Regel 19: Coincidental Penalties

When “Coincidental Minor Penalties” or “Coincidental Minor Penalties of Equal Duration” are imposed against Players of both Teams, the penalized Players shall all take their places in the Penalty Boxes and such penalized Players shall not leave the Penalty Box until the first stoppage of play following the expiry of their respective penalties. Where Goalkeepers are involved:
→ Rule 27.1 – Minor Penalty to Goalkeeper

Immediate substitution shall be made for an “Equal Number of Minor Penalties” or “Coincidental Minor Penalties of Equal Duration” to each Team penalized and the penalties of the Players for which substitutions have been made shall not be taken into account for the purpose of the “Delayed Penalty” rule – see Rule 26 – Delayed Penalties. This rule only applies when at least one Team is already serving a time penalty in the Penalty Box that causes them to be “short-handed”.

When one Minor Penalty is assessed to one (1) Player of each Team at the same stoppage in play, these penalties will be served without substitution provided there are no other penalties in effect and visible on the penalty clocks. Both Teams will therefore play four (4) Skaters against four (4) Skaters for the duration of the Minor Penalties.

Should one (1) or both of these Players (or any other Players) also incur a Misconduct Penalty in addition to their one (1) Minor Penalty, this rule shall apply, and the Teams would still play four (4) Skaters against four (4) Skaters. The Player incurring the Misconduct Penalty would have to serve the entire twelve (12) minutes – Minor Penalty plus Misconduct Penalty – and their Team would have to place an additional Player in the Penalty Box to serve the Minor Penalty and be able to return to the ice when the Minor Penalty expires.

When multiple penalties are assessed to both Teams, “Equal Numbers of Minor and Major Penalties” shall be eliminated using the “Coincidental Penalty” rule and any differential in time penalties shall be served in the normal manner and displayed on the penalty time clock accordingly - see Rule 19.5 – Applying the Coincidental Penalty Rule.

If there is no differential in time penalties, all Players will serve their allotted penalty time, but will not be released until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their respective penalties. For “Coincidental Penalties” that carry over into, or are assessed during Overtime.
→ Rule 84 – Overtime Operations

Summary of “Coincidental Penalties” – see specific rule numbers for complete descriptions.

When “Coincidental Major Penalties” or “Coincidental Penalties of Equal Duration”, including a Major and/or a Match Penalty, are imposed against Players of both Teams, the penalized Players shall all take their places in the Penalty Boxes and such penalized Players shall not leave the Penalty Boxes until the first stoppage of play following the expiry of their respective penalties.
Immediate substitutions shall be made for an “Equal Number of Major Penalties”, or “Coincidental Penalties of Equal Duration” including a Major Penalty to each Team penalized, and the penalties of the Players for which substitutions have been made shall not be taken into account for the purpose of the Delayed Penalty.
→ Rule 26 – Delayed Penalties

In such situations, if one or both Players have received a Game Misconduct in addition to their Major Penalties, no substitutes are required to take their places in the Penalty Boxes.

When “Coincidental Match Penalties” or “Coincidental Penalties of Equal Duration”, including a Major and/or a Match Penalty, are imposed against Players of both Teams, the Players with the Match Penalties shall be immediately removed from the game.
The remaining penalized Players shall not leave the Penalty Boxes until the first stoppage of play following the expiry of their respective penalties.
Immediate substitutions shall be made for an “Equal Number of Major and/or Match Penalties”, or “Coincidental Penalties of Equal Duration” including a Major or Match Penalty to each Team so penalized, and the penalties of the Players for which substitutions have been made shall not be taken into account for the purpose of the “Delayed Penalty”.
→ Rule 26 – Delayed Penalties

In such situations, if one or both Players have received a Game Misconduct in addition to their Major Penalties, no substitutes are required to take their places in the Penalty Boxes.

During the last five (5) minutes of regulation time, or at any time in Overtime, when a Minor Penalty (or Double-minor Penalty) is assessed to one Player of Team A, and a Major (or Match) Penalty is assessed to one Player of Team B at the same stoppage of play, the three (3)-minute (or one (1)-minute) differential shall be served immediately as a Major Penalty.

This is also applicable when “Coincidental Penalties” are negated, leaving the aforementioned examples. The Team must place the penalized Player or replacement Player in the Penalty Box immediately.

The differential will be recorded on the penalty clock as a three (3) minute or a one (1) minute penalty (as applicable) and served in the same manner as a Major Penalty. This rule shall be applied regardless as to the on-ice strength of the two Teams at the time the above outlined penalties are assessed.

When multiple penalties are assessed to both Teams at the same stoppage of play, the following rules are to be utilized by the Referees to determine the on-ice strength for both Teams:
(I) Cancel as many Major and/or Match Penalties as possible;
(II) Cancel as many Minor, Bench Minor and or Double-minor Penalties as possible.
Summary of “Coincidental Penalties” – see specific rule numbers for complete descriptions.