Game Rules

This page is a summary of any rules that apply to scorekeeping/timekeeping.

Common Times
These are some common times for games.

Nearly all youth games have a 3:00 warm up. High School varsity and Junior games may have longer warm-up periods.

Generally, if your game is scheduled to be 60 minutes long (one hour), then it has 12:00 periods. If your game is scheduled to be 80 minutes long (1 hour, 20 minutes), then it has 15:00 periods. For any game scheduled longer than this, please check the table below for league games, or the tournament/event section below for tournaments and showcases

Specific Times for League Games
'NOTE: You can identify the league that your game is for by hovering your cursor over your game assignment and reading the pop-up text. If you see a team name instead of a league name'', check further down the page here. If you see a tournament/event name, please consult that section further down the page here.'''

'''NOTE: The 2021-2022 MA Hockey annual guide has confirmed that Massachusetts has adopted current USA Hockey penalty rules, overriding the existing MA Hockey penalty time rule. The table below has been updated to reflect this change, with recent changes in bold text.'''

Leagues with new penalty times confirmed by league rules: NEGHL, EJEPL. For other leagues assume new MA Hockey/USA Hockey rules are in effect.

Non-sanctioned leagues such as the NESC Middle School league still need confirmation regarding penalty times.

Leagues
a * indicates that the scoresheet is supplied by the home team, not the front office, and the type may vary

Elite 9 prep ** note: Shows up as "Valley Hockey Midget Weekends" on assignments

Winter Middle School Leagues *** Note:


 * The NESC Middle School League and Valley Middle School Hockey League are two separate leagues, each with their own rules. Both leagues have games at NESC, however. Please see the table for a comparison of the two leagues' rules.
 * NESC has recently been classifying the Valley Middle School Hockey League games as Regular USA Peewee or Bantam games on the assigning website, helping to eliminate some of the confusion.

Links to full league rules:
Valley Hockey League

New England Girls Hockey League

Boston Hockey League

Elite 9 Hockey League

Eastern Hockey Federation (NOTE: please see table above for updated EHF penalty times)

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (High School)

NESC Summer Leagues: High School Middle School (NOTE: out of date for penalty times. The penalty times are now 2:00, 5:00, and 10:00)

Home Teams
If you see one of the following home teams listed on your assignments, instead of a league name, here is the league that they're associated with: Junior Railers ** note: The Junior Railers organization also has teams in the Valley Hockey League. Games labeled  "Valley Hockey League" are Valley Hockey League games. Games Labled "Worcester Jr Railers" are Boston Hockey League or Elite 9 games.

Tournaments/Showcases/Special Events
Tournaments will have their own set of rules and procedures. Often tournaments will have their own special tables in the front entryway or upstairs in front of rink 1. Also, tournaments will often post a rules sheet in the scorekeepers booths as well. Tournaments can have their own scoresheets, so you'll have to pick them up from the tournament table instead of the front office. Check to see if the tournament has an online site or information brochure linked from www.nes.com under the tournaments section, if there is one, they will often post tournament rules on their site/PDF.

NOTE: For all tournaments run by NESC, rules sheets are available at the tournament table. These rules are also available on this page.

For pictures of rules sheets for previous tournaments and events not run by NESC, please check this page.

Other Rules
The most confusing rules for scorekeepers to learn are generally rules related to penalties. Here are some not-so-common penalty situations that may confuse you. As always, if you have questions during a game, ask the referee.

Matching Penalties
Matching penalties are when two penalties are assigned to players from the opposing teams at the same time. For example, one player from the home team gets a trip called, while a player from the guest team gets a slash called. In this situation, the game continues at 5-on-5 play, with neither team being shorthanded. In this case you DO NOT put the penalties up on the scoreboard. Instead, calculate what time they're supposed to get out (if a minor, 1:30 or 2:00) and let the players know. The players exit the penalty box on the first stoppage of play AFTER their penalty stops.

Matching major penalties, while rare, are possible. The same rules apply except the penalty length is the length of a major penalty for the league or tournament.

NOTE: In some high level junior tournaments that use NCAA rules, matching minor penalties result in 4-on-4 play instead. Pay close attention to the referee and the resulting on-ice strength for each team. If the penalty situation is 4-on-4, both penalties go on the clock. The players do not have to wait for a whistle, and may go straight on to the ice when their penalty expires.

