Ice hockey: New rule bans vicious head shots from the ice

NEW YORK - A temporary rule banning hits to the head against unsuspecting players was accepted in a vote by the NHL Players' Union executive board yesterday.

The decision took effect immediately.

"We believe this is the right thing to do for the game and for the safety of our players," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

"The elimination of these types of hits should significantly reduce the number of injuries, including concussions, without adversely affecting the level of physicality in the game."

The rule prohibits "lateral, back-pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact".

The league will have the power to review such hits and apply further discipline. The NHL board of governors and the union's representatives on the competition committee had already approved the ban this week.

The rule was in effect through this year's playoffs. The competition committee is expected to meet during the summer to create a permanent rule that will include an on-ice penalty instead of solely punishment after the fact.

Florida forward David Booth missed 45 games this season after getting hit by Philadelphia captain Mike Richards - a play that was legal at the time but will no longer be allowed under the new system.

An unpunished blindside hit by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke against Boston's Marc Savard on March 7 also increased pressure to enact a new rule.

Savard sustained a concussion that will likely sideline him for at least the rest of the regular season.

- AP