RULES OF THE GAME
RULES AND PENALTIES
Minor Penalties
Any player, other than a goaltender, will be sent off the ice for two minutes during which time no substitute shall be permitted. If the shorthanded team is scored upon before the two minutes elapse, the player in the penalty box is released. Minor penalties are the most frequently called penalties and are typically called for the following infractions:
 
Tripping Player uses stick, arm or leg to knock down an opponent.
High-Sticking Striking an opponent with the stick above shoulder level.
Slashing The act of swinging a player's stick at an opponent, whether contact is made or not.
Holding Player holds an opponent by using his hands, arms or legs.
Charging Player, as a result of distance traveled, violently checks an opponent in any manner.
Interference Player interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
Elbowing Use of an extended elbow to foul opponent in a manner that may or may not cause injury.
Cross-Checking A check rendered with both hands on the stick, and the extending of the arms, while the check is being delivered.
Hooking Using the stick in a manner that enables a player to restrain an opponent.
Boarding Checking an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.
Delaying the Game Player or goalie delays game by deliberately hitting the puck with his stick or hand outside the playing area or deliberately knocks the goal post from its normal position.
Kneeing Hitting an opponent with a distinct movement of the knee.
Roughing A minor altercation that does not warrant a major penalty (pushing and shoving rather than actual fisticuffs).

Major Penalty
Any player, other than the goaltender, will be sent off the ice for five minutes (a five-minute major) during which time no substitute will be permitted. Major penalties are assessed for many of the same infractions that apply to minor penalties except they involve a greater degree of deliberate violence that results in injury. The player who is serving the five-minute major must stay in the penalty box for the full time, regardless if a goal is scored on the "shorthanded" team. Any player who records three major penalties in a game is automatically ejected.