Be the Referee: Tripping in Ice Hockey

January 10, 2019

This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains another of the most misunderstood rules in high school sports  this one concerning tripping in hockey.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Tripping in Hockey - Listen

Today, we’re in our series of the most misunderstood rules in high schools sports, and we’re going to talk about tripping in ice hockey.

In high school hockey, a player intentionally leaving his or her feet and knocking an opponent down is tripping – even if the puck hits the player leaving his or her feet.

This is different than the professional interpretation and frustrates amateur officials at all levels. A player can dive and legally knock the puck off the opponent’s stick, but if on the follow-through cuts down the opponent – it’s a trip. A dangerous play, pure and simple.

Past editions

January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen

Story in Photos: 2024 Ice Hockey Semifinals

March 8, 2024

PLYMOUTH – The 2023-24 hockey season will conclude Saturday with a pair of championship matchups that followed the final coaches association rankings, and for the second straight season a Division 3 matchup that defies them.

Division 2 will start Saturday’s MHSAA Finals at 11 a.m. with top-ranked Byron Center facing No. 2 Trenton. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood will give the Division 3 Final an unranked contender for the second straight season, as the Cranes face No. 3 East Grand Rapids at 3 p.m. The Division 1 Final will feature top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central vs. No. 2 Brighton for the third straight season, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. to finish the day at Plymouth’s USA Hockey Arena.

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured plenty of action from the Semifinals – all photos below are by John Castine.

Detroit Catholic Central’s Cael Rogowski (8) sends a shot during his team’s Semifinal win over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. Rogowski scored during the second period of the 8-0 victory.

Detroit Catholic Central’s Cael Rogowski (8) sends a shot during his team’s Semifinal win over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. Rogowski scored during the second period of the 8-0 victory.

Brighton’s Cameron Duffany (16) leads a rush up the ice during his team’s overtime 4-3 Semifinal win over Clarkston. He scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the second period.

Brighton’s Cameron Duffany (16) leads a rush up the ice during his team’s overtime 4-3 Semifinal win over Clarkston. He scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the second period.

The Bulldogs’ Lane Petit (22) and Clarkston’s Trey Damian (23) work for position. Petit’s goal gave Brighton a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

The Bulldogs’ Lane Petit (22) and Clarkston’s Trey Damian (23) work for position. Petit’s goal gave Brighton a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

Byron Center’s Collin Storey (22) rockets a shot during his team’s 6-2 Division 2 Semifinal win over Saginaw Heritage. He assisted on the game’s first goal.

Byron Center’s Collin Storey (22) rockets a shot during his team’s 6-2 Division 2 Semifinal win over Saginaw Heritage. He assisted on the game’s first goal.

Kasey Brehm (21) retains control of the puck; he scored a second-period goal.

Kasey Brehm (21) retains control of the puck; he scored a second-period goal.

Trenton’s Liam Summitt (4) considers his options during his team’s 5-0 Division 2 Semifinal win over White Lake Lakeland. Summitt had two assists.

Trenton’s Liam Summitt (4) considers his options during his team’s 5-0 Division 2 Semifinal win over White Lake Lakeland. Summitt had two assists.

The Trojans’ Jayden Jones (15) and Eagles’ Joe Sesi (24) get tangled up. Jones scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the third period.

The Trojans’ Jayden Jones (15) and Eagles’ Joe Sesi (24) get tangled up. Jones scored the game’s first goal and added a second during the third period.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook goalie Garrett Dudlar covers the left side of the goal with a loose puck in front of the crease. Dudlar had 35 saves in the Cranes 5-0 Semifinal win over Houghton.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook goalie Garrett Dudlar covers the left side of the goal with a loose puck in front of the crease. Dudlar had 35 saves in the Cranes 5-0 Semifinal win over Houghton.

Cranes senior Michael Horton (13) and Houghton junior Jace DeForge pursue a loose puck. Horton had a goal and an assist.

Cranes senior Michael Horton (13) and Houghton junior Jace DeForge pursue a loose puck. Horton had a goal and an assist.

East Grand Rapids senior Ian MacKeigan charges toward the puck during his team’s 3-0 win over Traverse Bay Reps as the Pioneers earned their second-straight championship game berth.

East Grand Rapids senior Ian MacKeigan charges toward the puck during his team’s 3-0 win over Traverse Bay Reps as the Pioneers earned their second-straight championship game berth.

Pioneers senior Glenn Green (8) and Bay Reps senior Larson Millar work to gain possession.

Pioneers senior Glenn Green (8) and Bay Reps senior Larson Millar work to gain possession.

TOP PHOTO Detroit Catholic Central’s Joshua Granowicz (14) and Muskegon Reeths-Puffer’s Eli Cuti (17) await a faceoff during their Division 1 Semifinal on March 8 at USA Hockey Arena.