National federation strengthens checking-from-behind rules

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Ice Hockey Rules Committee announced changes Monday that will strengthen the language for checking from behind.

Players who push, charge, cross-check or body-check an opponent from behind in open ice will draw a minor and misconduct penalty. Players who deliver those hits from behind into the boards or goal frame will draw a flagrant violation and receive a game disqualification.

Dan Schuster, NFHS staff liaison to the hockey rules committee, said player safety was the main factor in the rules change.

"Because of the attention being given to dangerous play, the committee really took a hard look at the severity of injuries caused by these hits," he said. "The reason behind the rule is more about addressing a change of culture in high school hockey, and players, coaches, officials and fans need to understand the consequences of these hits."

Benilde-St. Margaret's sophomore Jack Jablonski was paralyzed by a check from behind into the boards during a junior varsity game in December. In the wake of his injury, the Minnesota State High School League made penalties for head contact, boarding and checking from behind five-minute majors.

DAVID LA VAQUE

Noon exhibition for Lynx The Lynx will play Chicago at noon Tuesday at the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion in their final exhibition game. Guard Lindsay Whalen played on that court for the first 1 1/2 seasons of her college career before the Gophers moved to Williams Arena.

This will probably be the last game for two Lynx rookies, guard Julie Wojta of Wisconsin-Green Bay and forward Queralt Casas of Spain. Both are longshots to make the team. The WNBA champions have to cut their 13-player roster to 11 before their opener against Phoenix on Sunday at Target Center.

Gophers draw Florida St. The Minnesota men's basketball team will play at ACC tournament champion Florida State in this fall's 14th annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

It will the Gophers' fourth meeting with the Seminoles, who went 25-10 last season, including 12-4 in the ACC before winning the conference tournament for the first time.

Other highlights of the challenge include North Carolina at Indiana, North Carolina State at Michigan and Ohio State at Duke.

Central Region honors Concordia (St. Paul) third baseman Bryan Lippincott was selected as the 2012 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Central Region Player of the Year on Monday. Augustana (S.D.) righthander Derek Hansen was region Pitcher of the Year and Minnesota State Mankato's Matt Magers was Coach of the Year.