- When a player is fouled while on a breakaway, and the situation meets the following five criteria:
- The puck carrier is in the Neutral or Attacking Zone.
- The puck carrier has possession and control of the puck.
- The puck carrier has no other opposing players to pass (other than the goaltender).
- The puck carrier is tripped or fouled from behind, or fouled by the goaltender.
- The puck carrier must be denied a reasonable scoring opportunity.
- If during the last two minutes of regular playing time or at any time in overtime, a team is penalized for deliberate illegal substitution. (Rule 10.1 – Delay of Game)
- When a goaltender or any other defending player deliberately removes their helmet or facial protector during the course of a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone. When a defending player deliberately participates in the play without a helmet or facial protector during the course of a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone. When a goaltender in their defending zone deliberately removes their helmet or facial protector, blocker or trapper during the last two minutes of regular playing time, or any time in overtime. (violations of Rule 3.6 (b) & (c) – Protective Equipment, as well as Rule 10.1 (a) – Delay of Game)
- Where a goaltender deliberately piles snow or other obstacles at or near their net which, in the Referee’s opinion, prevents a goal while the offending team’s goaltender is legally on the ice. (Rule 8.3 (a) – Interference).
- When a defending player (except the goaltender) picks up the puck from the ice with their hand while the puck is in the goal crease. (Rule 10.2 (a)(v) – Handling or Falling on the Puck)
- When a player on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone is interfered with by a player of the opposing team who will have illegally entered the game or by a player or team official on the players’ or Penalty Bench. (Rule 10.4 (a)(iii) – Leaving the Players’ or Penalty Bench)
- When any player of the defending team, including the goaltender, deliberately throws their stick, or any part thereof, or any other object at the puck or puck carrier in the defending zone. (Rule 10.5 (a)(ii)(iii) – Throwing or Shooting Stick or Object)
- When a goaltender or any other defending player, in the defending zone, deliberately dislodges the goal from its position during the last two minutes of regular playing time, or any time in overtime. (Rule 10.1 (iv) – Delay of Game).
- When a goaltender deliberately dislodges the goal from its position during the course of a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone (Rule 10.1 (iv) – Delay of Game)
- When, in the last two minutes of regular playing time, or any time in overtime, the coach is assessed a Major penalty plus a Game Misconduct for refusing to start play, a Penalty Shot will also be awarded. (Rule 10.8 – Refusing to Start Play)
- While the Penalty Shot is being taken, players of both sides will withdraw to their respective benches.
- The Coach of the non-offending team may designate any player, other than the goaltender, to take the shot. This player may not begin the shot until the Referee blows their whistle.
- During a penalty shot, the puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot or the goaltender contacts the puck, the player may not touch the puck again. No goal may be scored on a rebound of any kind. Any time the puck comes to a complete stop or crosses the goal line, the shot will be considered complete.
- The goaltender must remain in their goal crease until the designated player touches the puck at centre ice, and in the event of a violation of this rule, the player designated or selected to take the shot will be entitled to take the shot over again.
- The goaltender may attempt to stop the shot in any manner except by throwing their stick or any other object, or deliberately dislodging the goal, in which case a goal will be awarded.
Note 1: The player taking the Penalty Shot may lose control of the puck momentarily but this is legal, as long as the puck continues its motion towards the opponent’s goal line. The same applies to a ‘spin-o-rama’ move, where a player completes a 360º turn; this will be considered legal, as long as the puck continues its overall motion towards the opponent’s goal line.
Note 2: With respect to a “rebound”, once the player has taken a shot and/or the goaltender has touched the puck, the player may not touch the puck again. However, the puck may continue with its own momentum across the goal line, in which case, the goal will be allowed.
A player is on a breakaway with the opposing goaltender in their net and the buzzer sounds causing a stoppage of play. The buzzer sounding was due to a timekeeper error or mechanical failure. In the Referee’s judgment, there was enough time on the clock for the breakaway to have been completed.
A Penalty Shot is to be awarded
A player on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone is fouled from behind and the Referee signals a Penalty Shot. Before the play is completed, a second infraction is signaled against the same team, whether it be to the same player or a different player. Is the penalty for the second infraction still assessed?
