Ice Hockey vs Ice Hockey — Same Game, Different Rules

Puck: vulcanized rubber, 3" diameter × 1" thick, 5.5-6 oz, frozen pre-game; Stick: max 63" length, blade max 12.5" × 3" (skater); goalie stick 26" max paddle, 15.5" blade; Skates: NCAA-approved figure with secure ankle support and toe cap; goaltenders use specialized goalie skates

Maximum shaft length: 163 cm (64 in) from the heel of the blade to the end of the shaft.; Blade length: 25–32 cm (9.8–12.6 in).; Blade width: 5–7.5 cm (2–3 in).

Overall size: 60 m × 30 m (197 ft × 98.4 ft) for international/Olympic play. The wider surface compared to NHL rinks (200 ft × 85 ft) emphasises skating speed, passing, and positional play over physical forechecking.; Corner radius: 7–8.5 m (23–28 ft).; Boards: Height 1.07–1.22 m (42–48 in) above...

NCAA rink: 200 ft × 85 ft (standard "North American" dimensions; some venues use larger international 200 × 100); Two blue lines defining the offensive/defensive zones; one red center line; Two end-zone faceoff dots in each defensive zone, neutral-zone faceoff dots, center faceoff dot

5 skaters + 1 goaltender per team on the ice during regulation play; Roster: typically 25-28 players for NCAA D1; suit list 20-22 per game; Unlimited line-change substitutions on the fly through the bench area or at stoppages

On-ice: 6 players per team — 5 skaters (typically 3 forwards + 2 defencemen) and 1 goalkeeper.; Roster: Maximum 22 skaters (20 skaters + 2 goalkeepers) dressed for a game. A third goalkeeper may be available but not dressed.; Extra attacker: Teams may pull the goalkeeper for a 6th skater (empty n...

An attacking player may not precede the puck into the attacking zone (beyond the blue line). If an attacking player's skates are in the attacking zone before the puck completely crosses the blue line, offside is called.

Game starts and resumes after stoppages with a faceoff at the appropriate dot. Centers position sticks flat on the ice; the linesperson drops the puck.

Goal: entire puck crosses the goal line between the posts and below the crossbar; Goals are reviewable by NCAA video review for legality (offside, puck in net, kicking motion, hand-pass, distinct kicking motion); Empty-net, shorthanded, power-play, and game-winning goals are recorded for stat pur...

A goal is scored when the entire puck crosses the goal line between the posts and below the crossbar by legal means. The puck may deflect off any player (including an attacking player's skate, provided there is no distinct kicking motion) and still count.

Minor penalty: 2 minutes in the penalty box; team plays short until the penalty expires or the opposing team scores (power play ends on goal for minor); Major penalty: 5 minutes; team plays short for the full 5 minutes regardless of goals scored against; Misconduct: 10 minutes (player only — team...

Two consecutive 2-minute penalties served by the same player. If the opposing team scores during the first 2 minutes, the first penalty is terminated, but the second 2-minute period remains.

Full face protection: Mandatory for all IIHF skaters (cage or full visor). This differs from the NHL, which only requires a visor. Greatly reduces facial and dental injuries.; Neck guard: Mandatory for goalkeepers. Strongly recommended for all skaters following high-profile blade laceration incid...

Mandatory full face mask (NCAA standard); contact-to-the-head zero-tolerance framework; fighting penalty includes mandatory game misconduct + suspension. Concussion protocol: removal + graduated return-to-play assessment.