Power Play Goals
A common situation in hockey is when a goal is scored on a team's power play. According to hockey rules, if the team with the advantage scores, then the shorthanded team gets one player back. The referee will skate over and tell you the goal scorers, and now you are responsible for writing this down, adding the goal to the scoreboard, marking the penalty end on the sheet, and taking the penalty off of the board. This can be a bit stressful to do before play starts again. So here's a few pointers: NOTES:
 * Remember that the time the goal was scored is the same time that the player left the penalty box. When you write the score-time down, just use that time for both purposes.
 * It's more important to get the goal up on the board. If play starts and the penalty is still on the board that's OK. The scoreboard controller lets you remove penalties while the clock is running, so just do it when you get a chance.


 * This rule applies ONLY IF the team that scores has an advantage. If play is 5-on-5 or 4-on-4, NOBODY leaves the box. This means that matching penalties do not go out, as well as a player with a misconduct (more on that later).


 * This rule ONLY applies to minor penalties. Not major penalties or misconducts (except minor in a minor+misconduct).
 * If there is more than one minor penalty at the time of the goal, the penalty with the LEAST amount of time on the clock is terminated. If there are two penalties with the same amount of time remaining, the team gets to choose which player gets released.

Double Minors
A "double minor" is when one player gets two minor penalties on the same play. In this instance, both penalties are served by the player back-to-back, which means they're serving 4:00 of penalty time (or 3:00 if minor penalties are 1:30). As a timekeeper, place this amount of time on the scoreboard for the player to serve.

Please note that double minors are still two penalties (just served back-to-back), therefore they should occupy two penalty lines on the scoresheet.

If the other team scores on the power play that results from one of these penalties, follow these guidelines:
 * If the goal happens during the "first half" of the double minor (during the first of the two penalties), the player must remain in the box. However, their first minor is cancelled, and they only have to serve the length of one minor from the time of the goal. On the scoreboard, edit the penalty time to be the length of one regular minor (2:00 or 1:30).
 * If the goal happens during the "second half" of the double minor (during the second of the two penalties), the player may be released from the penalty box and the penalty is deleted from the scoreboard.

Please note that if a player happens to receive more than two penalties on the same play, any additional penalties will be served by another player on the team, starting at the time the penalty took place (you would not have someone serve a 6:00 "triple minor" for instance). In the case of three minors, for example, 4:00 would be placed on the scoreboard on penalty line one, and 2:00 would be placed on penalty line two, as another player on the team is serving that extra 2:00 simultaneously to the double minor the original player is serving.

Misconduct Penalties
Misconduct penalties are the most confusing penalties in the game of hockey. Here is some info about misconducts:
 * Unlike Major or Minor penalties, Misconduct penalties alone do not result in a team being short handed.
 * The penalty times for misconduct penalties vary drastically by league. Generally the referee will be able tell you what the rule is for the league your playing for. Also, the table above has some misconduct times for leagues I know the rules for. NOTE Just like matching penalties, the player does not leave until the stoppage of play AFTER the penalty ends.
 * When a misconduct penalty is assigned, it's often a misconduct added on to another penalty. This is THE MOST confusing part of misconducts. What this means is:
 * When a misconduct + minor (or major) is assigned, TWO PLAYERS will enter the penalty box. This is because one player has to serve the minor penalty that the other player committed. This means that:
 * When a misconduct + minor (or major) is assigned, put up a only the standard penalty for that team (minor or major). This is for the player SERVING the penalty that the other player committed. DO NOT put the misconduct on the scoreboard. This means that:
 * When a misconduct + minor (or major) is assigned, a team is short-handed for the length of the minor (or major) penalty ONLY. The rest of the time is 5 on 5 play.
 * On the scoresheet, write two penalties. One for the misconduct (write: misconduct) and the other for the penalty (example: boarding). Often, scoresheets will have two boxes for player numbers, one that says "No." and the other that says "Serv". For the first penalty line (the minor penalty, boarding) write the player who committed the penalty under "No" and the player serving the minor penalty under "Serv." On the second line, write "Misconduct" for the penalty, and write the offending player's number under both "No" and "Serv"
 * Calculate when the actual misconduct player gets out. Be sure to tell the player.
 * In the case of a minor or major plus a misconduct, the misconduct time STARTS when the minor or major penalty ENDS. This includes if the minor is terminated early because of a powerplay goal (misconduct time would start from the time of the goal).
 * If a power play goal happens WHILE the MINOR penalty is going on, the player serving the minor gets to leave. Misconduct penalties do not terminate from goals, because they do not cause the team to be shorthanded.
 * Additional note: some penalties like boarding are always a misconduct under USA HOCKEY rules, but not always under NCAA rules.

