World Cham­pi­onship 2023: Rules of the game – Linesman David Nothegger in inter­view

First of all: there are no major changes to the rules. “Nothing has changed here compared to last year,” said Nothegger. Anyone wishing to read up on them in more detail can find HERE the IIHF’s official rulebook.

Much more important in this context: what is being given particular attention? David Nothegger: “We had many meetings beforehand and have been in Riga since Monday, where intensive training sessions have been held over the past few days to bring all the officials to a uniform standard. Video review was a major topic, but general rule matters were also discussed. It is important that, even as a linesman, you think along and keep an eye on goal situations and penalties. In critical situations, or if something has been missed, the decision is made together. We have to ensure that everything is fair and safe.”

With regard to video review, the Austrian official adds that there are ten goal situations during a game in which the officials themselves can request a video review, and three in each case which the coaches can challenge. These are: missed offside, missed stoppage in the offensive zone and goalkeeper interference. In addition, officials can review major penalties that have been called on video and either confirm or reduce them.

“We also have another video referee in the stands who likewise has the opportunity to intervene,” adds David Nothegger.

The World Championship 2023, where he will initially take to the ice in Riga, represents the biggest career highlight to date for the linesman: “It is something special and an honour. Not only because I was selected by the Austrian group of officials, but also by the international federation. It is an award and recognition for the work of recent years. It is always cool to get to know colleagues from other leagues and countries, work with the best officials in the world and be part of it.”

Nothegger’s working day does not only begin with the game and end with the final buzzer. Within the group of officials, with the support of four officials coaches and four video coaches, examples are constantly exchanged and discussed in depth, while they also undertake intensive video study of the games they have officiated. During the intermissions and after the game, individual incidents are revisited and discussed. “What was good, what was bad – we look at that closely after the game,” said David Nothegger.

Over the course of the tournament, the 32-year-old will also move to Tampere. All officials at the tournament will therefore be deployed at both venues.

It gets under way tomorrow, Friday, with Finland opening the tournament against the USA in Tampere, while Slovakia and the Czech Republic meet simultaneously in Riga.

Austria begin their tournament against France on Saturday, with all Austria games LIVE on ORF 1 and ORF SPORT +.

86TH IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

12 May 2023 - 28 May 2023, Tampere (FIN) and Riga (LAT)
Group A, Tampere: Finland, USA, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, France, Austria, Hungary
Group B, Riga: Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway, Kazakhstan, Slovenia

Schedule
Dates and times are given in our local time zone, with the local time shown in brackets.

France vs. Austria
Sat., 13 May 2023, 11:20 (12:20 local time)
LIVE on ORF1 (highlights on 18 May at 22:00 on ORF SPORT +)

Sweden vs. Austria
Sun., 14 May 2023, 19:20 (20:20 local time)
LIVE on ORF SPORT +

Denmark vs. Austria
Tue., 16 May 2023, 15:20 (16:20 local time)
LIVE on ORF1 (highlights at 23:15 on ORF SPORT +)

USA vs. Austria
Wed., 17 May 2023, 15:20 (16:20 local time)
LIVE on ORF1 (highlights at 22:00 on ORF SPORT +)

Austria vs. Germany
Fri., 19 May 2023, 19:20 (20:20 local time)
LIVE on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs. Finland
Sat., 20 May 2023, 15:20 (16:20 local time)
LIVE on ORF1 (highlights at 22:15 on ORF SPORT +)

Austria vs. Hungary
Mon, 22 May 2023, 19:20 (20:20)
LIVE on ORF SPORT +

All information and the full schedule can be found at www.iihf.com