“Short-handed” means that the Team is below the numerical strength of its opponent on the ice at the time the goal is scored. The Minor or Bench Minor Penalty which terminates automatically is the one with the least amount of time on the clock. Thus Coincident Minor Penalties to both Teams do not cause either side to be “short-handed” - see
Rule 19.
If while a Team is “short-handed” by one or more Minor or Bench Minor Penalties, the opposing Team scores a goal, the first of such penalties shall automatically terminate.
This rule shall also apply when a goal is awarded. This rule does not apply when a goal is scored on a “Penalty Shot” (i.e., offending Team’s penalized Player(s) do not get released on the scoring of a goal on a “Penalty Shot”).
Minor Penalty expiration criteria:
(I) Is the Team scored against “short-handed”?
(II) Is the Team scored against serving a Minor Penalty on the clock?
If both criteria are satisfied, the Minor Penalty with the least amount of time on the clock shall terminate except when “Coincidental Penalties” are being served.
No penalty shall expire when a goal is scored against a Team on a “Penalty Shot”. When the Minor Penalties of two Players of the same Team terminate at the same time, the Captain of that Team shall designate to the Referee which of such Players will return to the ice first and the Referee will instruct the Penalty Timekeeper accordingly.
