(a) Penalties shall be actual playing time and shall be divided into the following classes:

(1) Minor Penalties

(2) Bench Minor Penalties

(3) Major Penalties

(4} Misconduct Penalties

(5) Match Penalties

(6) Penalty Shot

Where coincident penalties are imposed on players of both teams the penalized players of the visiting team shall take their positions on the penalty bench first in the place designated for visiting players, or where there is no special designation, then on the bench farthest from the gate. (Note) When play is not actually in progress and an offense is committed by any player or Team Official, the same penalty shall apply as though play were actually in progress.

(a) For a "MINOR PENALTY," any player, other than a goalkeeper, shall be ruled off the ice for two minutes during which time no substitute shall be permitted.

(b) For a "BENCH MINOR" penalty one player of the team against which the penalty is imposed shall be ruled off the ice for a period of two minutes/ during which time no substitute shall be permitted. Any non-penalized player except a goalkeeper of the team may be designated to serve the penalty by the Manager or Coach through the playing Captain and such player shall take his place on the penalty bench promptly and serve the penalty as if it was a minor penalty imposed on that player.

(c) If the opposing team scores a goal while a team is shorthanded by one or more minor or bench minor penalties, one of such penalties shall automatically terminate (see Note).

(Note) "Shorthanded" means that the team must be below the numerical strength of its opponents on the ice at the time the goal is scored. The minor or bench minor penalty which terminates automatically is the one which causes the team scored against to be "shorthanded." Thus, if an equal number of players from each team is each serving a penalty(s) (minor, bench minor, major or match only), neither team is "shorthanded. "

(d) When the minor penalties of two players of the same team terminate at the same time the Captain of that team shall designate to the Referee which of such players will return to the ice first and the Referee will instruct the Penalty Timekeeper accordingly.

(e) When a player receives a major penalty and a minor penalty at the same time the major penalty shall be served first by the penalized player except under Rule 403(c) in which case the minor penalty will be recorded and served first.

(Note) This applies to the case where BOTH penalties are imposed on the SAME player. See also Note to Rule 408 (Delayed Penalties).

(f) When coincident minor penalties are imposed against players of both teams, the penalized players shall take their place on the penalty bench and such penalized players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their respective penalties. Immediate substitutions shall be made for an equal number of minor penalties or coincident minor penalties of equal duration to each team so penalized and the penalties of the players for whom substitutions have been made shall not be taken into account for the purpose of a delayed penalty under Rule 408 (delayed Penalties).

(a) For the first "MAJOR PENALTY" in any one game, the offender, except the goalkeeper, shall ruled off the ice for five minutes, during which time no substitute shall be permitted.

(b) For the second major penalty in the same game to the same player or goalkeeper, that player shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty in addition to the major penalty. This game misconduct penalty shall be in lieu of any required game misconduct penalty for the major penalty infraction and (except for Juniors) the player or goalkeeper shall be suspended for the next two games of that teals This suspension is in addition to any other suspensions incurred during the same incident Unless immediate substitution is permitted under the coincident major penalty Rule 403(c), the penalized team shall immediately place a non-penalized player other than a goalkeeper on the penalty bench and such player may not be changed.

Exception for Juniors only-the penalized team shall place a substitute player on the penalty bench before the penalty expires and no other replacement for the penalized player shall be permitted to enter the game except from the penalty bench; for violation of this rule a bench minor penalty shall be imposed.

(Note) In Juniors only-the Disciplinary Commit tee of the League or Tournament may impose a longer suspension or possible fines against the player's team upon investigation of the incident

(c) When coincident major penalties or coincident penalties of equal duration including a major penalty are imposed against players of both teams, the penalized players shall all take their place on the penalty bench and such penalized players shall not leave the penalty bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their respective penalties.

Immediate substitutions shall be made for an equal number of major penalties or coincident penalties of equal duration including a major penalty to each team so penalized and the penalties of the players for which substitutions have been made shall not be taken into account for the purpose of a delayed penalty under Rule 408 {Delayed Penalties}

Where it is required to determine which of the penalized players shall be designated to serve the delayed penalty under Rule 408 {Delayed Penalties1, the penalized team shall have the right to make such designation not in conflict with Rule 402 (Minor Penalties).

