Two of the NHL’s most serious penalty calls are the match penalty and game misconduct. Both of them result in the player being ejected from the game but there are differences in the penalties and we’ll explain them in this article.
What is a Match Penalty in Hockey?
Match Penalties in the NHL are dealt with by rule 21 of the league’s rulebook.
It states that a player, including a goaltender, will be ejected from the game immediately if he deliberately attempts to injure or does injure an opposing player in any way. The team receiving the penalty must also play shorthanded for the next five minutes as a teammate other than a goaltender serves the accompanying major penalty.
The player who committed the foul will have 15 minutes of penalty time added to his season statistics and will also be automatically suspended from playing again until the league has reviewed the incident.
All match penalties and their specific circumstances are reported to the league commissioner as soon as the game has ended. The most common infractions resulting in a match penalty include: boarding, butt-ending, charging, checking from behind, clipping, cross-checking, elbowing, and the goalkeeper using his blocking glove to strike the face or head of an opponent.
The on-ice officials will video-review each incident which results in a match penalty. After the review has been completed the officials may confirm the original match penalty call or reduce the penalty for the same rule infraction.
What is a Game Misconduct in Hockey?
A game misconduct penalty, which comes under rule 23 of the NHL rule book, also sees the offending player ejected from the game.
The penalized team isn’t forced to play shorthanded unless the player is also assessed a minor and/or major penalty at the same time. The player receives 10 minutes of penalty time added to his season statistics along with any minor/major penalties they may receive at the same time.
The referee will report the incident to the league commissioner, who has the power to impose further punishment on the offending player in the way of a monetary fine or a suspension from play.
You can get an automatic game suspension for a number of reasons According to rule 20.4, an automatic game misconduct is handed to any player who has accrued three major penalties in the same game.
In addition, an automatic game misconduct will be handed out whenever a player receives a five-minute major for the following infractions:
- receiving a second fighting instigator penalty in the same game
- instigating a fight in the final five minutes of a game or in overtime
- receiving a third instigator penalty in the season
- head-butting, hooking, kneeing, slashing, and spearing.
The rule book states that a player will receive an automatic game misconduct when receiving a major penalty for boarding, charging, or elbowing, and it results in an injury to the opponent’s head or face.
Any player or non-playing member of the team who physically interferes with, throws an object at, or becomes involved in an altercation with a fan will automatically be handed a game misconduct.
After a game misconduct penalty, the referee will then report the infraction to the Commissioner of the NHL, and further penalties and suspensions could be handed out.
A team has 48 hours from the conclusion of the game to request in writing to the league and ask for the game misconduct to be reviewed and rescinded. If the club doesn’t appeal the penalty then it will automatically be upheld by the league and no further review will take place.
Read our related post “NHL Game Misconduct Penalty Explained (A Detailed Guide)” here.
How Match Penalties and Game Misconduct Penalties are Different:
When a player is assessed a match penalty it also comes with an automatic five-minute major which means his team must play short-handed for a full five minutes regardless of how many goals it concedes during that span.
When a game misconduct is assessed it doesn’t include an automatic minor or major penalty, although an additional penalty could be assessed at the time.
Also, since a match penalty is handed out for a deliberate attempt to injure it’s usually dealt with more severely by the league when it comes to additional punishment. This is why a match penalty will be immediately video-reviewed by the on-ice officials and either be upheld or reduced at the time of the review.
Which Carries a Longer Fine and Suspension?
Both match penalties and game misconducts are reported to the league and the offending player may also be handed a suspension or monetary fine for his actions. Players who receive a match penalty are typically dealt with more harshly.
Common Questions About Hockey Penalties:
What is a Delayed Penalty?
When a team commits an infraction of the rules but the opposing team has possession of the puck the referee will signal a delayed penalty. This means the play will continue as long as the non-offending team is in possession of the puck. When the offending team gains puck possession the play will immediately be whistled dead and the penalty will then be assessed.
What is a Minor Penalty?
A minor penalty is a two-minute penalty which is typically served by the player who committed the infraction. However, when a goaltender is assessed the penalty a teammate who was on the ice at the time of the call is allowed to serve the two minutes in the penalty box.
The team which receives the penalty will play shorthanded by one player for the duration of the two minutes. If the opposition scores with the man advantage during those two minutes, the penalized player is allowed to return to the ice and the remaining time in the penalty is wiped out. The penalty isn’t terminated though if the opposition scores a goal on a penalty shot during the two minutes.
