Roughing tiers and the women's sucker punch
Rule numbers: NCAA 53.1 NCAA 53.2 NCAA 53.3
Roughing covers punching or slamming motions, gloved or bare-handed, usually aimed at the head or face, and pushing or shoving with unnecessary force; intentionally removing an opponent's helmet during play is also roughing. A scuffle too small to merit a major is a minor. An altercation in which blows are exchanged that is more than a minor but not a fight is a major and game misconduct. Excessive roughness, meaning an illegal act that may cause or causes injury, is a major plus game disqualification. In the women's game only, punching an unsuspecting or unwilling opponent in a way that could cause injury is a major (53.3), which the ACHA additions also list.
- Clock
- Minor: 2:00. More than a minor: 5:00 and game misconduct. Excessive roughness: 5:00 and disqualification.
- Scoresheet
- Roughing with the tier assessed; it decides any suspension.
Example
Two players trade shoves and one glove jab to the face mask after a whistle; neither act is worthy of a major. Both receive roughing minors.
Common mistake: Jumping to a fighting penalty for a single exchange, or giving only a minor when blows were exchanged beyond a minor altercation.
Sources
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 53.1, p. 64 (PDF p. 67)
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 53.2-53.3, p. 65 (PDF p. 68)
- ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026), Rule 53.3, p. 2
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