Spongee

"Spongee" or Sponge Hockey is a cult sport played almost exclusively in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada by thousands of players in dozens of leagues. It gets its name from the puck that is used: instead of the hard vulcanized rubber puck that is used in regular hockey, a soft sponge puck is used.

Origins

There are disputes about the origin of the game, but it is generally thought to have arisen amongst teenagers who played pick-up games on outdoor rinks near schools when it was often too cold for hockey, both because hockey equipment wasn't warm enough and because the ice became too hard for skates' blades to get good purchase in temperatures that regularly reach -30 C in January.

A controversy in one of the leagues was the subject of a humorous, but true documentary, "Spongee: Checks Lies and Videotape." which aired on the CBC's flagship Sports program, Hockey Day in Canada, in February 2004.

Differences from Ice Hockey

Equipment

It is generally played on outdoor rinks and differs from Ice Hockey in a number of significant ways, the most important and obvious being that instead of skates, players wear soft-soled shoes, also called Broomball shoes. Players generally do not wear helmets or padding, except for goalies.

Gameplay

Wearing slippery footwear on ice means that game play and strategy and skills are also different than those required in hockey. Players say that the game is much more like a mix between soccer, basketball and ice hockey.

A non-contact sport

One of the original leagues was the Robertson League, named after its founder, John Robertson, who adapted Spongee hockey and made sure that there is no contact involved. In spongee hockey, icing occurs only the last three minutes of the game unless the winning team is shorthanded

Team Composition

Each team can have a maximum of six people playing at a time. You can play in multiples of six, five, four, three or two.If there are six players against each other, seven are allowed on the ice, having one the goalie. If there is a limited amount of players on a certain team, one player must become the goalie.

Equipment and Uniforms used

Hockey sticks must be safe and can only be used if said so by the referee. No spikes or tacks on the bottom of shoes, only soft-soled rubber shoes are allowed. Goalies are allowed to wear anything necessary when playing their position. Helmets, masks and protective eye wear are recommended. Each team must have the same color uniform with a number written on the back that is visible. The captain must have the letter "C" on front of their jersey. There is only allowed one alternate and he/she has to be identified by the letter "A" on their jersey.

Rules

Only the captain and alternate may talk to the referee while the game is in session for any clarifications.The goalie must stay in their area, they are not allowed to go past the center. There is absolutely no body checking or any form of physical contact allowed. A warning will be issued if a player has their hockey stick above waist level. Any misuse of the stick including slashing and hooking will not be tolerated.

Penalties

A double minor penalty is a result of six minutes, a minor penalty is a result of three minutes, a major penalty is also six minutes plus a free shot for the other team. Players may not go back and play on the ice unless they served their penalty fully.

Penalty Shot

If one of the players receives three penalties, he/she will be taken out of the game. If a team receives seven penalties it results in a penalty shot for the opposing team. The player who was on the ice while the penalty was taking place will be able to take this shot.

The key

The key is a 20' by 20' marked box in front of the net. A player may not stand in the opposition's key for longer than three seconds. Violations of the key are not called if the puck is in the key, if the offensive team does not have control of the puck, or if the puck is on the opposite side of center.

End Result

If the score is tied at the end of the game, they will have a five minute sudden victory. If the winner is still not determined there will be a shoot out. The first shooters must be different and will participate until a winner is determined. If a winner is still not determined, a one for one shoot out occurs. This means that after the first team shoots, the other team has to match it, or they will automatically lose.

References:

[http://www.spongehockey.com/] [http://www.canfordsports.ca/pdf/sponge%20hockey%20rules.pdf] [http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hdic2004/video/] [http://www.ilos.net/~kjdixon/spongee.htm] [http://www.manitobaballhockey.com/mbha/spongee/index.html] Spongee: Checks Lies and Videotape Part 1: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPL-E6REz14] Spongee: Checks Lies and Videotape Part 1: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNjFd1Aqq2U]