Ice Hockey Penalties Explained
The rules of hockey allow for many different types of penalties. Of course, any game that has blood in the rule book will probably require the intervention of the referees on a regular basis.
Penalties come in a variety of categories. There are both minor and major penalties, and variants of those. There are also severe misconduct, game misconduct, and match penalties which can be incurred. Below is a basic explanation of these penalties and how they are enforced.
Minor penalties are the most common in the game. If a player commits a common infraction, he is sent off the ice for two to four minutes of play time. His team will play minus one player for the duration of the penalty; this is called playing short-handed. If the opposing team scores a goal during the time of the penalty, the penalty ends immediately. If both teams have incurred a minor penalty, then neither is considered to be playing short handed, and so the penalty is not ended in the event a goal is scored during the time the players are off the ice; but the penalty time is cut in half upon a goal. If multiple players on a team are assessed minor penalties, they are put in to the penalty box immediately, however, the penalty time is not run down until the first player is removed from the box. If the opposing team scores a goal while there are multiple players in the penalty box, only the first minor penalty is ended. The remaining player or players will have to sit out there penalties.
Most often, minor penalties are assessed for such infractions as: roughing, tripping, cross-checking, high-sticking, interference, delay of game, slashing, holding, holding the stick, and hooking. A player might incur a double minor penalty if, for example, he was caught high-sticking and that resulted in a laceration to the other player. Double minor penalties are basically two consecutive minor penalties. The player is removed from the ice for two two or four minute penalties. If the opposing team scores during a double minor then the first half of the penalty expires, the second half of the penalty is still in effect. Bench minor penalties are assessed on the entire team. One player is elected to sit out the penalty.
Major penalties are given for more severe offences. Correspondingly, the penalties are more severe. Fighting always results in a major penalty. Other infractions that result in major penalties include: butt-ending, charging, spearing, and boarding. Most major penalties are more serious instances of minor penalties. Major penalties cost the player five minutes in the penalty box, and his team will be short-handed during this time. If a goal is scored, a major penalty does not end. If both teams have a player out on major penalty, they may substitute for that player, and neither team will play short-handed on that penalty. Major penalties are most often incurred for fighting.
In the event that a player accrues three major penalties during a game, he is then assessed a misconduct penalty. A misconduct penalty results in the player being removed from the game for ten minutes. The team is allowed to substitute a player. After the penalty has expired, the offending player may return to the ice at the first stoppage of the game, unless other penalties have been assessed.
Unsportsmanlike conduct usually results in misconduct type penalties. Any player who incurs two major penalties during the course of one game is then assessed misconduct. A game misconduct penalty means the player is ejected for the game. The team is able to substitute in another player since that penalty is assessed against the individual player and not against the team.
Over the course of the season, if a player is ejected from play three times, he is then banned for his next game. The result of this is not only an un-played game, but also unearned salary. That games salary is usually donated to a league-supported charity. In addition to being penalized salary, additional disciplinary may be taken, as deemed necessary by the league.
Match penalties also result in the player being ejected from the game. A match penalty is assessed if a player attempts to deliberately injure another player. The team must select any player other than the goalie to serve a five minute major penalty and he cannot be substituted for on the ice, meaning the team plays short-handed for that five minute penalty. Players who receive a match penalty are suspended from their next game and often are subjected to hearings with the possibility of lengthier bans.
Finally, if an infraction results in the opposing team missing a scoring opportunity, then the opposing team is given a penalty shot. They are allowed one unimpeded shot at the goal, with only the goalie of the offending team left to protect the net.
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