Second major in a game means an automatic game misconduct
Rule numbers: NCAA 20.1 NCAA 20.4 NCAA 22.1 NCAA 22.2
A player who is assessed a second major in the same game now 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. Three related basics: when a player gets a major and a minor together, the major is served first; a major is never shortened by a goal; and when a major comes with a game misconduct, the team must immediately put a substitute in the box to come out when the major ends. A game misconduct by itself removes the player for that game only, but a third game misconduct in a season, exhibitions included, costs a one-game suspension, served in the player's next regular-season or tournament game against NCAA member opposition.
An Automatic Game Misconduct shall be applied to any Player who has been assessed a second major penalty in the same game.
- On the ice
- The player is gone for the night; the team is shorthanded for the five-minute major.
- Clock
- 5:00 major, served by a substitute placed in the box immediately.
- Scoresheet
- Second major plus an automatic game misconduct; count majors across periods.
Example
B17 gets a boarding major in the first period and a second major in the third. He receives 5 plus an automatic game misconduct; a Team B substitute goes to the box and returns when the five minutes are up.
Common mistake: Not counting majors across periods, or letting the player serve the second major and return.
Sources
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 20.1-20.4, 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)
Verified