Ice hockey is known for its rugged physicality. It can get downright brutal at times, and the intense play often leads to numerous infractions. Referees must be firm when they're calling penalties or the games will spiral out of control. No two hockey games are ever the same, but players tend to commit certain penalties on a more consistent basis.
Roughing
Roughing may be the most common penalty in hockey. A rough occurs when one player gets a little too rambunctious and punches an opponent or engages in some sort of minor altercation. Roughing is a two-minute penalty.
Fighting
Roughing often leads to fighting. While some leagues strictly prohibit fighting, the National Hockey League gives each player a five-minute penalty for this infraction. The fighters are usually allowed to stay in the game. However, if the referee judges one player to be the instigator of the fight, he penalizes the player two minutes for instigating, five minutes for fighting and gives him a 10-minute misconduct. A second instigator penalty in the same game results in a game misconduct. Entering a fight as the "third man in" also earns a game misconduct penalty.
Slashing
Using the stick to chop at an opponent's hands or stick will earn two minutes in the penalty box for slashing. For especially vicious slashes, referees can assess a five-minute penalty.
High-sticking
Contacting an opponent above the shoulders with the stick earns a high-sticking penalty. A routine high-stick that doesn't result in an injury is a two-minute minor penalty. If the high-stick draws blood, referees typically call a double-minor and sentence the guilty party to four minutes in the box. An extremely flagrant or dangerous high-sticking infraction can bring with it a five-minute match penalty for intent to injure. The player is also ejected from the game and automatically suspended until the league reviews the incident.
Hooking
Hooking occurs when one player uses his stick to impede the progress of an opponent. Usually, the player hooks the stick around the opponent's waist. This is a two-minute penalty.
Holding and Holding the Stick
Grabbing an opponent's jersey or wrapping your arms around him to impede his progress will result in a two-minute holding penalty. Intentionally grabbing an opponent's stick will result in a two-minute holding-the-stick penalty.
Interference
Any action taken to obstruct or impede the progress of a player without the puck may result in a two-minute interference penalty. Interference often happens in the neutral zone, when defenders intentionally get in the way of aggressive forecheckers.
Tripping
Referees call tripping when one player trips an opponent with either his stick or skate. The trip, whether it's intentional or not, results in a two-minute penalty. However, if a player dives and sweeps the puck away before he trips the puck carrier, referees consider the play legal since the defender contacted the puck first.
Charging
Charging occurs when one player takes more than two strides to hit an opponent or leaves his skates to hit the opponent. Charging can lead to violent, dangerous checks, so the penalty can be two or five minutes, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Boarding
Boarding occurs when one player violently drives another player into the boards. Boarding, one of the most dangerous plays in hockey, can result in a two-minute, five-minute or even a game misconduct penalty.
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