Delayed penalty in USA Hockey, NFHS, NCAA and ACHA rules
When the team without the puck commits a foul, the referee raises an arm and play goes on until that team gets the puck. What happens if the other team scores first is where the codes differ.
USA Hockey Delayed penalty under USA Hockey rules
USA Hockey 2025-29 rules (2026-27 season)
- The whistle waits until the offending team has possession of the puck; a rebound off the goalkeeper, or accidental contact with an opponent, does not count as possession. USAH 409(a) (Note 1) p. 93 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
Goal scored during a delayed minor
The first signalled minor is washed out (no time served) but is still recorded on the scoresheet.
USAH 409(b) p. 93 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
Delayed (stacked) penalties
At most two players' penalties run on the clock and a team never drops below three skaters. Later penalties wait; players return in order of expiry, and the captain chooses on a tie.
USAH 408(a)-(d) p. 92 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
Rule of the Week cards
- A goal during a delayed minor: recorded, but treated as served USAH 409(a), USAH 409(b)
- Third penalty: a delayed penalty, and when players may return USAH 408(a), USAH 408(b)
- Delayed penalty, then a violation by the other team: neutral-zone face-off USAH 612(b), USAH 409(a)
NFHS Delayed penalty under NFHS rules
NFHS 2026-27 (page cites from the 2024-25 book where noted)
- The whistle waits until the offending team gains control of the puck. A rebound off the goalkeeper to the offending team is not control. NFHS 4-10-1; Case Book 4.10.1 Situation A 2024-25 book NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
Goal scored during a delayed minor
The first signalled minor is not served but is recorded. If the offending team was already short by a minor, that minor ends and the signalled penalties are served.
NFHS 4-10-2; 4-2-2 pp. 22, 26 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
Delayed (stacked) penalties
The same principle: never fewer than four players including the goalkeeper, two penalties on the clock at most, return in order of expiry.
NFHS 4-9 p. 26 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
Rule of the Week cards
- Delayed penalty, then a goal: on the scoresheet but not on the clock NFHS 4-10-1, NFHS 4-10-2
- Never fewer than four: stacked (delayed) penalties NFHS 4-9
NCAA Delayed penalty under NCAA rules
NCAA 2026-28 rules (IH28)
Delayed (stacked) penalties
The same principle: two on the clock at most, three skaters minimum, return in order of expiry when entitled, captain chooses on a tie.
NCAA 27.1-27.3 pp. 44-45 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
Rule of the Week cards
- A goal during a delayed penalty NCAA 15.1, NCAA 15.2, NCAA 15.3
- Delayed penalties: the third player in the box NCAA 27.1, NCAA 27.2, NCAA 27.3
ACHA Delayed penalty under ACHA rules
ACHA 2026-27 (NCAA Men's D-I rules + ACHA additions)
Delayed (stacked) penalties
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 27.1-27.3 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Rule of the Week cards
- Scoring during a delayed minor: the minor goes away NCAA 15.1, NCAA 15.2, NCAA 15.3, NCAA 16.2
See it on the rink
Delayed penalty: the whistle waits for control (NFHS rules): Away #8 trips a Home player while Home has the puck. The referee raises an arm and waits. A rebound to #8 is not control. When #8 actually controls the puck, the whistle goes, the clock stops, the penalty goes on the scoresheet and the penalty clock, and #8 goes to the box.
Side by side
| Topic | USA Hockey | NFHS | NCAA | ACHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal scored during a delayed minor | The first signalled minor is washed out (no time served) but is still recorded on the scoresheet. USAH 409(b) p. 93 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey |
The first signalled minor is not served but is recorded. If the offending team was already short by a minor, that minor ends and the signalled penalties are served. NFHS 4-10-2; 4-2-2 pp. 22, 26 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS) |
Not yet verified for this code. |
Not yet verified for this code. |
| Delayed (stacked) penalties | At most two players' penalties run on the clock and a team never drops below three skaters. Later penalties wait; players return in order of expiry, and the captain chooses on a tie. USAH 408(a)-(d) p. 92 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey |
The same principle: never fewer than four players including the goalkeeper, two penalties on the clock at most, return in order of expiry. NFHS 4-9 p. 26 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS) |
The same principle: two on the clock at most, three skaters minimum, return in order of expiry when entitled, captain chooses on a tie. NCAA 27.1-27.3 pp. 44-45 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28) |
Same as NCAA. NCAA 27.1-27.3 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026) |