Yes, the penalty is assessed and must be served, regardless of whether or not the Penalty Shot is scored.
Two players are on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone and the player in control of the puck is fouled from behind, causing them to lose control of the puck. If the other attacking player picks up the puck, gets a clear shot on goal, but does not score, a Penalty Shot must still be awarded to the player originally fouled.
A player on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone is tripped or fouled from behind by an opponent, such that a Penalty Shot would be awarded. Before play is stopped, a player or the goaltender of the offending team throws a stick or any other object at the puck in the defending zone.
Award two Penalty Shots. If a goal is scored on the first Penalty Shot, cancel the second Penalty Shot. However, the appropriate penalty, as prescribed by the rules, will be assessed for the second infraction (i.e., Hooking, Slashing, etc.).
Note 1: A maximum of two Penalty Shots may be awarded to either one or two players (depending on the situation) during the same play sequence. If any further infraction that warrants a third Penalty Shot was committed by the same team during the same play, that Penalty Shot would be replaced by the appropriate penalty, as prescribed by the rules.
Can a player use a ‘lacrosse style’ move?
Yes, providing the puck on the stick blade not be raised or carried above the height of the shoulders; if it is, the shot will be stopped immediately by the Referee.
On a Penalty Shot, as the player approaches the goal, the goaltender poke checks the puck. The puck bounces past the goaltender toward the net. The player regains the puck and directs it into the goal. Is the goal allowed?
No goal. Once the goaltender has made contact with the puck causing the player to lose control, the player can no longer touch the puck. However, if the puck continues on with its own momentum into the goal, the goal will be allowed.
With regard to rebounds, Referees should apply the following guidelines:
1. The puck hits the goal post then goes into the goal - Goal is allowed.
2. The puck hits the goaltender then goes into the goal - Goal is allowed.
3. The puck hits the goal post, then hits the goaltender and goes into the goal - Goal is allowed.
4. The puck hits the goaltender, then hits the goal post and goes into the goal - Goal is allowed.
5. The puck, after being shot, contacts the boards or attacking player and then goes into the goal - No goal.
If a goaltender leaves their goal crease too soon on a Penalty Shot, the Referee will allow the play to be completed and if a goal is not scored, the player will be allowed to repeat the Penalty Shot. If it is apparent that the goaltender is trying to delay the game, they will be warned that a second violation will result in a Misconduct. Any subsequent delay would entail a Game Misconduct.
If the goaltender accidentally dislodges the net off its moorings prior to the shot being completed, a second Penalty Shot must be awarded.
Team A #10 is serving a Minor penalty. Another player of Team A, #8, is to be assessed a delayed penalty for Slashing. Before play is stopped, Team B is awarded a Penalty Shot, due to an additional foul by Team A. Team B scores on the Penalty Shot.
The penalty to Team A #10 remains in effect, and Team A #8 must serve the time penalty for Slashing.
Note 1: Goals scored on a Penalty Shot do not affect penalties being served or on delay. See Rule 4.2 (b) – Minor Penalties.
A player on a breakaway in the neutral or attacking zone is fouled in such a way that the infraction would incur a Major penalty plus an automatic Game Misconduct (i.e. slashing resulting in an injury), as well as a Penalty Shot, if a goal is not scored before the stoppage of play. However, the player scored on the Penalty Shot.
The Major penalty plus an automatic Game Misconduct is assessed, regardless of the fact that a Penalty Shot is awarded on the play and regardless of the fact that a goal may be scored on the play or on the Penalty Shot.
A player has been awarded a Penalty Shot. The opposing team requests a measurement of that player’s stick prior to the Penalty Shot being conducted. What happens if the player refuses to surrender their stick or intentionally breaks the stick when asked to surrender it for measurement?
The player’s team will be denied the Penalty Shot and the player guilty of this gesture will be assessed a Misconduct, as per Rule 10.6 – Illegal Equipment. Please note that the Minor penalty for an Illegal Stick would not be assessed, as that penalty is offset by the cancellation of the Penalty Shot.
