what is a penalty?
That’s a funny question – shouldn’t it be obvious?
Well, you would think, but it is anything but.
You will save yourself a lot of anxiety if you realize one thing:
THEY ARE SUBJECTIVE.
Only a few penalties are black and white. Most are at the discretion of the ref.
When a player hits another with a stick is that a slashing penalty?
It depends on the ref’s judgement of perceived force and intent from the player.
Yes. Subjective.
5 Types of Penalties
- Minor penalty – 2 minute penalties and are most commonly called for tripping, slashing, high-sticking, holding, interference, and delay of game
- Major penalty – 5 minute penalties that can be the same type as a 2 minute minor penalty but the referee in his judgement has deemed the penalty to be one of an extra egregious play. Fighting by a player is deemed a major penalty
- Match Penalty – 5 minute penalty that also results in a player being removed for the duration of the game for intentionally injuring or attempting to injure another player
- Misconduct Penalty – 10 minute penalty but does not require that the team will be shorthanded while it is being served
- Penalty Shot – Player is interfered from behind when he is on a breakaway. The player then gets to take the puck from center ice in on the goalie for a free shot with no other players on the ice – very exciting!
