(a) If the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as would normally incur a minor or bench minor penalty, the non-offending team may, prior to the penalty shot, elect that the minor or bench minor penalty be assessed to the offending player or team in lieu of the penalty shot. If the penalty shot is selected, the offending team shall not be reduced in on-ice strength as a result of the infraction.
If the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as would normally incur a major or match penalty, such penalty shall be imposed in addition to the penalty shot regardless as to whether a goal was scored or not. In addition, misconduct penalties will also be served in the normal manner.
(b) In cases where a penalty shot that has been awarded where a specific player has been fouled [Rules 610(e and f), 616(b), 629(c) and 637(a and b)], the Referee shall designate the fouled player to take the penalty shot.
In cases where a penalty shot that has been awarded where a specific player has not been fouled [Rules 204(d), 610(e and f), 614(b), 618(a) and 637(a)], the player selected to take the penalty shot shall be designated by the captain of the non-offending team from the players who were on the ice at the time the infraction occurred. If by reason of injury the player designated by the Referee to take the penalty shot is unable to do so within a reasonable time, the shot may be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players on the ice at the time the infraction occurred.
Once the player has been designated to take the shot, either by the Referee or captain, such player may not be changed unless that player had incurred a game misconduct or match penalty prior to taking the penalty shot. In this instance, the captain of the non-offending team shall designate a player who was on the ice at the time of the infraction to take the penalty shot.
If the player designated to take the penalty shot is assessed a minor or misconduct penalty in connection with the play prior to taking the penalty shot, they shall first be permitted to complete the penalty shot prior to taking their place on the penalty bench.
Only a player designated as a goalkeeper, substitute goalkeeper or temporary goalkeeper (see Glossary) may defend against a penalty shot.
(c) A “Penalty Shot” shall be taken as follows: The puck shall be placed on the center ice face-off spot and on the instruction of the Referee, the player taking the shot will play the puck from there and attempt to score on the
goalkeeper. Once the player taking the shot has touched the puck, it must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind and any time the puck crosses the goal line the shot shall be considered complete.
The goalkeeper must remain in the crease until the player taking the penalty shot has touched the puck. The goalkeeper may attempt to stop the shot in any manner except by throwing their stick or any object, in which case a minor penalty shall be assessed to the goalkeeper.
While the penalty shot is being taken, players from both teams must be on their players’ benches.
When an infraction occurs calling for a penalty shot during actual playing time, the shot will be taken immediately upon completion of the play (delayed whistle by the Referee). The time required to complete the penalty shot shall not be included in the regular playing time.
If a goal is scored from a penalty shot, the puck shall be faced-off at center ice in the usual way. If a goal is not scored, the puck shall be faced-off at either of the end face-off spots in the zone in which the penalty shot has been attempted.
(d) For any violation committed by a goalkeeper during the penalty shot, the Referee shall allow the shot to be completed and if the shot fails, another penalty shot shall be awarded. Any penalties assessed will be served in the normal manner whether or not a goal is scored on the penalty shot.
If, while the penalty shot is being taken, any player of the opposing team shall have by some action interfered with or distracted the player taking the shot, and as a result the shot was failed, a second attempt shall be permitted and the Referee shall impose a misconduct penalty on the player who committed the infraction.
