Professional Inline Hockey Association Minor Division
 | |
| Sport | Inline hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| CEO | Charles Yoder |
| No. of teams | 17 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Pennsylvania Team Blue |
| TV partner(s) | Justin.tv |
| Official website | THEPIHA.com |
The Professional Inline Hockey Association Minor League is an inline hockey league composed of 17 teams in the United States. It was started in 2006 as the minor league affiliate of the Professional Inline Hockey Association.
Game
The PIHA Minor League follows the same set of rules as its parent league, the PIHA. Each Professional Inline Hockey Association regulation game is an inline hockey game played between two teams and is 24 minutes long. The game is composed of two 12-minute halves with a two-minute intermission of between halves. At the end of the 24 minute regulation time, the team with the most goals wins the game. If a game is tied after regulation time, overtime ensues. Overtime is a four-minute, three-player on three-player sudden-death period, in which the first team to score a goal wins the game. If no team scores after one overtime, the second overtime period is a three-minute, two-player on two-player sudden-death period. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the game enters a shootout. One player for each team in turn take a penalty shot. The team with the most goals during the round shootout wins the game. If the game is still tied after the shootout round, the shootout continues, but becomes sudden death. Whichever team ultimately wins the shootout is awarded the goal and awarded two points. The losing team in overtime or shootout is awarded only one. Shootout goals and saves are not tracked in hockey statistics.
Teams
The current league organization divides the teams into two conferences. Most minor league teams are affiliated with Professional Inline Hockey Association teams.
Inline Hockey Rink
Professional Inline Hockey Association games are played on a hockey rink which is rectangular with rounded corners and surrounded by a wall and glass. The center line divides the court in half, which divides the court into two attacking zones. Near the end of both ends of the rink, there is a thin red goal line spanning the width of the court, which is used to judge goals.
Rules
- Main articles: Professional Inline Hockey Association rules
While the Professional Inline Hockey Association follows the general rules of inline hockey, it differs slightly from those used in games organized by USARS, AAU, IIHF, and/or FIRS. It also has slight variations from the game of ice hockey. Infractions of the rules can lead to a stoppage of play or a penalty call for more serious infractions.
The PIHA differs slightly with ice hockey in not having rules such as offsides, icing, or fighting creating a more open style of play.
See also
- Professional Inline Hockey Association
- Index of Professional Sports teams in the United States and Canada