezing is still an advisable option in certain situations as is strongly encouraged as a whole.

 

4.3 Post-Whistle

 

Owners may not check or hit another play after the play is over unless the post-whistle activities are reciprocated.
In short, if you're the only one hitting after the whistle and the other owner is standing still, don't do it.
If a fight proposal pops on screen, simply decline from accepting.

 

 

5. Stats Entry

100% of all game stats must be entered.
Game stats for NOHL games should be posted on the website immediately after the game by the winning owner.

The link for Team League games is GAME REPORTS

 

To enter the game stats follow this simple step by step process.

 

1 - Enter Score by Period and click the green button "Input Scores"

 

2 - Enter Team Stats for both teams and click the orange button "Enter Team Stats"

 

3 - Enter Scoring Summary and click the purple button "Input Scoring Summary"

 

4 - Enter Goalie Statistics and click the blue button "Enter Visitor and Home Goalie Stats"

 

5 - Enter Game Recap and click the yellow button "Enter Game Recap"

 

Responsibility of "Game Stats" Input

 

The WINNING OWNER must post game stats for both teams immediately at the end of the game.

 

Responsibility of "Game Stats" Input after Disconnection

If the game contained a disconnection, game stats will be entered as an estimate by the winning owner. If an owner is still in the game, there is an option for recording player stats for either team. They are not mandatory, however please be courteous if you are asked to recover stats for another owner.

5.1 Back-Up Goalie Minutes

Back-up goalies must play 240 minutes in the Regular Season. This may be comprised of multiple goaltenders other than the main starter. Failure to reach 240 minutes will result in the benching of the Starter in the playoffs until the Back-up has met the minute requirements.

6. Scheduling

 

Contacting Your Opponent

 

Attempts to contact your opponent will be done via GROUPME, Facebook, PSN messaging or a mic (if applicable) in order to sort out the details on how the game will progress. You may also want to e-mail an owner if you are having trouble reaching them be sure to include Williamv711@gmail.com  in your email.

6.1 Example of Un-Acceptable Scheduling  

 

Coming into GROUPME & posting

 

"<Team> available all day hit me up!"

 

"Anyone for <Team>"

 

"<Team>"

 

"Game anyone"

 

The above do not i repeat do not show the Staff that you are attempting to schedule a game with an opponent.

 

6.1.2 Acceptable Scheduling

 

"@Owner looking for our game(s) i will be on today noon-2pm (timezone) and not again until <day> after 5pm"

Remember if you are having trouble reaching an opponent try sending them an email, read above to find the CC addresses

 

to send acopy to the Staff.

 

6.2 Season 4 Deadlines

Each deadline below will be on the date show @ 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Failure to meet these deadlines without prior consent from the commissioner may result in your removal from the NHOL.

 

Wednesday, March 9th - 4 games played

 

Wednesday, March 16th - 8 games played

 

Wednesday, March 23rd - 12 games played

 

Wednesday, March 30th - 16 games played

 

Wednesday, April 6th - 20 games played

 

Wednesday, April 13th - Regular Season Ends All Games Completed

 

7. Game Disconections

 

7.1 Mercy Rule

When one owner has reached a 5 goal lead, regardless of period, it is now that owners responsibiltiy to take a defenisve posture. That means dumping the puck into the offensive zone and not applying an aggressive forecheck. If the trailing team reduces the lead to 3 goals, the team that is ahead in the game may attack again until a 5 goal lead is restored.

7.1.2 Calling the Game

If the game has turned into a blowout (see Mercy Rule 7.1) or an owner wishes not to continue, the game may be called if both owners are in agreement. If both owners do not agree to call the game, the game MUST be finished.

 

7.2 Disconnections

 

Regardless of whether its an EA server malfunction, the dog tripping over the Ethernet cord at home or a power outage, disconnects are a problem for any league.All owners will almost always be given the benefit of the doubt early on.


Unless any owner flat out says that he quit a game, generally no action will be taken.


However, if disconnections appear more and more frequently, the history will be logged by NHOL Staff and referenced if action must be taken

on an owner.


League veterans will have more slack in terms of disconnections than rookie owners will.

7.2.1 Restarting a Game

A game may be started over from the beginning, however that option is reserved for the team that was leading the game at the point of the disconnection, NOT the team trailing at the time.


If the game is tied, both parties must approve of a restart to the game.

7.2.2 Continuing a Game

If a game needs to be picked up at certain point in the game with the score intact, work with your opponent to help best recreate the scenario in question.

For example, if there is 20 minutes remaining in the game, attempt to restart by playing six or seven minute periods. The key here is working with your opponent and coming to an agreement on how the remaining time should be played out. Ranging from the actions to recreate man advantages, player injuries, and clock management......

EVERY small detail on how the game will restart must be understood by BOTH owners. GroupMe chat logs may be requested by NHOL commissioners if problems do arise.

 

 

8. Playoffs

 

Each season all teams will make the playoffs. The top 6 teams from each conference will automatically make the regular playoffs.

A special wildcard tournament for the remaining 4 spots will take place from all the teams left.
The wild card playoffs will be seeded by record.

 

 

8.1 Season 4 Playoffs

TBD

9. Owner's Behavior & Condcut

 

If you have a problem with your opponents game play don't pick a fight with your opponent, explain what he did wrong or needs to change and  move on. Please do this in private chat.


This league is not here to show off how you can blow out your opponent.


Its for people to come enjoy the game of hockey win, lose or draw. Some may be better at the game than others so keep that in mind when playing. If your seeing your opponent struggle do not sit there and try to run up a score.


Ease up on them if it looks like the game could get out of hand. Running up the score and excessively celebrating when you have a large lead is not acceptable and shows a lack of class.
Any issues or problems, contact the commissioner via Groupme or email to explain the situation.

 

Owners are expected to understand that accidents do happen and a disconnection is not always an intentional action. Be civil when discussing the matter and refrain from calling out an owner for a disconnection.


If owners believe a disconnection was not accidental, they are urged to email Storm.

 

9.1 Resolutions of Disagreements

If clarification is needed or an agreement cannot be reached, consult the Commissioner.

9.2 Quitting a Game

Quitting any NHOL league game is a death sentence.


Barring a vote of confidence from a NHOL Veteran, quitting will result in dismissal from the league.


Too much effort is put into running the league to facilitate owners who cannot accept a loss with dignity.

9.3 Public Whining or Criticism of Opponent

Any displays of whining or criticizing of another owners play or personal attacks will not be tolerated in the main chat room.
This is to create an environment that is conducive to good sportsmanship and mutual respect.


If you feel you need to alert the NHOL front office of an owner's behavior or poor play EMAIL, TEXT, OR PRIVATE MESSAGE.

9.4 Submitting a Formal Complaint Form

While the ultimate goal of the league is to maintain a simulation environment, there may be instances where a particular style or strategy may be considered "unsim" by other owners. In such cases, owners are encouraged to submit a Formal Complaint via email to the Commissioner.

Prior to submitting a complaint it is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED that you do the following:

9.4.1 Cooling Down

Prior to submitting a complaint, give yourself a good amount of time to calm down. In the sometimes highly competitive environment the NHOL can offer, emotions and tempers can run high. This can lead to snap judgments and hasty decisions that mistake solid play with rule-breaking.
In short, before jumping the gun and accusing other owners of poor play, take some time away from the Playstation and computer.

 

9.4.2 Complaint Review

After a formal complaint is submitted to the Commisioner he will review it and use the rules to come to a proper resolution for the problem at hand.

 

 

 


**REMEBER IT IS JUST A GAME HAVE FUN**  
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