DEFINITION: Penalty minutes in hockey are a statistical measurement used to track the total amount of time a player spends in the penalty box during a game or season. It is typically represented by the abbreviation “PIM.”
FAQs:
1. What causes a player to receive penalty minutes in hockey?
– A player can receive penalty minutes for committing various infractions such as tripping, slashing, checking from behind, or even fighting. These penalties are determined by the referees and result in the player being sent to the penalty box for a designated amount of time.
2. How are penalty minutes different from penalties?
– While penalties refer to the actual rule infractions committed by players, penalty minutes are the numerical representation of the time those players spend in the penalty box as a consequence of those infractions.
3. Are all penalty minutes the same duration?
– No, the duration of penalty minutes varies based on the severity of the infraction. Minor penalties typically require the player to serve 2 minutes, while major penalties can result in 5 minutes or more in the penalty box.
4. Do penalty minutes impact a team’s gameplay?
– Absolutely, penalty minutes can greatly impact the flow of a game and a team’s performance. When a player is serving a penalty, their team is often short-handed, meaning they have fewer players on the ice, which can lead to disadvantages and scoring opportunities for the opposing team.
5. Are penalty minutes carried over from game to game or reset after each game?
– Penalty minutes are typically reset after each game, meaning a player’s penalty minute count starts from zero in every new game. However, in some circumstances, players can accumulate penalty minutes throughout the season, and disciplinary actions or suspensions may be imposed by the league for excessive penalty accumulation.
