Situation 1
Two younger players collide with each other, fall to the ice and become tangled up with each other. In an effort to free himself, one of the players uses his skate to push off the opposing player. Should a penalty be assessed in this situation?
Yes. Rule Reference 627(a).
A major plus a game misconduct penalty shall be assessed in this instance. In many cases players don’t realize the danger involved with pushing off another player with the skate.
Situation 2
What penalty shall be assessed to a player who intentionally steps on an opponent?
A match penalty. Rule References 627(b) and 602(a).
Even though this infraction is not considered to be “kicking” an opponent, it still represents a very serious and dangerous action deemed to be an attempt to injure that recklessly endangers the opponent and must be penalized.
Situation 3
What penalty should be assessed for an attempted kick of an opponent?
A match penalty. Rule Reference 627(b).
It must be emphasized that contact is not required for the assessment of a match penalty under this rule. Any kicking motion towards an opponent must be penalized as a match penalty.
Situation 4
The puck is kicked by an attacking player, deflects off their stick and enters his opponent’s goal. Should the goal be allowed?
No. Rule Reference 627(c).
Had the player intentionally directed the puck into the goal with his stick, the goal would have been allowed.
Situation 5
The puck is kicked by an attacking player, deflects off a teammate and enters his opponent’s goal. Should the goal be allowed?
No. Rule Reference 627(c).
Possession of the puck has not been gained by the teammate, thus the goal must be disallowed.
Situation 6
A player is standing in front of the opponent’s goal and has his arms “tied up” with a defending player so that he cannot play the puck in the normal manner. The puck goes out in front of the goal and the attacking player kicks the blade of his stick which knocks the puck into the goal. Is this considered a legal goal?
No. Rule References 627(c) and 617(c.1).
Even though the puck was not directly kicked with the skate, the puck entered the goal as the direct result of the kicking action.
