In hockey, penalties have an aggressor -- the person who throws a punch -- and an instigator, the person who may taunt the aggressor in an attempt to draw a penalty. Penalties such as roughing and fighting are dealt with in specific ways, and the differences between the penalties are more than subtle.
Fighting
According to the National Hockey League, a fight occurs when one player punches another from the opposing team repeatedly, or when both combatants wrestle in a manner that makes it difficult for the officials to separate them. Both combatants serve a five-minute major penalty without substitution in their designated penalty boxes. Any continuation to fight after a penalty is issued or served may result in a game misconduct or suspension, or a set fine if a fight takes place off the ice at any time before or after a period or the game.
Roughing
Roughing is the act of a punching motion being directed toward the face of a member of the opposing team, with a clinched fist, with or without a hockey glove on it. Roughing can also occur when a goaltender for either team clinches his glove and throws a punch at an opponent. This penalty is served as a minor -- until time expires or when the other team scores -- or as a match penalty, when the goaltender commits the penalty. It is determined at the discretion of the referee. No specific fines are assessed with minor penalties such as roughing.
Game Play
When a player serves a roughing penalty, his team plays short-handed by the number of players in the penalty box, and the other team goes on a power play that can consist of a 5-on-4 or 5-on-3 situation. Fighting penalties served by the players involved in the altercation do not affect the number of players on the ice. It remains 5 on 5.
Other Considerations
Any player assessed a third major fighting penalty in the same game is issued a game misconduct and will be asked to leave the playing area. Supplementary discipline for roughing penalties shall be assessed at the discretion of the NHL commissioner after the game. A player deemed an aggressor by the referees for the third, fourth and fifth time in one regular season shall serve a two-game suspension, a four-game suspension and a six-game suspension, respectively. Any deemed instigator shall be assessed an instigating minor penalty, a major penalty for fighting and a 10-minute misconduct.
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