Specifications for league game timing and length of periods may be found in the Bytown Minor Hockey League Guidelines of Operation .

LENGTH OF GAMES
Fifty minutes (50) are allocated for each game. Teams and officials must be ready to take to the ice immediately after the Ice Attendant has closed the Zamboni entrance doors and it is safe to proceed on the ice.

NOVICE THROUGH BANTAM DIVISIONS
The 50 minute period is to be organized as follows:

• a 2-minute warm-up (to start promptly at the scheduled game time)
• three 11 minute STOP TIME periods (Exception: The Novice “C” Division – see below for clarification.)
• the timekeeper is to sound the horn to end the game at the expiry of the clock in the third period, no matter the on ice situation.

MIDGET DIVISIONS
The 50 minute period is to be organized as follows:

• a 2-minute warm-up (to start promptly at the scheduled game time)
• the customary handshake shall take place prior to the commencement of the game
• three 11 minute STOP TIME periods
• the timekeeper shall sound the horn to end the game at the expiry of the clock in the third period, no matter the on-ice situation.

NOVICE C DIVISION
As Novice C players are generally first-year players, and have included seven-year olds since the 2004-2005 playing season, the following rules will be observed in NOVICE C only:

• The first SIX scheduled games will be ‘controlled scrimmages,’ with one coach from each team acting as referee(s) on-ice, properly attired (i.e. wearing a helmet), and stopping play as necessary for explanations (Note: no BMHL assigned referees for the scrimmages);
• A 3-minute buzzer system will be used throughout the SIX scrimmages, using three 15 minute running time periods;
• Teams shall make a complete line change at the sound of the buzzer during the period and at the beginning of the second and third periods;
• Teams may not have a player on the ice for two consecutive shifts unless there are not enough substitutes to enable a full rotation and that all players are equally used in such double-shifts;
• Coaches must achieve fairness in playing time for each player;
• Subsequent to the first SIX scheduled scrimmages, the Novice C level will play the remaining regular season games, timed and officiated as per any other level (i.e. no 3-minute buzzer, three 11 minute stop time periods).
• One coach from each team can remain on the ice for the first TWO games of the remaining regular game season to assist in to shift changes without the buzzer.
• The final games of the regular season will be played without coaches on the ice during the games; and
• For Regular Season Standings, only games after the first SIX games shall count.