Five penalties in one game equals a game misconduct
Rule numbers: NFHS 4-5-1 NFHS 4-5-2
Five penalties to one player in one game, whether minors, majors, misconducts or a mix, bring an automatic game misconduct. A player given a game misconduct leaves the playing area at once and sits out the rest of the game, and a teammate takes his place right away, on the ice or in the box. Referees may also hand out a game misconduct on their own judgment to keep a game sportsmanlike. Penalties are counted for the whole game, not by period, so the scorer and penalty timekeeper should alert the officials when a player reaches four.
- On the ice
- The player leaves the playing area; a substitute takes the player's place immediately.
- Scoresheet
- Count every penalty per player; the fifth triggers a game misconduct entry.
Example
A Team A defenseman is called for his fifth penalty of the night, another minor. The minor stands, he is also handed a game misconduct, and a teammate goes to the box to serve the two minutes.
Common mistake: Resetting the count each period, or leaving misconducts out of the five.
Sources
- 2024-25 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, Rule 4-5-1, p. 23
- 2024-25 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book, Rule 4-5-2, p. 24
Verified