Body contact is a feature of the girls' game. Intentional body checking is not. Body checking occurs when a defensive player's objective is to gain possession of the puck by separating the puck carrier from the puck with a body check. Body contact which occurs when players are attempting to play the puck is permissible regardless of the degree of the contact or any size or skill differential between the players. Intent to separate the puck carrier from the puck with a body check is the primary differentiating factor between allowable body contact and illegal body checking.
Body contact occurring during the following scenarios are all examples of permissible body contact:
•The defensive player establishing a position along the boards such that the puck carrier runs out of the room (angling).
•When opposing players, in an attempt to play the puck have established body position and a lane to the puck, and collide upon reaching the puck.
•A defensive player, while skating in the same direction as the puck carrier, legally holds a position on the ice to block and stop the forward progress of the puck carrier. This is contrary to stepping up and into the puck carrier from the opposite direction, which is an illegal body check.
•When opposing players unintentionally turn into each other as they are skating to different positions on the rink.
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