San Jose Sharks: Preseason Game Against Anaheim Ducks Reveals Seldom Used Rule

In the preseason, fans look forward to seeing the future of their franchise and determining whether the present superstars have what it takes to get their team to the next level.

Rarely do they learn (or, at least, are reminded of) a new rule.

When delay of game is called, it is frequently because a player flips the puck over the Plexiglas in his own zone.

Sometimes it is called when a goaltender touches the puck outside of the trapezoid.

Seldom is it called when a team comes out of the intermission late.

“I guess it’s in the rulebook,” said Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle, who is entering his 14th NHL season, “but I’ve never seen it.”

Anaheim, the Sharks' opponent on Friday, entered the second period with a two-minute penalty assessed to Bobby Ryan after emerging from the locker room late in the first intermission.

“I was actually on the ice and wondering where they all were at,” said Boyle. “There was 30 second left or something when we came out.”

The Ducks struggled in the first period, giving up two goals on 19 shots while only placing two shots on net.

“You figure from what you saw on the scoring…I don’t think they had the effort their coaching wanted,” said Boyle’s defensive partner, Douglas Murray.

“After the first period…probably their coach wanted to make a point or something.

“I guess he made his point a little too long.”

The rule itself is intuitive: If a team delays the game by showing up late, they are going to receive a delay of game penalty.

It is surprising that in a league full of motormouth coaches who are under immense pressure, more teams do not come out of the locker room after a lengthy tirade.

However, the consequence of losing a player for two minutes to start the period is certainly a deterrent for even the most volatile of coaches.

“I don’t know if I can recall on that,” said Sharks coach Todd McLellan when asked if he had ever seen a team penalized for coming out of the locker room late.

“It was a preseason game,” said Murray. “I don’t think [Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle] would do that when it’s the regular season and there’s points on the line.”

When asked to speculate on why it happened, McLellan deadpanned: “It’s not my job.”

Tom Schreier covers hockey and baseball for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand.

Follow him on Twitter @tschreier3