(a) A "MISCONDUCT" penalty involves the removal of a player, other than a goalkeeper, from the game for a period of ten minutes, but another player is permitted to immediately replace a player so removed. A player whose misconduct penalty has expired shall remain in the penalty bench until the next stoppage of play.

Unless immediate substitution is permitted under the coincident penalty rules 402(f) and 403(c), when a player receives a minor or a major penalty plus a misconduct, game misconduct or a gross misconduct penalty at the same time, the penalized team shall immediately place an additional non-penalized player other than a goalkeeper on the penalty bench and such player may not be changed.

Exception for Juniors only-if a player receives a major plus a misconduct penalty, the penalized team shall place a substitute player on the penalty, bench before the major penalty expires and no replacement for the penalized player shall be permitted to enter the game except from the penalty bench.

Any violation of this provision shall be treated as illegal substitution under Rule 205 {Change of Players) calling for a bench minor penalty.

(b) This subsection applies for Juniors only-A "GAME ELECTION" or "EJ" penalty involves the suspension of a player or Team Official for the balance of the game but another player is permitted to immediately replace a player so removed.

(Note 1) The Referee is required to report all Game Ejection penalties and the surrounding circumstances to the proper authorities.

(Note 2) For a Game Ejection penalty regardless of when imposed, a total of ten minutes shall be charged in the records against an offending player.

No player may be assessed a Game Ejection penalty after the midpoint of the third period or any part of overtime. If a player receives a major penalty which would normally incur a Game Ejection penalty, the Referee shall have no alternative but to assess a Game Misconduct penalty in lieu of the Game Ejection. A Game Ejection penalty may be assessed if associated with a double minor penalty under Rule 607(c)-Checking from Behind, Rule 608(e}-Butt-Ending, Rule 603(f}-Head-Butting, or Rule 634(b)-Spearing.

(c) A "GAME MISCONDUCT" penalty involves the suspension of a player or Team of Official for the balance of the game, but another player is permitted to immediately replace a player removed.

(d) Except for Juniors-a player or Team Official incurring a game misconduct penalty shall be suspended for the next one game of that team, except that when such penalty is imposed under Rule 6l3(d)(Third Man In) there shall be no additional game suspensions and under Rule 403(h) {Second Major in Game) there shall be a two-game suspension.

(Note) In all cases where a game misconduct penalty is assessed, the incident shall be reported to the proper authorities who shall have full power to impose further suspensions.

Any player (Midget age classification and below, including High School} who incurs five penalties in the same game shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

Any Senior player who incurs five penalties in the same game shall be immediately ejected from the game with no further suspension.

Any Head Coach whose team (Midget age classification and below, including High School} receives fifteen or more penalties during one game shall be suspended for the next one game of that team.

For Juniors only-A player or Team Official incurs ring a game misconduct penalty shall be suspended for the next scheduled League game.

(e) A "GROSS MISCONDUCT" penalty involves the suspension of a player or Team Official for the balance of the game, but another player is permitted to immediately replace a player so removed.

(Note 1) The Referee is required to report all grow misconduct penalties and the surrounding circumstances to the proper authorities immediately following the game in which they occur.

(Note 2) For all game misconduct and gross misconduct penalties regardless of when imposed, a total of ten minutes shad be charged in the records against an offending player.

(f) Except for Juniors-a player or Team Official incur ring a gross misconduct penalty shall be suspended from participating in any USA Hockey games and practices until the case has been dealt with by the proper authorities. A mandatory hearing by the Proper Authorities shall be held and a decision made relative to any further disciplinary action within 30 days of the incident. If extenuating circumstances prevent the proper authorities from conducting the mandatory hearing the suspension shall be automatically terminated after 30 days.

For Juniors only-there shall be two classifications under this rule-Gross Misconduct and Gross Misconduct U. A player or Team Official incurring a Gross Misconduct penalty shall be suspended for the next scheduled League game, and for the next three scheduled League games for a Gross Misconduct If. In either case, said player or Team Official may be subject to further suspension following a hearing at the discretion of the proper authorities.

