Coaches and players in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) don’t expect to see the physical style of their new league continue at the Women’s World Hockey Championship.
The LPHF rule book, published on 1er January, as well as that of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for 2023-2024 contain identical language regarding body checking in women’s hockey, but as for National Hockey League players going to the Men’s World Championship , an adjustment is to be expected.
“The refereeing is definitely going to be different I think,” said Canadian forward Brianne Jenner, who plays for the Ottawa team in the LPHF. There will probably be more contact between players that will be called, that’s for sure. »
Canada begins its tournament Thursday evening against Finland. The Canadian team will then face Switzerland on Friday afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center.
A “body check” was previously a minor penalty in international women’s hockey. Now the term used is “illegal checking”. In its first season, the LPHF allowed a lot of leeway when it came to full body checks.
“No one is out there trying to destroy others at center ice,” said Canadian and Toronto forward Sarah Nurse. It’s a tough league, and I think it’s prepared us for the level of competition we need. We may have to hold back a little, but I don’t expect much difference. »
The Swedish Women’s Ice Hockey Championship has introduced body checking for the 2022-2023 season. Nearly 90 players present at the 2024 Women’s Hockey World Championship, played in Utica in New York State, play in this league or in the LPHF.
“The reality is that in our sport, all decisions are a bit discretionary, right? It’s based on what people see and what comes out of it, said the head coach of the Czech Republic and the Ottawa team, Carla MacLeod. I think we’re going to learn pretty quickly here. »
“Play the puck”
Refereeing at the IIHF level tends to be stricter, both on the men’s and women’s side, when it comes to body checking.
The head coach of Team Toronto and Team Canada, Troy Ryan, mentioned that the refereeing will not be the same as in the LPHF.
“An LPHF athlete who is going to the world championship will ask herself the first question if the game is refereed in the same way as in the LPHF,” said the Canadian. The answer is obviously no. »
The president of the Women’s World Hockey Championship, Poland’s Marta Zawadzka, said that all teams were contacted a month before the start of the competition and obtained video examples of the refereeing standards to be considered.
“The message is to play the puck,” she said. As long as your main goal is to play the puck, and not the opponent, this is the greatest interpretation. »
LPHF and IIHF regulations state that checking is permitted when there is “a clear intention to play the puck, or attempt to gain possession.”
As long as two opponents are chasing the puck, they can “reasonably” push and lean against each other. However, they cannot use the boards to immobilize the opponent, push them or eliminate them from pursuing the puck.
“I think it’s going to be closer hockey,” said Boston team forward Hilary Knight. There should be a little more room to skate with the puck. I think everyone is going to have to adjust. »