Here is an example of how a standard misconduct penalty is filled out on a scoresheet, with player 71 being assessed a boarding + misconduct, and player 10 serving the boarding minor: Note that even though Number 10 is serving the minor, Number 71 still has to sit for 9:30 (1:30 + 8:00) plus a whistle. The only scenario where this time is shortened is if the penalized team is scored upon during the minor penalty and number 10 gets to leave early. For more examples and information on how to complete a scoresheet, head on over to Filling out a scoresheet

​Game Misconducts (under USA Hockey Rules-regular season)
Not to be confused with a regular misconduct, game misconducts are when players are ejected from the game. The player must leave the ice and is not permitted back on the ice at all during the remainder of the game. In addition, under USA Hockey Rules, that player is not allowed to play in that team's next game.

Whenever a player is ejected, it's a good idea to write their number down, since after they leave the ice, you can't get their number

Game Misconducts are often accompanied by a Major penalty. Another player must serve the Major Penalty in a similar fusion that another player serves the minor in a minor + misconduct penalty (see section above).

When writing a Game Misconduct penalty, write the accompanying penalty first (if there is any) in the penalty section on the scoresheet. In the line underneath, write out the Game Misconduct penalty, including the player ejected and the time it occurred.

IN ADDITION: When a Game Misconduct penalty happens, note the event in the "Notes" or "Comments" area of the scoresheet. Include the team name, the player ejected, and the reason. Example: "Number 15 [insert team name] Game Misconduct for major hit from behind at 6:15 per. 3"

If the referees need to add any of their own comments they can do so right after your statement in the comments section. The comment ensures that the league or tournament easily identifies the event, and takes necessary action (this often includes excluding the player from their next game).

Note that referees must file an official report for a game misconduct penalty. If they ask you for a copy of the scoresheet, ask at the front desk for a copy to be made using the copy machine. Alternatively, the referee may just want to take a picture of the scoresheet using their phone.

Game Disqualifications (NCAA/NFHS Rules)
Under NCAA or NFHS rules, Game Disqualifications (often referred to as a "Game DQ") serve the same purpose as a Game Misconduct under USA Hockey Rules. The player is ejected from the current game and may not play in their next game.

Follow the same procedures as a USA Hockey Game Misconduct for Game Disqualifications

Game Misconducts (NCAA/NFHS Rules)
Under NCAA or NFHS rules, a Game Misconduct is a player ejection and suspension for the rest of that game ONLY. The player is still allowed to play in their next game.

You may follow the same procedures as a USA Hockey Game Misconduct, however keep in mind that the suspension is for the rest of the game only (in case any coach or player asks).

Match Penalties (USA Hockey Rules)
Match penalties are rare penalties and are similar to game misconducts. They are reserved for extreme major penalties, generally with intent to injure. Match penalties result in the ejection of a player from the remainder for the game and an indefinite suspension from USA Hockey until a hearing is held.

From a scorekeeping perspective, treat these penalties the same way as game misconducts. Be sure to add a note in the "comments" section of the scoresheet. The referees will need to file a report, and will likely ask for a copy of the scoresheet so they can take a picture with their phone.

Mercy Rules/Run Time
Some leagues and tournaments have what is sometimes called a mercy rule. This takes affect if a team is completely beating up (figuratively) the other team towards the end of the game. Often, this takes effect when the goal differential becomes greater than 5 or 6. If the rule takes affect the game becomes RUN TIME. You are told not to stop the clock, even if play stops. The only time the clock stops is if: When your game is under the mercy rule, you do not show any score on the board higher than the maximum score. For example, say the game score is 0 to 6, and the team scores again, making the score 0 to 7. Write the goal down on the score sheet, but DON'T put it up on the scoreboard. Then, let's say the score becomes 1 to 7. You may change the score on the board, adding one to BOTH teams, to show 1 to 7. Then, if it becomes 1 to 8, LEAVE the board at 1 to 7. If it becomes 1 to 9, it's still at 1 to 7. If it becomes 2 to 9, leave the board at 2 to 8, again only adding ONE to both teams.
 * 1) There is a player injury
 * 2) The goal differential falls below the criteria for running time.
 * 3) There is some other delay/rink issue not related to the game.

It's important to note in most cases, that penalties are STILL stop time, even while the game is run time. Use the [ENABLE PENALTY TIMERS] and [DISABLE PENALTY TIMERS] buttons to do this. See operating the scoreboard for more info.

NOTE: If an event rules sheet explicitly states that penalties are to be running time when the game is in running time, use [DISABLE PENALTY TIMERS] while putting up the penalty. After play starts, press [ENABLE PENALTY TIMERS] and let the penalty run keep running, even if play stops.