(g) If any Team Official is-assessed a game misconduct or a gross misconduct penalty, he may not sit near the bench of his team, nor in any way attempt to direct the play of his team.

(a) A "MATCH" penalty involves the suspension of a player for the balance of the game, and the offender shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately Unless immediate substitution is permitted under the coincident penalty rules 4031c) and 4051b), the penalized team shall immediately place a non-penalized player other than a goalkeeper on the penalty bench to serve the time portion {five minutes) of the match penalty, as prescribed by the applicable rule, and such player may not be changed. The player shall also serve any additional minor or major penalty assessed to the offending player unless immediate substitution is permitted under the coincident penalty rules 402(f) and 403(c}.

For Juniors only-such substitute player must enter the penalty bench in accordance with Rule 404(a).

(Note) For all "MATCH" penalties, regardless of when imposed, or prescribed additional penalties, a total of ten minutes shall be charged in the records against the offending player.

(b) When coincident match penalties have been imposed or when any combination of coincident major and match penalties have been imposed on a player or players of both teams, Rule 403(c) covering coincident major penalties will be applicable with respect to player substitutions.

(c) Except for Juniors-A player incurring a match penalty shall be suspended from participating in any USA Hockey games and practices until his case has been dealt with by the proper authorities A mandatory hearing by the proper authorities shall be held and a decision made relative to any further disciplinary action within 30 days of the incident. If extenuating circumstances prevent the proper authorities from conducting the mandatory hearing the player shall be automatically reinstated after 30 days.

For Juniors only-A player incurring a match penalty shall be suspended for the next two League games, plus a hearing {the player may be subject to further suspensions

(Note) The Referee is required to report all match penalties and the surrounding circumstances to the proper authorities immediately following the game in which they occur.

(a) Any infraction of the roles which calls for a "Penalty Shot" shall be taken as follows:

The Referee shall cause to be announced over the public address system the name of the player designated by him or selected by the team entitled to take the shot Was appropriate) and shall then place the puck on the center face-off spot and the player talking the shot will, on the instruction of the Referee, play the puck from there and shall attempt to score on the goalkeeper. Once the player taking the shot has touched the puck, it must be kept in motion towards the opponent's goal line and once it is shot the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind and any time the puck crosses the goal line the shot shall be considered complete.

Only a player designated as a goalkeeper, substitute goalkeeper or temporary goalkeeper (see Glossary) may defend against a penalty shot.

(b) The goalkeeper must remain in his crease until the player taking the penalty shot has touched the puck and in the event of violation of this rule or any foul committed by a goalkeeper the Referee shall allow the shot to be taken and if the shot fails he shall permit the penalty shot to be taken again.

The goalkeeper may attempt to stop the shot in any manner except by throwing his stick or any object, in which case a minor penalty shall be assessed to the goalkeeper, whether or not a goal is scored on the penalty shot.

(Note) See Rule 636 (Throwing Stick).

(c) In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 609(c)-deliberately displacing goalpost or removing helmet/face mask during a break away, Rule 621(f)-interference, under Rule 625(g)-for illegal entry into the game, under Rule 636(a)-for throwing a stick and under Rule 639(c)-for fouling from behind, the Referee shall designate the player who has been fouled as the player who shall take the penalty shot.

In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded under Rule 205(c)-deliberate illegal substitution with less than two minutes remaining in regulation time or anytime during overtime, under Rule 609(c)-deliberately displacing goalpost with less than two minutes remaining in regulation time or anytime during overtime, Rule 612(c)-falling on the puck in the crease or Rule 616(d)-picking up the puck from the crease area, the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players on the ice at the time the foul was committed. Such selection shall be reported to the Referee and cannot be changed.

If by reason of injury the player designated by the Referee to take the penalty shot is unable to do so within a reasonable time, the shot may be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players on the ice at the time the foul was committed. Such selection shall be reported to the Referee and cannot be changed.

If the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as would normally incur a minor or bench minor penalty, the non-offending team may, prior to the penalty shot, elect that the minor or bench minor penalty be assessed to the offending player or team in lieu of the penalty shot.

