Situation 1
A player from each team is serving a coincident penalty. Their penalties expire but they must wait for a stoppage of play before leaving the penalty bench. Play is stopped because of an altercation. No players leave their players’ benches. However, both players leave the penalty bench at the same time. Player A (Red team) enters the altercation. Player X (Blue team) does not enter the altercation, but skates to their players’ bench. What penalties are imposed?
Each player would be assessed a major plus game misconduct penalty. The player entering the altercation would also be assessed whatever additional penalties they incur. Rule Reference 629(a).
No player may leave the players’ or penalty bench at any time during an altercation.
Situation 2
Player A1 leaves the players’ bench during a fight. He is the first player to leave a bench. He initiates a fight with an opposing player. What penalties would be assessed to A1?
Player A1 who leaves the bench would be assessed a major plus game misconduct penalty for leaving the bench during an altercation, plus an additional major plus game misconduct penalty for the fight. Rule References 629(a) and 615(a).
All penalties are cumulative. Player A1 must receive two game misconduct penalties. The major plus game misconduct penalty is assessed to any player leaving the bench during an altercation, not just the first player to do so.
Situation 3
A player is the first to leave his players’ bench during an altercation and is also the first player to intervene in an altercation then in progress. What penalties are assessed to this player?
The player is assessed a major plus game misconduct penalty for leaving the bench during an altercation, and an additional game misconduct for being “first to intervene” in an existing altercation. Rule References 629(a) and 615(d).
The Referee should assess both game misconduct penalties along with any other penalties incurred.
Situation 4
A player leaves the penalty bench before his penalty has expired during a stoppage of play and during an altercation. They are the only player to leave a bench. What penalties must be assessed to this player?
A major plus game misconduct penalty for leaving the bench during an altercation plus an additional minor penalty for leaving the penalty bench prior to penalty expiration. Rule References 629(a & b).
The additional minor penalty applies only if the player leaves the penalty bench prematurely by his own decision.
Situation 5
A player serving a misconduct penalty proceeds onto the ice during a stoppage of play before his penalty has expired. (No Timekeeper error and no altercation in progress.) He is assessed a minor penalty. How is this penalty served?
The penalized player’s team must put an additional player on the penalty bench immediately to serve the minor penalty. The remaining time of the misconduct penalty is then delayed until the minor penalty is terminated. Rule References 629(b) and 404(a).
The Referee must be sure that the Timekeeper knows exactly how much time is remaining in the misconduct penalty. The Penalty Timekeeper must also be aware that the misconduct would be resumed upon the expiration of the minor penalty.
Situation 6
With five seconds remaining in his penalty, a player leaves the penalty bench through an error of the Timekeeper and joins play on the ice. Ten seconds elapse before the Timekeeper can alert the Referee to stop play. Is the player assessed any further penalties?
No. Rule Reference 629(b).
The player must return to the penalty bench to serve the remaining five seconds of their penalty. Had the player left the penalty bench prematurely on their own accord, he would have been properly assessed an additional minor penalty.
Situation 7
What penalty is assessed if a penalized player enters the game illegally by reason of the Timekeeper’s error and clearly checks a player who is on a breakaway and has a scoring opportunity?
No penalty is assessed, but the penalized player must return to the penalty bench to serve their unexpired time starting from the time he left the penalty bench. Rule References 629(b and c).
Because the penalized player left the bench due to the Penalty Timekeeper’s error, that player cannot be further penalized for leaving the penalty bench prematurely.
Situation 8
What penalty would be assessed a penalized player who leaves the penalty bench on his own before their time is up, and checks a player who has a breakaway?
The Referee shall assess a penalty shot/optional minor and assess the penalized player an additional minor penalty to be served after his original time has expired. Rule References 629(b and c).
In this situation a penalty shot would be awarded regardless of the location of the player on the breakaway.
Situation 9
A player returns to the ice from the penalty bench prematurely. There were 10 seconds remaining in their minor penalty. Play continues for 20 seconds, at which time their team scores a goal. The Referee is made aware of that situation as he goes to report the goal to the Scorer. What action must the Referee take?
The goal must be disallowed and the penalized player must return to the penalty bench to serve the remaining 10 seconds in his penalty. If he returned to the ice by their own decision, an additional minor penalty must be assessed. Rule References 629(b and c).
Once the player comes onto the ice prematurely, whether by their own decision or by instruction from the Penalty Timekeeper, their team cannot score a goal while that player is on the ice prior to a stoppage of play. This ruling applies if the goal is scored (or awarded) while the penalty time is still in effect as well as after it has elapsed.
Situation 10
Player A-1 returns to the ice prematurely. While he is on the ice, Team B inadvertently puts the puck into its own goal. Does the goal count?
No. Rule Reference 629(c).
No goal can be scored by a team who has a player on the ice who has illegally entered the game, regardless as to how the goal is scored.
Situation 11
A Coach goes on the ice during the game to protest an Official’s decision. What penalty must be assessed?
A bench minor and game misconduct penalty. Rule Reference 629(d).
The Referee is given the option of imposing either or both penalties, depending on the severity of the incident. However, in all cases where a Team Official comes onto the ice during a period to protest a decision, both penalties must be assessed. Should the Coach continue the protest and refuse to leave the ice, they shall also be subject to a match penalty under Rule Reference 601(e.2).
