NHL Rulebook
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Rule 51  Delaying the Game

  1. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who delays the game by deliberately shooting or batting the puck with his stick outside the playing area.

    (NEW for 2005-06)(NOTE 1) When any player, while in his defending zone, shoots the puck directly (non-deflected) out of the playing surface, except where there is no glass, a penalty shall be assessed for delaying the game. When the puck is shot into the players' bench, the penalty will not apply. When the puck is shot over the glass 'behind' the players' bench, the penalty will be assessed.

    (NOTE 2) This penalty shall also apply when a player or goalkeeper deliberately bats or shoots the puck with his stick outside the playing area after a stoppage of play.

  2. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who throws or deliberately bats the puck with his hand or stick outside the playing area.
  3. A minor penalty shall be imposed on any player (including the goalkeeper) who delays the game by deliberately displacing a goal post from its normal position. The Referee shall stop play immediately when the offending Team gains possession of the puck.

    If the goal post is deliberately displaced by a goalkeeper or player during the course of a "breakaway", a penalty shot will be awarded to the non-offending Team, which shot shall be taken by the player last in possession of the puck.

    (NOTE) A player with a "breakaway" is defined as a player in control of the puck with no opposition between him and the opposing goal and with a reasonable scoring opportunity.

    In the event that a goal post is deliberately displaced by a defending player or goalkeeper, a minor penalty shall be assessed for delaying the game.

    In the event that a goal post is deliberately displaced by a defending player, prior to the puck crossing the goal line between the normal position of the goal posts, the Referee may award a goal.

    In order to award a goal in this situation, the goal post must have been deliberately displaced by a defending player, the puck must have been shot (or the player must be in the act of shooting) at the goal prior to the goal post being displaced, and it must be determined that the puck would have entered the net between the normal position of the goal posts.

    See also Rule 57(a) -- Goals and Assists.

  4. If by reason of insufficient time in the regular playing time or by reason of penalties already imposed, the minor penalty assessed to a player for deliberately displacing his own goal post cannot be served in its entirety within the regular playing time of the game or at any time in overtime, a penalty shot shall be awarded against the offending Team.
  5. A bench minor penalty shall be imposed upon any Team which, after warning by the Referee to its Captain or Alternate Captain to place the correct number of players on the ice and commence play, fails to comply with the Referee's direction and thereby causes any delay by making additional substitutions, by persisting in having its players off-side, or in any other manner.
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