If a team has two or more players in the penalty box at the same time due to minor penalties and they concede a goal, the player with the least amount of time remaining in the penalty will be released from the penalty box.
For example, if one player as 1 minute and 50 seconds of penalty time remaining when the goal is scored and his teammate has 45 seconds remaining in his penalty, the player with 45 seconds left in the penalty will be released from the penalty box while the other player remains there to serve out the remainder of the penalty or will be released if the opposition scores again.
The most common minor penalties called in a hockey game are for infractions such as:
- boarding
- playing with a broken stick,
- charging
- clipping
- closing you hand on puck
- cross-checking
- delay of game
- elbowing
- goalie interference
- high-sticking
- holding
- holding an opponent’s stick
- hooking.
When the team receiving a delayed minor penalty scores a goal before the referee has a chance to call it, the penalty will no longer be given.
Double Minor Penalties
When a player receives a double-minor penalty, it means they have been assessed four minutes of penalty time for an infraction.
These are typically called for incidents such as:
- butt-ending
- delay of game due to a coach’s challenge
- head-butting
- high-sticking
- spearing.
The player who commits the infraction serves the penalty unless it was the goaltender as any other teammate on the ice at the time of the penalty may serve it.
Note:
- If the offending team is going to be assessed a delayed double-minor penalty and the opposition scores before the penalty is called, the player will have to serve only two minutes in the penalty box as one of the minors will be wiped out due to the goal being scored.
- Also, if a player is serving a double-minor penalty and the opposition scores, the first minor will be wiped out but the second minor must still be served.
Bench Minor Penalties
A bench minor penalty is the removal of a player who is on the ice to serve a 2-minute penalty, the coach chooses the player, and the captain tells the referee who will serve the penalty.
A bench minor penalty can happen for these reasons stated in the NHL rulebook:
- Abuse of officials (Rule 39)
- Delay of game (Rule 63)
- Deliberate illegal substitution (Rule 74)
- Face-off violation (Rule 76)
- Illegal substitution (Rule 68)
- Improper starting line-up (Rule 7)
- Interference from players’ or penalty bench (Rule 56)
- Interference with an official (Rule 59)
- Leaving bench at end of period (Rule 86)
- Refusing to start play (Rule 73)
- Stepping onto ice during period (Coach) (Rule 70)
- Throwing objects onto ice (Rule 63)
- Too many men on the ice (Rule 74)
- Unsportsmanlike conduct (Rule 75)
- Unsustained request for measurement (Rule 10)
When a bench minor penalty is assessed to a team it must place any player other than a goaltender in the penalty box to serve the two minutes. The same rules that apply to a minor penalty also apply to a bench minor when it comes to allowing a shorthanded goal etc.
What is a Major Penalty?
A major penalty is a five-minute penalty which is called for more serious infractions. When receiving a major penalty, the offending team must play shorthanded for the entire five minutes, even if the opposition scores one or more goals.
The player who commits the infraction serves the penalty unless it’s the goaltender. In this case, any teammate who was on the ice when the penalty was called may serve the time in the penalty box.
The most common infractions resulting in a major penalty include:
- boarding
- butt-ending
- charging
- checking from behind
- clipping
- cross-checking
- elbowing
- fighting
- head-butting
- hooking
- interference
- kneeing
- slashing
- spearing
If a player receives a major penalty for any of the following instances they will also be assessed an automatic game misconduct. These are:
- receiving a second fighting instigator penalty
- instigating a fight in the final five minutes of a game
- receiving a third instigating penalty in the season
- head-butting
- hooking
- kneeing
- slashing
- spearing
If a player receives a major penalty for either boarding, charging or elbowing and the incident results in an injury to the face or head of the opponent, an automatic game misconduct will also be assessed.
In addition, any player who receives three major penalties in the same game will also be given an automatic game misconduct.
All major penalties are video reviewed by the on-ice officials other than majors handed out for fighting. After reviewing the infraction the referee may confirm the original five-minute call or reduce the call to a minor or double-minor penalty.
If a delayed major penalty is to be assessed and the offending team concedes a goal before it’s called, the offending team must still serve the penalty.
Read my related post “33 Types of Penalties in Hockey (Each Explained)” here.
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.