Hockey is one of the most popular sports around the world, played by people of all ages. Like many other sports, the rules of hockey can vary by country and league. One thing that is consistent, though, is the use of a scoring zone and a penalty box in the game. In the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe, the penalty box is also known as the ‘box’. In this article, we will discuss the origins of the penalty box and how it came to be used in the sport.
Table of Contents
How Did The Penalty Box Come About?
When the modern era of hockey started in the early 20th century, rules regarding goals were very different from today. Instead of having the same 3-2-1 zone setup we see today, there was more than one type of goal: straight ahead, at an angle, and through the legs of the goalie. Furthermore, players were more physical, as well as skillful, than they are now. It was common for fights to break out on the ice during games, and players would usually end up getting into a wrestling match after a hard-fought hockey game. The straight ahead goal was referred to as a “barrel goal” because it was so common for a player to shoot at the goalie and then rush the puck across the goal line before the goalie could get out of his net.
One of the most well-known hockey players of all time is Jack Horner, who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the 1930s and 40s. In one of his memoirs, ‘Inside My Career’, published in 2012, he described a fight that broke out during a game in 1935, and how it led to the invention of the penalty box.
“It was a rough-and-tumble era,” Horner recalled in the book. “There were no fights in the old days. Everyone got along well enough – even the referees. So, when a scrum developed in the corner with a few shoves and a few punches thrown, I remember pulling out my handkerchief and handing it to the captain. ‘Okay, Cap’, I said, ‘you’re skating on a bloody handkerchief!’ ‘What?’ he replied. ‘Yes’, I said, ‘and since you’re the captain, you’re going to have to take a seat in the penalty box for a couple of minutes.’ ‘But, I’m still playing!’ he protested. I didn’t listen. I told him to sit there and take a pounding, because that’s what was going to happen.”
Based on Horner’s account, it’s clear that the fighting in hockey in the early 20th century was a lot more intense than it is today. It was also a lot more common for players to get into fights in those days, with some of them even having to be carried off the icefield on a stretcher. The invention of the penalty box was probably inspired by these violent games, and was designed to give players a rest from fighting, whilst not taking the physicality out of hockey. It was a combination of the two – physical play and a break from it. The box was initially used in the National Hockey League in the 1935-36 season.
The National Hockey League (NHL) had only recently begun play in the United States, so it was either adapt or die. In those days, games could last for upwards of three hours, so a break was certainly needed. The box gave the sport needed structure by separating the players into fighting and non-fighting groups. It also gave the coaches more time to communicate with the players between periods, since they no longer had to field questions from the fans due to the lack of technology at the time. The rules for using the box were as follows: for every 10 minutes that passed without a fight breaking out, one player from each team would enter the box for 10 minutes, and no fighting would be tolerated whilst in the box.
How Effective Is The Penalty Box?
Based on the number of fights that took place before it was introduced and the intensity of the games back then, it’s clear that the penalty box was an innovation that needed a bit of time to settle into the sport. However, once it did, it made both the playing and watching experience much better. Nowadays, the penalty box is used sparingly in the NHL, especially in recent years. While there are still some rough-and-tumble hockey games played, they’re usually of the neutral-zone variety and don’t involve as much contact as they used to.
On the other hand, there are still plenty of barnstorming games played in minor hockey leagues across North America, and this is where the penalty box is used more than anything else. These are largely because coaches and officials don’t want to miss a fight, and so they rely on the box on a regular basis. Using the penalty box has several advantages. First, it gives the coaches and officials a much-needed break from the physicality of the game. Second, it acts as a deterrent to further fighting. Finally, games played in front of large audiences take on a more theatrical air when there is a penalty box in the vicinity. Players on skates look like angry elves as they rush the puck down the ice, and the ensuing fights often draw large crowds, which can lead to increased revenue for the teams and leagues that use it.
Why Is The Penalty Box Called The ‘Penalty Box’?
The penalty box is also called the ‘penalty box’ for a reason. In hockey, when a player is sent to the box for the first time, they are given three minutes to cool down before they can return to play. The penalty box was originally designed for use in Canada and the United States, where the game is more physical than it is elsewhere. In some other countries, the penalty box is simply called the ‘box’.
What Forms Does The Penalty Box Take?
When a player is sent to the penalty box in hockey, three things typically happen:
- The referee puts up a yellow flag, which indicates to the players and spectators that the three-minute break is about to begin
- The player is given a seat in the penalty box, which is usually just a couple of lines of benches on either side of the ice
- The other players on the ice remove their helmets (this is so that the player doesn’t have to keep track of where he is on the ice in case he loses his bearings for a second and ends up in the wrong place)
The penalty box in hockey takes the shape of a square or a rectangle, depending on the size of the ice surface. The width of the box is usually adjusted to fit the width of the ice, with the extra material going behind it. The height of the box is determined by the depth of the stands – the closer they are to the ice, the higher they are built. This prevents the players from getting tangled up in the rigging when they go for a hit whilst the box is being built.
On rare occasions, the penalty box will be located in the middle of the ice, which will make the rest of the ice look like a half-pipe, and the fights that take place there are usually described as “midnight cowboy” battles. Even then, the referees will try to avoid this if possible, as it makes covering the game more difficult for them, especially when the lights are turned down low and there is minimal fanfare in between periods.
Where Do I Stand During A Game In Hockey?
During a game in hockey, the best view is usually from the middle of the ice. For this reason, it’s best to find a spot from which you can see the entire ice surface, as well as the opposing players. The good thing about this option is that it gives you the best of both worlds: you can look at the play and the action around you, without being distracted by the fans, other players, or the officials.
In some cases, there will be seats close to the action, but they are usually on the side, so that the fans are more directly involved in the game. When watching a hockey game in a stadium, it’s essential to look for the best spot based on the seating plan, as you want to avoid the middle seats if possible, as they are the most expensive and they usually get reserved for corporate events and important games. Your best bet, especially if you are in the cheap seats, is to stay towards the back, as this is usually the best place from which to see the entire ice surface and the players’ eyes – particularly when they are skatering towards the net.