PIMS stands for “Penalties in Minutes” in hockey. It is a statistical category used to measure the number of minutes a player has spent in the penalty box due to penalties they have received during a game or throughout a season. PIMS is an important metric as it helps gauge a player’s level of discipline and the overall effectiveness of their play.
FAQs:
1. How are penalties in hockey measured?
Penalties in hockey are measured in minutes. Each penalty a player receives results in a certain amount of time they must spend in the penalty box, usually ranging from two to five minutes, depending on the severity of the infraction.
2. Why is PIMS important in hockey statistics?
PIMS is important in hockey statistics because it provides insight into a player’s discipline on the ice. It helps assess their ability to avoid penalties and stay on the ice, thus contributing positively to their team’s efforts.
3. Can penalties affect a team’s performance?
Yes, penalties can significantly affect a team’s performance. When a player is in the penalty box, their team is shorthanded, meaning they have fewer players on the ice than their opponents. This can make it more challenging to score goals and defend against the opposing team’s attacks.
4. Do all penalties result in the same amount of PIMS?
No, different penalties carry different time durations in the penalty box. Minor penalties typically result in two minutes, while major penalties can carry five minutes. Additionally, misconduct penalties or game misconduct penalties can result in longer periods spent in the box.
5. Are all penalties the same in terms of severity?
Penalties vary in severity based on the nature of the infraction. For example, a high-sticking penalty, which involves striking an opponent with a stick, may carry a higher severity than a holding penalty, which involves restraining an opponent’s movement.
6. Can a player accumulate multiple penalties in a single game?
Yes, players can accumulate multiple penalties in a single game. If a player commits multiple infractions, they will be sent to the penalty box for each separate penalty, resulting in added PIMS to their overall total.
7. Is PIMS the only measure of a player’s penalty discipline?
While PIMS is a commonly used metric, it is not the sole measure of a player’s penalty discipline. Other factors, such as the timing of penalties (e.g., a penalty in the final minutes of a tied game), the impact of penalties on a team’s performance, and the player’s ability to learn from and reduce their penalties over time, are also taken into account when assessing penalty discipline.
BOTTOM LINE: PIMS stands for Penalties in Minutes and is a statistic used to measure the amount of time a player spends in the penalty box due to penalties received during hockey games. It provides insight into a player’s discipline and impact on the team’s performance.
