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Penalties

Situation 1

Can the Referee impose penalties that occur during the pregame warm-up?

Yes. Rule References 401(a Note 1) and 502(a).

The Officials should enter the ice prior to the start of the warm-up period and must personally witness the incident in order for penalties to be assessed. All penalties imposed during the pre-game warm-up begin at the opening face-off.

Situation 2

An Official blows his whistle to stop play. The players around the puck do not hear the whistle and the play continues. During this time, a player commits an infraction that calls for a minor penalty. Should the Referee assess the penalty even though play was supposed to have stopped prior to the infraction?

Yes. Rule Reference 401(a Note 1).

The penalty must be assessed even though the play has technically ended. Penalties that occur during stoppages of play must be called as if they actually occurred during normal playing time.

Situation 3

A team (Youth, Girls’ or High School) is assessed 9 minor, 3 misconduct and 2 game misconduct penalties during a game. Is the Head Coach suspended for the next game of that team in this situation?

Yes. Rule Reference 401(b).

When the total number of assessed and recorded penalties equals or exceeds 12, the Head Coach is suspended for the next one game of the team.

Situation 4

At the 13:45 mark of the third period a team (Youth, Girls’ or High School) is assessed its 12th penalty. Is the Head Coach immediately removed from the bench and assessed a game misconduct penalty?

No in both instances. Rule Reference 401(b).

The Head Coach is given a one game suspension that is served during the next game of that team that is already on the schedule.

The Coach is not assessed a game misconduct penalty nor is he removed from the current game for this rule.

Situation 5

A team (Youth, Girls’ or High School) is assessed 12 penalties during a game. Can the Assistant Coach or Manager serve the subsequent game suspension that is called for in this situation?

No. Rule Reference 401(b).

The individual that is designated as the Head Coach on the scoresheet for that game must serve the one game suspension.

Situation 6

During a game (Youth, Girls’ or High School) the Head Coach is assessed a game misconduct penalty and the Assistant Coach takes control of the team. Later in the game that team incurs its 12th penalty. What suspensions are served?

Both coaches are suspended for the next game of that team. Rule References 401(b) and 404(b).

Once the Head Coach is removed from the game the Assistant Coach assumes the responsibility for the team. Whoever is considered to be in control of the team at the time the 12th penalty is assessed (if still the Head Coach – he would serve this suspension in addition to his game misconduct suspension) is the individual who must serve the one game suspension under this rule.

Situation 7

A player (Youth, Girls’ or High School) is assessed a minor plus a misconduct penalty. Does this infraction count as one or two penalties toward the cumulative penalty rule?

Two. Rule Reference 401(b).

Even though there has been only one infraction of the rules, there are two penalties assessed for this infraction that both count towards the cumulative penalty rule.

Situation 8

A player (Youth, Girls’ or High School) is assessed a major and a game misconduct penalty which also constitutes his fourth penalty in that game. How many games is the player suspended?

Assuming this was not the second major penalty of the game, he shall be suspended for two games. Rule References 401(b) and 404(b).

He receives a one game suspension for the major and game misconduct penalty assessed, and a one game suspension for his second game misconduct penalty (incurring four penalties in one game).

Situation 9

During a delayed penalty signal to Team A, Team B scores a goal. The signaled penalty is recorded but not served. Is the signaled infraction included in the cumulative penalty rules for players and teams (Youth, Girls’ or High School)?

Yes. Rule References 401(b) and 409(b).

Each penalty that is recorded on the scoresheet, whether or not it is actually served, counts towards the cumulative penalty rules.

Situation 10

The Referee is signaling a minor plus a misconduct penalty to a Team A player (Youth, Girls’ or High School) for Checking from Behind. During the delay, Team B scores a goal. The minor penalty is recorded, but not served, and the player serves the misconduct portion of the infraction. How many penalties apply toward the cumulative penalty rule?

Both penalties are counted. Rule References 401(b) and 409(b).

Each penalty that is recorded on the scoresheet, whether or not it is actually served, counts towards the cumulative penalty rules.

Situation 11

Do coincident minor penalties apply toward the cumulative penalty rule (Youth, Girls’ or High School)?

Yes. Rule Reference 401(b).

Even though no penalty time is displayed on the clock, the penalties are still counted towards the 4/12 Rule.

Situation 12

Does a Penalty Shot apply toward the cumulative penalty rule (Youth, Girls’ or High School)?

Yes. Rule Reference 401(b).

A Penalty Shot is considered an infraction and would normally incur a penalty if it did not fit into the penalty shot criteria.

Situation 13

A defending player (Youth, Girls’ or High School) deliberately displaces the goal with the goalkeeper off the ice which clearly prevents a goal. The Referee correctly awards a goal to the non-offending team. Does this infraction apply toward the cumulative penalty rule?

Yes. Rule Reference 401(b).

An Awarded Goal is considered an infraction and would normally incur a penalty if it did not fit into the awarded goal criteria.

Situation 14

During a game, a player (Youth, Girls’ or High School) receives four penalties and his team is assessed twelve penalties, both calling for game suspensions. How are these game suspensions reported?

The Referee shall note these infractions on the scoresheet and notify the proper authorities. Rule Reference 401(b) and 404(b).