Section 7: Violations/Penalties
Minor Penalties (2 Minutes)
The penalized player serves two minutes in the penalty box, and their team plays shorthanded. If the opposing team scores during the power play, the penalty expires. Common minor penalties include:
- Tripping: Using a stick, knee, foot, arm, hand, or elbow to cause an opponent to trip or fall.
- Hooking: Using the blade of the stick to impede an opponent's progress.
- Holding: Using hands, arms, or legs to restrain or impede an opponent.
- Slashing: Swinging the stick at an opponent with force, whether or not contact is made.
- Interference: Impeding the progress of a player who does not have the puck.
- High-sticking: Contacting an opponent with the stick above the normal height of the shoulders.
- Cross-checking: Using the shaft of the stick held in both hands to check an opponent.
- Roughing: Striking an opponent in an altercation that does not rise to the level of a fighting major.
- Delay of Game: Deliberately delaying the game (e.g., shooting the puck over the glass from the defensive zone, displacing the goal post, failing to maintain equipment).
- Too Many Men: Having more than six players (including the goaltender) on the ice during play.
Double Minor Penalties (4 Minutes)
Assessed when a minor penalty infraction results in an injury to the opposing player (most commonly high-sticking that draws blood). The penalized player serves four minutes. If the opposing team scores during the first two minutes, the first half of the penalty expires but the second two minutes continue.
Major Penalties (5 Minutes)
Major penalties are assessed for more severe infractions and require the penalized player to serve the full five minutes regardless of goals scored. Fighting results in an automatic major penalty for both participants. Other actions that may result in major penalties include boarding, charging, and checking from behind when the severity warrants it.
Misconduct Penalties (10 Minutes)
A misconduct penalty removes the player from the ice for 10 minutes but does not result in a power play — a substitute player serves the coinciding minor or major penalty if applicable. Misconduct penalties are assessed for repeated minor infractions, unsportsmanlike conduct, or abuse of officials.
Game Misconducts and Match Penalties
A game misconduct results in ejection from the game. A match penalty is assessed for deliberate intent to injure and also results in ejection, with the matter referred to the NHL Department of Player Safety for potential supplementary discipline (fines or suspensions).
Penalty Shots
A penalty shot is awarded when a player on a clear breakaway is illegally impeded or when certain specific infractions occur (such as a defending player other than the goaltender deliberately falling on the puck in the crease). During a penalty shot, the player skates in alone from center ice against the opposing goaltender with no time limit, and must maintain forward motion toward the goal.