(d) Should the player in respect to whom a penalty shot has been awarded himself commit a foul in connection with the same play or circumstances, either before or after the penalty shot has been awarded be designated to take the shot, he shall first be permitted to do so before being sent to the penalty bench to serve the penalty, except when such a penalty is for a game misconduct, gross misconduct or match penalty, or Game EJ penalty in Juniors, in which case the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players on the ice at the time the foul was committed.

If, at the time a penalty shot is awarded, the goalkeeper of the penalized team has been removed from the ice for another player, the goalkeeper shall be permitted to return to the ice before the penalty shot is taken.

(e) While the penalty shot is being taken, players of both sides shall withdraw to the sides of the rink and beyond the center red line.

(f) If, while the penalty shot is being taken, any player of the opposing team shall have by some action interfered with or distracted the player taking the shot and because of such action the shot should have failed, a second attempt shall be permitted and the Referee shall impose a misconduct penalty on the player so interfering or distracting

(g) If a goal is scored from a penalty shot, the puck shall be faced at center ice in the usual way. If a goal is not scored, the puck shall be faced at either of the end face-off spots in the zone in which the penalty shot has been tried.

(h) Whether or not a goal is scored from a penalty shot, if the offense for which the penalty shot was awarded was such as to incur:

(1) a major, match or misconduct penalty, such penalty shall be imposed in addition to the penalty shot.

(2) a minor or bench minor penalty, the offending team shall not be reduced in on-ice strength as a result.

(i) If the foul upon which the penalty shot is based occurs during actual playing time, the penalty shot shall be awarded and taken immediately in the usual manner, notwithstanding any delay occasioned by a slow whistle by the Referee to permit the play to be completed which delay results in the expiration of the regular playing time in any period. The time required for the taking of a penalty shot shall not be included in the regular playing time or any overtime.

(a) A goalkeeper shall not be sent to the penalty bench for an offense which incurs a minor, major or misconduct penalty, but instead any of these penalties shall be sewed by another member of his team who was on the ice when the offense was committed, such player to be designated by the Manager or Coach of the offending team through the Captain and such substitute shall not be changed.

(b) Should a goalkeeper incur a game misconduct penalty, his place will be taken by a member of his own team, or by a substitute or temporary goalkeeper who is available, and such player will be allowed the goalkeeper's full equipment. He shall also be suspended under the appropriate game misconduct rule (404(d)).

(c) Should a goalkeeper incur a match penalty, his place will be taken by a member of his own team, or by a substitute goalkeeper who is available, and such player will be allowed the goalkeeper's equipment. However any additional penalties as specifically called for by the individual rules covering match penalties will apply, and the offending team shall be penalized accordingly; such additional penalty to be sewed by another member of the team on the ice at the time the offense was committed, said player to be designated by the Manager or Coach of the offending team through the Captain.

(d) A minor penalty shall be imposed on a goalkeeper who leaves the immediate vicinity of his crease during an altercation.

{Note) All penalties imposed on a goalkeeper} regardless of who serves the penalty, or any substitution, shall be charged in the records against the goalkeeper.

(e) If a goalkeeper deliberately participates in the plaid in any manner when he is beyond the center red line, a minor penalty shall be imposed upon hills

(a) If a third player of any team shall be penalized while two players of the same team are serving penalties, the penalty time of the third player shall not commence until the penalty time of one of the two players already penalized shall have elapsed Nevertheless, the third player penalized must at once proceed to the penalty bench and may be replaced by a substitute until such time as the penalty time of the penalized player shall commence.

(b) When any team shall have three players serving penalties at the same time and because of the delayed penalty rule a substitute for the third offender is on the ice, none of the three penalized players on the penalty bench may return to the ice until play has been stopped. When play has been stopped, the player whose full penalty has expired may return to the play.

Provided, however, that the Penalty Timekeeper shall permit the return to the ice in the order of expiration of their penalties, of a player or players when by reason of the expiration of their penalties the penalized team is entitled to have more than four players on the ice.

(c) In the case of delayed penalties, the Referee shall instruct the Penalty Timekeeper that the penalized players whose penalties have expired shall only be allowed to return to the ice when there is a stoppage of play.

