How Hockey Coincidental Penalties Work Explainer
Coincidental penalties are matching penalties assessed to players on opposing teams at the same stoppage. Depending on the situation and the other penalties on the clock, the penalized players may be removed without reducing either team's on-ice strength. Their time is recorded even though the teams continue with equal numbers.
The rule prevents a matching exchange of infractions from automatically creating two separate power plays. If one side also receives an extra penalty, that unmatched time can still create a manpower advantage. Officials and the penalty timekeeper align the penalties to determine which portions affect the number of skaters.
Players serving coincidental minors often cannot leave the penalty box the instant their two minutes expire. They may have to wait for the next stoppage because their teams did not play shorthanded for those penalties. This avoids an unauthorized player entering during live action and changing the numbers unexpectedly.
Major, minor, and misconduct combinations can make the calculation more complex, and the captain may need to designate a player to serve certain time. The scoreboard does not always show every coincidental penalty. The official game sheet remains the complete record of who was penalized and for how long.
No. Matching penalties can be recorded without changing on-ice strength, depending on the situation.
Yes. Unmatched penalty time can create a manpower advantage.
A player serving coincidental time may return only at the proper stoppage.
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