Understand Ice Hockey: What is a Match Penalty?

One thing that most hockey fans never get a chance to see if a match penalty. In ice hockey, a match penalty is rarely seen, as it is the most severe type of penalty that a player or team official can receive. It is reserved for the most severe breaches of the rules, including things such as attempting to injure an opponent, team official, or referee. However, there are other ways in which a player or team official can receive a match penalty, such as refusal to start play or any actions that are severely detrimental to the game.

If a player of team official receives a match penalty in ice hockey for any reason, then he or she will be forced to immediately leave the game and cannot return. If he or she has received a minor or major penalty in addition to the match penalty, then a player from his or her team will be responsible for serving the penalty on behalf of the player receiving the match penalty. The coach or captain, depending on the age of the players, will have to inform the referee who will be serving the penalty.

In addition to being forced to have to leave the game immediately, a player who receives a match penalty will be suspended from any future games until a disciplinary meeting is help. The meeting must be conducted within 30 days of the incident. If there are some circumstances that do not allow the proper authorities from conducting the hearing within the 30 day window, then the player or team official who received the match penalty will automatically be reinstated and continue to play in future games.

If it is a team official or coach who receives the match penalty, then he or she is not allowed to be anywhere near the players bench during the course of a game. He or she is not allowed to attempt to direct or coach his or her players and is not allowed to go over any kind of strategy during the game. Match penalties are very severe penalties, so it is unlikely that most fans will ever see one. However, when they do occur, they must be taken very seriously.

Sources:

USA Hockey Rules

Composite Hockey Sticks