Delayed penalties: the third player in the box
Rule numbers: NCAA 27.1 NCAA 27.2 NCAA 27.3
If a player is penalized while two teammates are serving penalties, the third player's time does not start until one of the other two has elapsed. The third player goes straight to the box but may be replaced on the ice until his time begins; if the third minor is the goalkeeper's, a player from the ice serves it. While three are serving and a substitute is on for the third, none of them may return until play is stopped. The exception: when an expiring penalty entitles the team to more than four players on the ice, the timekeeper lets players return in the order their penalties expired. If two expire together, the captain picks. When a major and a minor go to the same team at one stoppage, the minor is recorded first.
none of the three penalized players on the penalty bench may return to the ice until play is stopped.
- Clock
- The third penalty begins when one of the first two expires.
Example
B5 has 1:20 left, B7 has 1:50 left, and B9 is called for a minor. B9 goes in and a substitute keeps Team B at three skaters. When B5's time ends, B9's two minutes start and B5 stays in the box until a stoppage.
Common mistake: Opening the door during play for the first expiring player while the delayed third penalty has just started.
Sources
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 27.1-27.2, p. 44 (PDF p. 47)
- NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28), Rule 27.2-27.3, p. 45 (PDF p. 48)
Verified