Understanding Ice Hockey: What is a Spearing Penalty?

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the country, but certain rules still tend to confuse a fair number of people. One rule in particular that tends to cause confusion amongst people is the spearing penalty. The penalty doesn't often occur, but when it does, it is a very serious offense. A spearing penalty is when one player stabs one of his or her opponents with either end of the hockey stick. This can easily cause injury, so the penalty is a very severe to the player the commits this action.

Unlike a lot of other penalties in ice hockey, there is no option for minor penalty in the case of spearing. The referee must automatically assess the player at least a five minute major plus a game misconduct. If the player gets a game misconduct penalty, then one of his or her team mates must serve the five minute penalty on behalf of him or her and the offending player will automatically be forced to leave the ice. He or she will not be permitted to return to the game and will also not be allowed to play in the following game. If, in the referee's opinion, the offending player intentionally tried to injure his or her opponent, then a match penalty can be assessed as well. If the player happens to receive a match penalty, then he or she is suspended until meeting with league board to discuss the punishment. The player will not be allowed to play in any league games before the meeting complete.

Spearing is such a serious offense that contact does not even have to be made for referee to call the penalty. It is clear, in the referee's opinion, the player attempted the spirit opponent, then the penalty is called as if contact is made. Any motion or gesture that looks like a spear will be called.

In order to know if the spearing penalty is being called, you will have to watch the referee report the penalty to the scorekeeper. He or she will skate over the scorekeeper, report the players number, and then give the spearing sign. The referee will take both hands, as if he or she is holding a hockey stick, and then make a spearing motion as if the stick was in his or her hands. The motion will be very quick, so you'll have to watch very closely to see it.