:: PlayBetterHockey.com ::
... Continued from previous page
- Too many men on the ice - Teams at all skill levels are affected by this call, and it's never a good one to have called on your team. Basically, this happens when your team doesn't change lines correctly and has 7 players (including the goalie) on the ice. This will result in a two minute penalty, giving the other team a power play -- that's a pretty hefty price to pay just for not paying attention to line changes!
- Delay of game - Goalies, watch yourself on this penalty! Many things can cause this penalty, and it will result in a two-minute penalty to a player on the ice. Goalies are especially vunerable to this penalty because the ref may want you to play the puck, rather than hold on to it, if there are no opposing players near you. Most likely, the ref will warn you the first time, so you can probably get away with it at least once. Also, be aware of your net and don't knock it off on purpose (unless you know the ref isn't looking).
- Tripping - Tripping can be caused by anyone, accidentally or on purpose, and it's up to the ref to make the call -- the ref will call usually only call it a penalty if it's on purpose, but that's not always the case. You should never trip someone intentionally, but sometimes, in the heat of the game, you may find that you feel the "need" to trip. Just be aware that if the referee sees you, you'll be going to the box for at least two minutes!
- Instigating - "Instigating" isn't a penalty in the rulebook, but it is the cause of many other penalties such as roughing, fighting, checking from behind, and tripping, among many others. Sometimes a ref will not call the instigator in a penalty, but will call the person who retaliates, which can be pretty frustrating. Most of the time they will call a penalty on both. Just remember to keep your cool in a game and don't instigate or retaliate.
- Two-line pass - This is also a fairly common call, although not as common in the higher levels (NHL) of hockey as in the lower levels. I believe it is something that is avoided by skillful and smart players. A two-line pass occurs when one player passes to a teammate and the pass crosses two of the three center lines on the ice. This play will result in a face-off near the spot on the ice where the player passed the puck. The only way to avoid this is to be very aware of your and your teammates' positions on the ice. Keep your head up!