If the game falls below the run time amount, the game comes out of run time and normal policies resume (unless explicitly stated on a tournament rule sheet).

Multiple Penalties on One Team
NOTE: This section pertains to situations where you have many minor and/or major penalties up on the scoreboard for one team that are not matching penalties or misconducts. Matching penalties and misconducts do not get entered into the scoreboard, and do not result in a team being shorthanded.

If one team gets two penalties that result in the team being shorthanded, both penalties may be placed on the scoreboard, and will run down simultaneously. While both penalties are on the scoreboard, the team will play with three skaters on the ice. The penalties expire normally and the players are allowed back on the ice when their penalty is over.

If one team gets more than two penalties that result in the team being shorthanded, all the penalties may be entered into the scoreboard. However, hockey rules dictate that a team can never play with fewer than three skaters. This means that while you may have three players in the penalty box, the team will only be shorthanded by two players.

In reality, what's happening here is that the third player's penalty is "queued up" and waiting for one of the first two penalties to expire. As soon as one of the first two penalties expire, the third penalty will "jump" up on to the scoreboard and begin counting. IMPORTANT: This means that the team will continue to skate with only three players, and the first player (the player whose penalty expired) cannot leave the box until the next stoppage of play OR when one of the other two penalties expire. On-ice strength is always dictated by the number of penalties visible on the scoreboard.

If this rare scenario occurs in a game you're timekeeping, remind the team's coach and the player with the first penalty that they cannot leave the box when their penalty expires. This is the only scenario when a penalty expiration on the scoreboard does not allow a player to return to the ice. If the player exits the penalty box too early it's grounds for a too many players penalty, even if they're just hopping back to their bench.

Additionally, whlie the player's penalty is "queued" the time on their penalty will not be counting. When the penalty "jumps" on to the scoreboard it will have the full penalty time you entered when adding the penalty. This is correct according to hockey rules (be prepared, however, for potential confrontation with coaches and players who don't know these rules. This is a rare penalty situation, so be patient but firm with them).

The scoreboard can keep track of up to six penalties per team, additional penalties beyond three will "queue up" in a similar manner.

Penalties in 4-vs-4 or 3-vs-3 Overtime
Many tournaments have overtime rules that utilize 4-vs-4 or 3-vs-3 overtime. When penalties occour during these overtime periods, a team's on-ice strength never drops below three players. In a scenario when a penalty would result in a team having fewer than three players, an additional player is instead added to the opposing (non-penalized) team's strength. When the penalty expires, the player(s) are allowed on to the ice, and the game continues at the greater-than-usual on ice strength until the next stoppage of play, when play drops back down to the original on-ice strength. Examples:
 * If, while in a 4-vs-4 overtime, one team gets one penalty on the scoreboard, the teams play with 3 players on the penalized team and 4 players on the non-penalized team (just like you would expect)
 * If, while in a 4-vs-4 overtime, one team gets two penalties on the scoreboard, the teams play with 3 players on the penalized team and 5 players on the non-penalized team, when the penalties expire, the players may go directly to the ice and begin playing, even if the resulting play is 5-vs-5. At the next stoppage of play, the teams will drop back down to 4-vs-4.
 * If, while in a 3-vs-3 overtime, one team gets one penalty on the scoreboard, the teams play with 3 players on the penalized team and 4 players on the non-penalized team, when the penalty expires, the player may go directly to the ice and begin playing, even if the resulting play is 4-vs-4. At the next stoppage of play, the teams will drop back down to 3-vs-3.
 * If, while in a 3-vs-3 overtime, one team gets two penalties on the scoreboard, the teams play with 3 players on the penalized team and 5 players on the non-penalized team, when the penalties expire, the players may go directly to the ice and begin playing, even if the resulting play is 5-vs-5. At the next stoppage of play, the teams will drop back down to 3-vs-3.
 * Various combinations also exist if both teams have penalties following the rules above. The important thing is the teams never have less than three skaters.

Recommended Reading
This document, published by the Dane County Hockey Officials Association, provides a great overview of the different types of penalties in hockey, as well as providing details on penalty expiration guidelines for all sorts of penalty situations, ranging from basic penalties to very complex penalty scenarios. Once again, I take no credit for the hard work put into this document, however it has helped me gain a better understanding of penalties in hockey and what to do in certain situations.

Additional Reference
USA Hockey Rules 2021-2025

USA Hockey/NFHS/NCAA rules comparison chart