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

Moment: Hillock Goal Sends Sault to Final

April 8, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Sault Ste. Marie sent 54 shots at Flint Powers Catholic’s net during their Division 3 Semifinal on March 8, 2013, compared to 21 shots on goal by the Chargers.

But only when Eric Hillock fired through his second goal in double overtime did the Blue Devils gain a final edge 4-3 to advance to the championship game.

“We felt like we were out-working them for most of the game but we just couldn’t seem to bury it,” Hillock said that day to the Flint Journal. “(The game-winning goal) was just a result of a great pass out of the corner and I was able to put it on net and get the win.”

Click for coverage from the Flint Journal – Flint Powers drops double-overtime loss to Sault Ste. Marie in Division 3 hockey semifinals – and see below for Hillock’s winner with coverage from the NFHS Network.