A second major means an automatic game misconduct
Rule numbers: NCAA 20.4 NCAA 22.3 ACHA Additions Rule 20
Under the 2026-28 NCAA book, and listed in the ACHA additions for every division, a player who is assessed a second major in the same game also receives an automatic game misconduct. The player is ruled off for the rest of the game, but a substitute may replace that player after the five minutes have elapsed. Because a major with a game misconduct requires a substitute in the penalty box right away, make sure the bench sends one before the face-off. Separately, NCAA 22.2 suspends a player for one game after a third game misconduct in a season; check how your ACHA division tracks that.
A second major penalty in the same game is an automatic game misconduct.
- On the ice
- The player leaves for the rest of the game; the team is shorthanded for the major.
- Clock
- 5:00, with the substitute already in the penalty box.
- Scoresheet
- Second major plus an automatic game misconduct; count majors across periods.
Example
A player who already has an interference major takes a second major in the third period. He also receives an automatic game misconduct, and a teammate goes to the box for the five minutes.
Common mistake: Missing the first major from an earlier period on the scoresheet.
Sources
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 20.4, p. 38 (PDF p. 41)
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 22.1-22.3, p. 39 (PDF p. 42)
- ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026), Rule 20, p. 2
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