Spitting and offensive language: game disqualification
Rule numbers: NCAA 79.3 NCAA 79.5 ACHA Manual Part Three, Art. II, Sec. 1(C)
The 2026-28 NCAA book renames 79.3 Offensive Language. It covers profane, threatening or vulgar remarks, and derogatory comments about a person's race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or disability. The NCAA penalty is a major and game disqualification, with medical personnel referred to supplementary discipline instead; the ACHA additions list it as a game disqualification. Spitting on an official, a player or a non-playing person is a major and game disqualification under 79.5, and the ACHA Manual (Part Three, Art. II, Sec. 1(C)) has long made spitting at an opponent, a fan or an official an automatic game disqualification. Under NCAA 23.1, a disqualification includes a five-minute major served by a substitute.
A player shall not spit on an official, player or non-playing person.
- On the ice
- The player is removed for the rest of the game; the team is shorthanded for five minutes.
- Clock
- 5:00 served by a substitute who enters the box immediately.
- Scoresheet
- Disqualification, with the rule number, plus the report.
Example
A player directs a derogatory remark about an opponent's religion. The referee assesses a major and disqualification under 79.3.
Common mistake: Treating offensive language as an unsportsmanlike minor, or forgetting the substitute for the five-minute major.
Sources
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 79.3, 79.5, p. 87 (PDF p. 90)
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 23.1, pp. 39-40 (PDF pp. 42-43)
- ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026), Rule 79.3, 79.5, p. 4
- ACHA Manual, 2026-27 Season (FINAL 8-10-2026), Part Three, Art. II, Sec. 1(C), PDF p. 36
Verified