When the penalties of two players of the same team will expire at the same time the Captain of that team will designate to the Referee which of such players will return to the ice first and the Referee will instruct the Penalty Timekeeper accordingly.

When a major and a minor penalty are imposed at the same time on players of the same team, the Penalty Timekeeper shall record the minor as being the first of such penalties.

(Note) This applies to the case where the two penalties are imposed on DIFFERENT players of the same team. see also Rule 402(e) (Note), (Minor Penalties).

(a) Should an infraction of the rules be committed by a player of the team in possession and control of the puck, the Referee shall immediately stop play and assess the penalty(s) to the offending player(s).

The resulting face-off shall be made at the place where the play was stopped unless the stoppage occurs in the Attacking Zone of the player penalized in which case the face-off shall be made at the nearest face-off spot in the Neutral Zone.

(b) Should an infraction of the rules be committed by a player of a team NOT in possession and control of the puck the Referee shall signify the calling of a penalty by raising his arm and upon completion of the play by the team in possession will immediately stop play and assess the penalty to the offending player.

(Note 1) There shall be no signal given by the Referee for a misconduct or game misconduct penalty under this section.

(Note 2) "Completion of the play by the team in possession" in this rule means that the puck must have come into the possession and control of an opposing player or goalkeeper, or has been "frozen. " This does not mean a rebound off the goalkeeper, the goal or the boards or any accidental contact with the body or equipment of an opposing player.

The resulting face-off shall be made at the place where the play was stopped, unless during the period of a delayed whistle due to a foul by a player of the team NOT in possession, the team in possession ices the puck, shoots the puck from its Defending Zone so that it goes out of bounds or is unplayable then the face-off following the stoppage shall take place in the Neutral Zone near the defending blue line of the team shooting the puck.

If the penalty or penalties to be imposed are minor penalties and a goal is scored on the play by the non-offending team, the first minor penalty shall not be imposed but all other penalties shall be imposed in the normal manner regardless of whether or not a goal is scored.

(c) If after the Referee has signalled a penalty but before the whistle has been blown the puck shall enter the goal of the non-offending team as the direct result of the action of a player of that team, the goal shall be allowed and the penalty signalled shall be imposed in the normal manner.

(d) If the Referee signals an additional minor penalty(s) against a team that is already shorthanded because of one or more minor or bench minor penalties, and a goal is scored by the non-offending team before the whistle is blown, the goal shall be allowed, the delayed penalty(s) shall be assessed, and the minor penalty already being served which caused the team to be short-handed shall terminate automatically under Rule 402(c) (Minor Penalties)

(e) Should the same offending player commit other fouls on the same play, either before or after the Referee has blown his whistle, the offending player shall serve such penalties consecutively.

(f) All minor and bench minor penalties occurring after a goal has been scored or during the stoppage of play when a penalty shot is being attempted, shall be served in the normal manner under this rule.

Rule 410 Supplementary Discipline

(a) In addition to the suspensions imposed under these rules, the proper disciplinary authority may, at the conclusion of the game, at their discretion} investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game and may assess additional suspensions for any offense committed before, during the course of a game, or any aftermath thereof by a player or Team Official, whether or not such offense has been penalized by the Referee.

For Juniors, the proper disciplinary authority shall be the President/Commissioner, Referee-in-Chief and/or a League-appointed person.

(b) Suspensions imposed during a USA Hockey State, District, or Regional Play-Off, or National Championship, must be served during that same Play-Off or Championship. If the length of suspension carries beyond that Play-Off for an advancing team, the Discipline Committee of the following Play-Off or Championship shall be the sole authority in determining the eligibility of the individual(s)

(c) For Juniors only-Suspensions imposed during a USA Hockey National Championship must be served during the same play-off or championship. If the length of suspension carries beyond that championship the Discipline Committee of the League shall be the sole authority in the determination of the eligibility of the individual(s)

(Note) Players who are suspended by action of the Discipline Committee, whose suspension extends beyond their eligibility for competition in the League, shall be served by the offending player's team in either of the following fashions:

i. The team may be fined up to One Hundred Dollars (S100.00) per game of the unexpired suspensions; or

ii. The team may choose to play "short" for the number of games necessary to serve the offending player's suspension.