In hockey, a penalty shot is awarded to a player if they are denied a scoring opportunity due to a specific infraction committed by the opposing team. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about penalty shots in hockey:
FAQ 1: What kind of infraction leads to a penalty shot being awarded?
Answer: A penalty shot is awarded when a defending player commits a foul against an attacking player who is on a breakaway towards the opposing team’s goal.
FAQ 2: How does the referee determine if a penalty shot is warranted?
Answer: The referee assesses whether the foul committed prevented an obvious scoring opportunity. If the referee determines that a player was illegally impeded while having a clear path to the goal, a penalty shot is awarded.
FAQ 3: Can a penalty shot be awarded for other penalties, such as slashing or tripping?
Answer: No, penalty shots are only given for specific infractions that result in a breakaway being taken away. Other penalties result in power plays, where the penalized team must play with one fewer player for a certain amount of time.
FAQ 4: How is a penalty shot taken?
Answer: The player awarded the penalty shot gets a one-on-one opportunity against the opposing team’s goalie. They start from the center ice and have a limited amount of time to attempt a scoring play.
FAQ 5: Can any player on the attacking team take the penalty shot?
Answer: Typically, the player who was fouled is the one who takes the penalty shot. However, if they are unable to take the shot due to injury or being penalized, the coach can choose another player to take the shot.
FAQ 6: Can a penalty shot be awarded in overtime or a shootout?
Answer: Yes, if a penalty shot-worthy infraction occurs during overtime or a shootout, a penalty shot will be awarded. This allows the fouled team a one-on-one opportunity to potentially win the game.
FAQ 7: How often are penalty shots successful?
Answer: Penalty shots are often challenging, as the shooter has limited time and space against the goalie. Success rates vary, but on average, penalty shots result in a goal only about 20-30% of the time.
BOTTOM LINE: Penalty shots are awarded in hockey when a player is illegally impeded on a breakaway, denying them an obvious scoring opportunity. They provide an exciting one-on-one situation for the fouled team to potentially score a goal. However, they are not common and are only given for specific infractions that take away a clear chance to score.
