Abuse of Officials

A player is assessed a minor penalty for tripping and does not proceed immediately to the penalty bench while disputing the call. Should any additional penalty be called?

Yes, in addition to the original tripping penalty, the player must be assessed a minor penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Rule Reference 601(a.1).

The misconduct penalty (601(c.4)) for failure to proceed directly and immediately to the penalty bench applies in all other situations. In this instance, the fact the player is challenging or disputing the ruling of the Referee calls for the unsportsmanlike minor penalty to be assessed

Interference

A player who is about to come onto the ice plays the puck with their stick. However, that player has either one or both skates still on the bench. What penalty, if any, shall be assessed.

A minor penalty. Rule Reference 625(a.9).

A player’s skates must not be in contact with the bench in order for them to participate in the play. This ruling would apply whether or not the team has the correct number of players on the ice. In the case of a player entering or leaving the players’ bench who intentionally plays the puck with one or both skates on the bench, the same ruling would apply.

Offside

When the puck is batted with a high stick to a teammate who is offside, what infraction takes precedence and where is the ensuing face-off?

The high stick infraction takes precedence and the ensuing face-off will take place at a Defending Zone face-off spot of the offending team. Rule References 630(c) and 621(d).

As a general rule, the more “serious” infraction is penalized.