There are three major penalties in hockey:
- A delay of game penalty assessed for delaying play by taking too long to change your equipment (excluding the goalie’s equipment) during a stoppage in play.
- A match penalty assessed for fighting during a hockey game (unless the offense was careless, which is a minor penalty).
- A goalie ejection assessed for a serious violation of the goalkeeper rules.
The most common penalty in hockey is a minor penalty for delay of game. In a recent study, 89% of all penalty calls were assessed for delay of game. This makes sense because when the play stops for a moment, the players usually need to change their equipment. This normally takes at least a few seconds. During that time, the ball can roll away and the referees have other things to deal with. A lot can happen in 90 seconds!
The second most common penaliy is a fighting penalty. This is understandable since there is a lot of action in hockey and a lot of contact. However, fighting is now discouraged in the sport. As a result, the number of fighting penalties has declined by 20% since 2014-15. Nevertheless, the Fighting Penalty is still very common because hockey is a physically demanding sport. Even when the players are not trying to fight, they sometimes end up doing so because the body movements and physical contact are just so much in the game.
The third and the least common penalty in hockey is a goalie ejection. This happens when the goalie interferes with play (by kicking, punching, or pulling a skate) or is blatantly careless in their defense of the net (by missing an assignment, dropping the puck, etc.). This is a very dangerous penalty because it puts the opposing team’s goalie in goal position. In fact, over 10% of all goalie ejections were due to this type of infraction. It is very rare for a goalie to be ejected for any other type of penalty.
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Hockey Is A Competitive Sport
The competitiveness of hockey is what makes it so popular. Everyone wants to win. This is why there are so many different ways for players to score a goal. Different equipment, such as stick-handling, shooting, and speed help make the game more interesting. It is also one of the main reasons why people watch hockey. The sport is exciting and the physical contact makes it seem more real. People feel like they are actually playing the game rather than just watching it on television.
Hockey is a sport that helps people socialize. Not only does it help teach them teamwork and sportsmanship, but it also lets them express their personalities. When players score a goal, they usually jump up and down, wave their arms, shout, and even kiss the ice. This is why people in hockey-loving countries like Canada and America love the game so much.
Hockey Is A Family-Friendly Sport
One of the major appeals of hockey is that it is family-friendly. Even adults can have fun watching the sport since there is plenty of action and excitement whether you are a fan of the sport or a participant. Kids love hockey too since they can play on a playground with their friends while also watching the game. This is another reason why hockey is so popular around the world.
Hockey is also a sport that allows people to be different. If you fit the “ideal” body type, you cannot play the sport. This is one of the major reasons why there are no female hockey players. However, even if you are not “the best” at hockey, you can still play with the guys. This is one of the things that make hockey so attractive to people — the chance to play regardless of your physical appearance. Of course, this also means that there will always be a place for big, strong, fast guys in the sport.
How Is The Equipment Related To Penalties?
Let’s take a quick look at how the equipment is related to the penalties in hockey.
- The goalie’s equipment is related to the goalie ejection penalty because they have the duty to protect the net from getting damaged. If the goalie interferes with the play in any way, they can be ejected from the net. If the net is damaged due to their interference, they will get a penalty for goalie interference.
- The attacker’s equipment is related to the fighting penalty because they can be penalized for fisticuffs. If they go at it for longer than a few seconds, they will get a penalty for fighting. Additionally, players who are fighting have the right to use their gloves, if they so choose. Finally, there is also the kneeing penalty which is assessed when a player trips a fellow player with their knee while they are in a standing position (before the puck has been dropped for play).
- For a goal to be scored, the puck must cross the goal line. This is why the goal posts are attached to a crossbar that stretches across the entire goal area. Without them, there would be no clear indication of whether or not the puck crossed the line. The crossbar also prevents the puck from going out of play during a high-speed crash.
- The shoulder of the player who shoots the puck is also related to the goal-scoring process. Their arm extends beyond the blade of the skate, and the “shoulder” is where the blade connects to the body. When they shoot the puck, it is considered a “forehand shot” since it is being fired toward the goal with their arm extended. A backhand shot is performed with the arms folded across the chest. Finally, a roundhand shot is executed with the arm raised above the head. This type of shot is used when throwing a disk or when shooting at a target.
- The stick is related to the delay of game penalty because it’s the player’s hands that carry out most of the work during a hockey game. Even when the players are not handling the puck, they are always holding it in their hands. When the play stops due to a delay of game penalty, the players usually need to remove their hands from the puck before resuming the game. This is why a penalty is usually assessed for delays of game when the puck is changed, at the end of a shift, or when the play stops due to a penalty or misconduct.
- If a player deliberately bumps or steps on an opponent’s foot, hands, or other body part to prevent them from skating, this is called a foot-skating or body-blocking penalty. The offending player will get a minor penalty for instigating a fight (careless, fighting, etc.). If these actions cause a player to be ejected from the game, it is considered a goalie interference infraction and the player will receive a major penalty for leaving their assigned area.
To summarize, we’ve discussed how the equipment is related to the three major penalties in hockey: delay of game, fighting, and goalie interference. These are the most common penalties in hockey, and they’re all related to the equipment used by the players. As a result, it’s not a surprise that most of the penalties are assessed for these three areas. If you’re curious about how one of these penalties is assessed, check out the FAQ section below.
The Most Commonly Infracted Offenses In Hockey
The most commonly infracted offenses in hockey are: