Minor Penalties: 2 minutes/4 minutes
Stick Infractions:
1. Hooking will result in a 2 minute minor penalty.
2. Tripping will result in a 2 minute minor penalty.
3(a). Slashing will be a minimum 2 minute minor, up to but not limited to a game misconduct plus any additional suspension depending on intent and severity of the incident. (see majors section for more)
3(b). Slashing the stick will result in a 2 minute minor. This will be called on any excessive slash to the stick resulting in stick breakage, or knocking the stick out of a players hand.
4. Highsticking will be an automatic double minor (4 minutes), and depending on severity could result in a game misconduct and possible suspension. (see majors section for more)
5. Cross checking will be an automatic double minor (4 minutes).
6. If a player is tripped or hooked while on a breakaway and is unable to get a shot on goal, a penalty shot will be awarded.
Physical Infractions:
1. Body checking is a 2 minute minor.
2. Interference is a 2 minute minor.
3. Goalie interference is a 2 minute minor.
4. Roughing will result in a 2 minute minor.
5. Holding is a 2 minute minor.
6. Elbowing is an automatic 2 minute minor, depending on the severity of the incident, could result in more. (see majors section for more)
7. Charging will result in an automatic double minor (4 minutes) or more. (see majors section for more)
Delay of Game Penalties:
1. An automatic delay of game will be given when the goalie shoots the ball out of the playing surface or if a player shoots it out from their defensive zone. There will be no penalty accessed if it is shot into the players bench area or where there is no glass.
2. Team must be able to field a team of at least 6 players to start a game. If 6 players are not ready to start the game, they will be assessed a 2 minute delay of game penalty.
3. Intentionally knocking the net off will result in a delay of game.
4. A referee may use his/her discretion to deem anything intended to delay the game, a delay of game minor, especially in periods with "run time".
Other Minor Infractions and Penalty Shots:
1. Too many men- 2 minutes
2. Verbal abuse of official- 2 minutes
3. Unsportsmanlike conduct- 2 minutes
4. If a player is on a breakaway and is tripped up or hooked in any way that prevents the shooter from getting a clear shot, a penalty shot will be awarded.
5. A penalty shot will be awarded if a player on the defensive team covers the ball within the crease, other than the goalie.
6. If there is time for overtime, and a team who is already shorthanded takes another minor penalty, a penalty shot will be awarded in place of a minor penalty.
7. If a penalty shot would normally be awarded, but the offending team has pulled the goalie, instead of the shot, a goal will be awarded instead. (example: A player is on a breakaway and gets tripped not allowing the shot on an empty net, it would automatically count as a goal).
8. If a player/goalie throws his stick toward another player with the ball, the player with the ball will be awarded a penalty shot no matter where on the floor the incident happened.
9. If a goalie dislodges the net intentionally during a breakaway, a penalty shot will be awarded.
10. If a player is on a breakaway and the defending team commits an infraction worthy of a double minor, and a penalty shot is warranted, the penalty shot will be awarded as well a 2 minute minor penalty instead of just a 4 minute penalty.
Major (Match) Penalties: 5 minutes
1. Fighting.
2. Hitting from behind.
3. High sticking can result in a 5 minute major as a result of intent to injure, or if the player is cut.
4. Slashing may result in a major penalty due to injury and/or intent.
5. Elbowing may result in a major penalty due to injury and/or intent.
6. Charging may result in a major penalty due to injury and/or intent.
7. Physical abuse of official.
8. Butt ending with the stick.
9. Any intent to injure.
10. 3rd man in.
11. Leaving the bench to join an altercation.
12. Attempting to start a fight will result in a major penalty.
All major penalties are to be served by another member of the team, as all majors result in a game misconduct and suspension.
Game Ejections and Suspensions:
1. All majors result in automatic game ejection, 1 game suspension and $25 fine.
2. 3 minor penalties, or 2 double minors will result in automatic ejection. No further penalty will be called, nor will there be any suspension for such an ejection.
3. A player may receive a game ejection if he is deemed a problem or threat to the game, this is up to the discretion of the referee and does not mean a player will receive a penalty or suspension unless the referee deems it so. If no penalty is called, it will be deemed as a game misconduct for unsportsmanlike and no powerplay is given. However, a referee may deem a player must leave if there was an incident resulting in a penalty, and said player is a threat to the game. In this case there will be a penalty assessed, as well as the game misconduct, further disciplinary action may follow pending a league review.
4. Any player deemed to intentionally injure another player will be suspended indefinitely until a league review is conducted, at which time the league will inform the team captain of the length of the suspension. This will also result in a $50 fine.
5. Any hitting from behind penalty will come with a minimum 1 game suspension.
6. Any charging, high sticking, slashing, butt ending or elbowing penalty that causes injury will result in a minimum 1 game suspension. The length of the suspension will be dependent on whether it was intentional, and how bad the injury is.
7. Physical abuse of an official will result in a league ban. Any player who commits this offense will automatically be ban from the season and playoffs and will need to apply to be re-instated for the next season if he wishes to play.
8. Fighting is an automatic 5 game suspension, this also includes if you attempt to start a fight and comes with a $50 fine.
9. 3rd man into an altercation will result in an automatic 3 game suspension, a review will be conducted to decide if any further suspension should follow.
10. Any player who leaves the bench to join in an altercation will result in an automatic season ban. This ban will only be in effect for the season in which it happens. In the event there are less than 6 games, said player will be suspended for the first 2 games of next season, but will not need to apply to have the ban lifted for the following season.
11. Any player who amasses 2 major penalties in a season will receive a 3 game suspension. This will only apply to any major that did not result in further suspension. If a player receives a second major, where by the first resulted in suspension, said player will receive a season ban, unless of course a league ban has been imposed.
12. A player may also receive a suspension due to unsportsmanlike conduct, either at a referee's discretion or if a player continues to receive unsportsmanlike penalties. If a player receives 4 unsportsmanlike minors, he will be suspended for 2 games. Any major unsportsmanlike penalties also come with a 2 game suspension. If a player receives 2 unsportsmanlike game misconducts (where no powerplay was awarded, see rule 3 in this section) a 2 game suspension is given.
13. Any player who has been issued a fine by league will not be permitted to play until the fine is paid in full. Thus if a player receives a 5 game suspension for fighting and has not paid the $50 fine, the suspension gets extended until the fine is paid.
14. Any altercations in locker rooms and/or other arena property before or after a game, will result in an immediate ban of all players involved. Civil action may be taken as well.
SBHL reserves the right to suspend for infractions it deems as dangerous to other players and/or officials, or detrimental to the league in general, and all suspensions may be appealed for a $25 fee. If appeal is won, $25 is fully refunded. All suspensions are put in place to offer protection to the SBHL players in an attempt to keep a safe and fun atmosphere in which to play hockey. Also at any time for any of the above mentioned reasons, civil action may and can be taken to further punish any individuals causing a dangerous atmosphere. The SBHL is a non-contact, recreational league that endorses competitive spirit, but also demands that players have respect for all who are involved with the league, as we are not getting scouted for the NHL and are only out to play the game we love, so we ask that all players, officials and league reps respect the game and each other.