How Long Are Penalties in Hockey
Penalties in hockey can vary in length depending on the severity of the infraction. Here are 5 facts to help you understand the length of penalties in hockey:
1. Minor Penalties: Most penalties in hockey are minor penalties, which result in two minutes of penalty time for the offending player. During this time, the team of the penalized player will be short-handed, meaning they will play with one fewer player on the ice.
2. Major Penalties: Major penalties are more serious infractions and result in five minutes of penalty time for the offending player. Like with minor penalties, the penalized player’s team will be short-handed for the duration of the penalty.
3. Double Minor Penalties: In some cases, a single infraction can result in two minor penalties being assessed to the offending player. These penalties are known as double minors and result in a total of four minutes of penalty time. This usually happens when a player commits a high-sticking infraction that causes an injury.
4. Misconduct Penalties: Misconduct penalties are unique as they don’t immediately put a team at a disadvantage. The penalized player must serve a 10-minute penalty, but their team can still field a full squad of players on the ice.
5. Game Misconduct Penalties: Game misconduct penalties are the most severe penalties in hockey. They result in a player being ejected from the game and typically carry an additional automatic suspension. The length of suspension can vary depending on the league and the severity of the actions that led to the penalty.
Here are 7 frequently asked questions about the length of penalties in hockey:
1. Can penalty time be reduced if the opposing team scores?
No, penalty time cannot be reduced if the opposing team scores. The penalized player must serve the entire length of their penalty, regardless of the number of goals scored against their team.
2. Can multiple penalties be served consecutively?
Yes, if a player commits multiple infractions at the same time, they can be assessed multiple penalties. These penalties will be served consecutively, meaning one after another.
3. Can a player substitute for a penalized player during their penalty time?
No, a player cannot be substituted for a penalized player during their penalty time. The penalized player’s team must play short-handed until the penalty time expires.
4. Can coaches or team officials serve penalties on behalf of players?
No, coaches or team officials cannot serve penalties on behalf of players. Only players can serve penalties, and they must be chosen from the players on the team’s active roster.
5. What happens if a player receives multiple penalties in one game?
If a player receives multiple penalties in one game, they must serve the penalty time for each infraction consecutively. This means their team will be short-handed for the combined duration of the penalties.
6. Are goaltenders subject to penalties?
Yes, goaltenders can receive penalties for certain actions, such as intentionally dislodging the net or playing the puck outside the designated area. The length of the penalties assessed to goaltenders follows the same rules as for skaters.
7. Do penalties carry over between periods?
No, penalties do not carry over between periods in hockey. If a penalized player’s penalty time is not completed by the end of a period, they will continue to serve the remaining time at the start of the following period.
BOTTOM LINE: Penalties in hockey can range from two minutes for minor infractions to five minutes for major offenses. Double minor penalties can result in four minutes of penalty time, while misconduct penalties carry a 10-minute penalty. Game misconduct penalties lead to a player’s ejection from the game and a potential suspension.