Hockey Rules & Power Play

In the game of hockey, power plays are awarded to a team when a penalty is committed against it. Power plays generally last two or four minutes (depending on the call) but sometimes can last a five full minutes of game time. When a penalty is called, the team committing the infraction must send the guilty player to the penalty box and the opposing team plays with one or two more players for the duration of the penalty. This is called a power play. The referee is responsible for calling penalties, but some calls may be made by a linesman if the infraction is blatant and the referee (one or both, in the case of NHL play) misses the call.

  1. Minor Penalties

    • Minor penalties are the most frequently called and award an opposing team two minutes of power play time.

      Minor penalties are the most frequently called penalties in hockey. The team committing a minor penalty loses a player for two minutes (or until the opposing team scores a goal) and is forced to play shorthanded. The most common minor penalties include tripping, hooking (using the stick to slow or impede an opposing player), high-sticking, delay of game, roughing, slashing and cross-checking. Less frequently called penalties (some can be considered for double minor and, in some cases, major penalties) are for closing a hand over the puck, boarding (running an opposing player with excessive force into the boards), charging (taking an excessive amount of strides before hitting an opposing player) and unsportsmanlike conduct. Minors can also be awarded for bench penalties, such as one team having too many men on the ice.

    Double Minors

    • Double minors lead to four-minute power plays.

      Double minor penalties are called when an infraction is deemed by the referee to be more serious than a simple minor, but not serious enough to merit a major (five-minute) penalty. A double minor lasts four minutes and the team with the extra skater can score a total of two times during a double minor, provided it scores the first goal within the first two minutes of the power play. Double minors are most often given for high sticking calls when the offended player is cut or shows some visible sign of bleeding. Players can also be given double minors for roughing. The degree of the penalty is solely up to the ref's discretion.

    Major Penalties

    • Major penalties can also incur fines and suspensions.

      Major penalties come with a five-minute sentence. A team that has a five-minute power play can score as many times as it is able. The offending player must serve the entirety of a major penalty. Majors are most commonly given to players for fighting (which usually doesn't affect the number of players on the ice), but occasionally a five-minute major power play is awarded for a serious infraction. Usually a major is given when there is intent to harm another player. Some infractions carry an automatic major penalty, like spearing (using the butt-end of the stick as a weapon). While some plays that cause obvious injuries are not automatic majors, many have an "unwritten" sentence of five minutes. The most serious of these occurs when a player is hit from behind into the boards. Depending on the severity of the penalty, the guilty player may even be considered by the league for suspension and other disciplinary actions.

    5-on-3 Power Plays

    • A 5-on-3 power play occurs when two or more penalty times overlap.

      A five-on-three occurs when a team is called for more than one penalty and the time of the penalties overlap. A team down two men must play against the full complement of the opposing team. The team on the power play has a much better advantage and, depending on how much overlapping power play time is available, is statistically more likely to score on a five-on-three power play.