They never have. Its an agreement between 2 teams to play a game, effectively nothing to do with the elite. Roster restrictions were also ignored and in the case of the Belfast game we played CHL rules.
The league can't really arbitrate on games that they aren't anything to do with.
Agreed, however we're in murky waters with liability insurance, health coverage for officials, etc. It's independently scheduled for sure, but you could make the case it's officially 'sanctioned', even if the rules are, erm, 'fluid'.
Old school me wants it sorted on the ice for sure, but I also wouldn't want any player getting the bad outcome Marshy had after a team or a player has issued intent.
As ever, SNAFU League shizzle