5x5 or 4x4 after matching penalties

[OnDeck]

I am a baseball umpire and a LONG time follower of college hockey...and I have ALWAYS been confused by this: when both teams receive minor penalties on the same play, what determines if play restarts "5 on 5" or "4 on 4"? I used to think it had to do with whether the infractions occurred during play or after the whistle...or that it was different when infractions were simultaneous as opposed to one being retaliation...but after seeing several hundred games over the years, I've never been able to figure this out.

[RefWEB]

Originally Posted by OnDeck

I am a baseball umpire and a LONG time follower of college hockey...and I have ALWAYS been confused by this: when both teams receive minor penalties on the same play, what determines if play restarts "5 on 5" or "4 on 4"? I used to think it had to do with whether the infractions occurred during play or after the whistle...or that it was different when infractions were simultaneous as opposed to one being retaliation...but after seeing several hundred games over the years, I've never been able to figure this out.

It all depends on what rulebook you're using.

NCAA rules follow the "professional" Model......if the penalty box is empty, and one player on each team get a minor at the same stoppage, teams will restart 4 on 4. If there are players currently in the box, or if there are more than one player per team getting minors, then the coincidental penalty rule will apply (NCAA Rules 4.2 e, f and g).

In games played under USAH or Hockey Canada rules (for example), the coincident penalty rules ALWAYS apply.

[Welpe]

Thanks for responding RefWEB. I've been wanting to dig into the NCAA rulebook to figure this out but haven't had the time.

[RefWEB]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Thanks for responding RefWEB. I've been wanting to dig into the NCAA rulebook to figure this out but haven't had the time.

I'm Canadian, so I had to dig in the NCAA book to find the answer

[Welpe]

You mean Canadians aren't born with an innate knowledge of hockey rules from all over the world?

[RefWEB]

Originally Posted by Welpe

You mean Canadians aren't born with an innate knowledge of hockey rules from all over the world?

Canadians are born with an innate knowledge of the only rulebook that matters

Just like every American is born completely understanding the OBR