Penalty shot in USA Hockey, NFHS, NCAA and ACHA rules
A penalty shot replaces a scoring chance taken away by a foul. The codes differ on what happens to the minor afterwards and how it is recorded.
USA Hockey Penalty shot under USA Hockey rules
USA Hockey 2025-29 rules (2026-27 season)
Penalty shot and the minor
The fouled team may take the minor instead of the shot. If the shot is taken, the offending team is not reduced in strength for the minor; a major still goes on the clock.
USAH 406(a) p. 89 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
Which goals end a minor
A power-play goal ends the minor with the least time left. A penalty-shot goal or an awarded goal does not.
USAH 402(c) p. 84 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey
Rule of the Week cards
- Penalty shot or the minor? The fouled team chooses USAH 406(a), USAH 406(b)
NFHS Penalty shot under NFHS rules
NFHS 2026-27 (page cites from the 2024-25 book where noted)
Penalty shot and the minor
The fouled team may choose the minor instead. If the shot is taken, the penalty is charged on the scoresheet with no time served.
NFHS 4-7-2; 4-7-8 pp. 24-25 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
Which goals end a minor
A power-play goal ends the minor with the least time left. A penalty-shot goal or an awarded goal does not.
NFHS 4-2-2; 4-2-4 p. 22 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS)
Rule of the Week cards
- Penalty shot on a breakaway: all five conditions must be met NFHS 4-7-9, NFHS 7-16-4
- Penalty shot or minor: the fouled team chooses NFHS 4-7-2, NFHS 4-7-3, NFHS 4-7-8
- How a penalty shot is run NFHS 4-7-4, NFHS 4-7-5, NFHS 4-7-6, NFHS 4-7-7
NCAA Penalty shot under NCAA rules
NCAA 2026-28 rules (IH28)
Penalty shot and the minor
The fouled team may take a minor instead when no major, disqualification or misconduct is involved. For a double-minor foul, the first minor is dropped and the second is always served.
NCAA 25.1; 25.7 pp. 40-43 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
Which goals end a minor
A power-play goal ends the minor with the least time left, and so does an awarded goal. A penalty-shot goal does not, and coincidental minors are never ended by a goal.
NCAA 16.2 pp. 35-36 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28)
ACHA Penalty shot under ACHA rules
ACHA 2026-27 (NCAA Men's D-I rules + ACHA additions)
Penalty shot and the minor
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 25.1; 25.7 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Which goals end a minor
Same as NCAA.
NCAA 16.2 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026)
Rule of the Week cards
- Thrown objects: a penalty shot in the defending zone, a game misconduct out of the rink NCAA 55.3, NCAA 55.4, NCAA 55.5, ACHA Additions 59.1
Side by side
| Topic | USA Hockey | NFHS | NCAA | ACHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty shot and the minor | The fouled team may take the minor instead of the shot. If the shot is taken, the offending team is not reduced in strength for the minor; a major still goes on the clock. USAH 406(a) p. 89 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey |
The fouled team may choose the minor instead. If the shot is taken, the penalty is charged on the scoresheet with no time served. NFHS 4-7-2; 4-7-8 pp. 24-25 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS) |
The fouled team may take a minor instead when no major, disqualification or misconduct is involved. For a double-minor foul, the first minor is dropped and the second is always served. NCAA 25.1; 25.7 pp. 40-43 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28) |
Same as NCAA. NCAA 25.1; 25.7 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026) |
| Which goals end a minor | A power-play goal ends the minor with the least time left. A penalty-shot goal or an awarded goal does not. USAH 402(c) p. 84 USA Hockey 2025-29 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey |
A power-play goal ends the minor with the least time left. A penalty-shot goal or an awarded goal does not. NFHS 4-2-2; 4-2-4 p. 22 NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Book 2024-25 (page cites; the 2026-27 book is sold by the NFHS) |
A power-play goal ends the minor with the least time left, and so does an awarded goal. A penalty-shot goal does not, and coincidental minors are never ended by a goal. NCAA 16.2 pp. 35-36 NCAA 2026-27 and 2027-28 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Interpretations (IH28) |
Same as NCAA. NCAA 16.2 ACHA additions p. 1 ACHA: 2026 NCAA Major Ice Hockey Rule Changes and ACHA Additions (updated 8/27/2026) |