Throughout the years, the game of Ice Hockey has gotten much faster. This leads to exciting goals, highlight-reel saves, and so on. That said, the game has put an emphasis on trying to protect its players, focusing especially on head injuries. One rule that has looked to prevent head injuries is the High-Sticking Rule. This article will explain just what High-Sticking is, and what is and is not considered a High-Sticking penalty.
- What is High-Sticking?
- NHL High-Sticking: Major vs. Minor Penalty
- High-Sticking Goals
What is High-Sticking?
High-Sticking is the name of an infraction when a player accidentally, or intentionally, makes contact with an opposing player above his shoulders. This typically takes place when two players are battling for a puck, one gains possession of it, and the opposing player will try to take it away via a stick-lift. Sometimes the stick-lift will miss and make contact with a player’s head. Following that, a High-Sticking penalty will be called.
How High Can a Hockey Stick Go?
The general rule of thumb for how high a hockey stick can legally go is shoulder height. If a players stick makes contact with an opposing player above the shoulders, a High-Sticking penalty will be called. If a player makes contact with the puck while it is above the shoulders, the play will be stopped, and a faceoff will take place where the infraction occurred.
NHL Rule #60.2
NHL Rule #60.2 states that a minor penalty for High Sticking is called when the stick of a player makes contact with a player above the height of the shoulders. A minor penalty of two minutes will be assessed to the player responsible.
NHL Rulebook Text
“A “high stick” is one which is carried above the height of the opponent’s shoulders. Players must be in control and responsible for their sticks. However, a player is permitted accidental contact on an opponent if the act is committed as a normal wind up or follow through of a shooting motion, or accidental contact on the opposing center who is bent over during the course of a face-off. A wild swing at a bouncing puck would not be considered a normal wind up or follow through and any contact with an opponent above the height of the shoulders shall be penalized accordingly.”
NHL Rule #60.4
NHL Rule 60.4 discusses match penalties. Sometimes a match penalty can be assessed for High-Sticking. In the opinion of the referee determines that a player used his stick to intentionally injure a player of the opposing team, the referee will issue a match penalty to the offending player, which results in them not being able to play for the rest of the game.
NHL Rulebook Text
“When, in the opinion of the Referee, a player attempts to or deliberately injures an opponent while carrying or holding any part of his stick above the shoulders of the opponent, the Referee shall assess a match penalty to the offending player.”
NHL High-Sticking: Major vs. Minor Penalty
Minor Penalties are called when a player accidentally makes contact with an opposing player above the shoulders. Minor penalties are two minutes in length. Major Penalties can also be called when a High-Sticking infraction takes place. A major can be called if the referee determines that the guilty player used his stick to intentionally harm the opposing player. The main indication of whether or not a Major Penalty should be assessed is if there is blood. If the player who was hit is bleeding, this will usually result in a major penalty being called on the guilty player. This will result in a penalty ranging from two to five minutes, in which the guilty player is not allowed to leave the penalty box, regardless of if the opposing team scores a goal.
High-Sticking & Where the Puck Hits
Regarding High-Sticking, where the puck makes contact with the stick prior to a goal is very important. For example, if a player has his stick above his shoulders, but the puck hits the portion of the stick that is below his shoulders, and goes into the net, the goal would count.
This also applies to situations where the puck doesn’t go in the net. If a player attempts to play the puck in the air and uses his stick to bat it down while it is above his shoulders, the play will halt. A faceoff will take place, although no penalty will be called.
High-Sticking Goals
If the stick makes contact with the puck, while the puck is above the shoulders, and goes into the opponent’s net, it is considered no-goal. No penalty will be assessed here, but a faceoff would come out of the offensive zone and into the neutral zone. However, if the pucks point of contact with the stick is below the shoulders, regardless of if the stick itself is above, and goes into the net, the goal will count.
As a longtime enthusiast and observer of ice hockey, my understanding spans both the evolving gameplay dynamics and the stringent safety measures in place to protect players. The accelerating pace of the sport has indeed led to a heightened focus on safeguarding athletes, particularly concerning head injuries. The High-Sticking Rule stands as a pivotal regulation designed to mitigate head-related injuries by penalizing contact above the shoulders.
High-Sticking, within the context of hockey, occurs when a player's stick comes into contact with an opposing player above the shoulder region, whether this contact is inadvertent or intentional. It commonly arises during intense puck battles, often when a player aims to gain control or disrupt an opponent's possession via a stick-lift, which might inadvertently lead to contact with the opposing player's head.
Understanding the permissible height for a hockey stick is crucial. The generally accepted standard is shoulder height; any contact above this level is deemed a High-Sticking infraction. If contact with the puck occurs above the shoulders, play halts, and a faceoff takes place where the infraction transpired.
NHL Rule #60.2 serves as the guiding principle for High-Sticking penalties, specifying that contact above an opponent's shoulders results in a minor penalty lasting two minutes. However, exceptions exist for accidental contact during a normal shooting motion or unintentional contact during a face-off.
NHL Rule #60.4 addresses more severe instances where a match penalty can be imposed if a player deliberately uses their stick to injure an opponent above the shoulders, leading to ejection from the game.
Distinguishing between Minor and Major Penalties is crucial in High-Sticking calls. A Minor Penalty ensues from accidental contact, while a Major Penalty may follow if the referee determines intentional harm, especially if the hit causes bleeding. A Major Penalty spans a range of two to five minutes and confines the penalized player in the penalty box, irrespective of any goals scored by the opposing team.
The location where the puck contacts the stick is pivotal. If the puck hits the portion of the stick below the shoulders, even if the stick itself is above the shoulders, a goal will count. However, if contact with the puck occurs above the shoulders and results in a goal, it is considered a no-goal situation, leading to a faceoff in the neutral zone without any penalties.
This intricate understanding of the High-Sticking rule encompasses the nuances of legal play, penalties, and goal validity, ensuring player safety without compromising the excitement of the game.
