ICE HOCKEY
Penalties
ABOUT
When a player violates one of the rules of the game, he is given a penalty by a referee. Penalties are given for body fouls such as hitting from behind, elbowing and fighting. Penalties are also given for stick fouls like slashing, spearing, hooking, holding, tripping, cross-checking and high-sticking.
MINOR PENALTIES IN HOCKEY
Most of the hockey penalties called in a game will be minor penalties, bringing a two-minute trip to the penalty box. This leaves that team short-handed, while the other team is on a “power play,” which means they have a one-person advantage. If the team on the power play scores, the remaining time on the two-minute penalty is erased and the player in the box is released, putting both teams back at full strength. Officials can issue double or triple minors resulting in four- and six-minute stays in the box. While there are many, many minor hockey penalties, a few are called regularly.
MAJOR HOCKEY PENALTIES
A major hockey penalty can be assessed for some of the same actions in the minor category, but is, in the judgment of the officials, a stronger penalty for a more severe infraction. A major penalty comes with five minutes in the penalty box, during which that team plays shorthanded. A major penalty is not shortened if the team on the power play scores a goal. However, in the case of fighting, if both combatants receive fighting majors and are sent to the box, substitute players can step in and both teams play at full strength.