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Game misconduct penalties represent a more severe punishment from officials for inappropriate conduct during a hockey game. Penalties are part of the game of hockey and often form an integral part of game play and strategy. However, game misconduct penalties most often reflect unsportsmanlike conduct on a level that can impede fair play and harm opponents.

Officials eject hockey players who receive game misconduct penalties from the game. These players aren't allowed to remain in the arena but instead, are required to retire to the locker room for the remainder of the game. Teams are allowed to substitute another player and the more typical incidence requires another player to serve a 5-minute major penalty in addition to suspended play.

So what exactly constitutes game misconduct in a fast-paced game full of shoving, pushing, hard hits, and speed? First, let's look at the types of players who often incur game misconduct penalties. These individuals tend to be instigators who provoke other players into fights. Rough play, sneaky pokes and moves when referees aren't looking, and antagonistic play often occurs. Some players let anger or competition get the best of them and incur unnecessary penalties.

Game misconduct penalties include but aren't limited to: abuse of officials, stabbing with the end of the hockey stick, checking from behind, clipping at the knees, holding of the face mask, joining a fight, kicking with skate or blade, and stabbing with a hockey stick. Arguing or cursing at officials, illegal equipment, and inappropriate gesturing to the crowd can also result in game misconduct penalties.

Two or more major penalties in one game can result in the calling of a game misconduct penalty. Overly aggressive play resulting in penalty minutes often indicates escalation or deliberate provocation. However, the game misconduct penalty is assessed specifically to the individual player, not the team.

Game misconduct penalties have far reaching results. Three game misconduct penalties result in a one-match ban preventing the player from any game play. Typically, players don't receive salary during these bans and fines are often assessed. Fines are donated to charities supported by the NHL. Consider game misconduct the equivalent of suspension for the remainder of the game. Repeated game misconduct penalties result in the more severe penalty of complete prevention of play for an entire game. The NHL Commissioner has full allowance to institute more severe penalties if he deems it necessary.

Regular players and goaltenders can be charged with game misconduct. And teams are allowed to request an evaluation by the NHL. The NHL must receive this written review request within 48 hours of the end of the game in which the penalty occurred. This is an absolute must for individuals who feel the penalty was too severe. The NHL will not address any game misconduct penalty issues after the 48-hour period.

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