Paul Stewart: Penalty Shot Mania

Excellent explanation, Stewy. Coincidentally I asked this same question of retired referee and now NHL supervisor Bill McCreary between periods of the Flyers/Lightning game on Saturday afternoon and got very much the same answer. He also said that in the days of the single referee system that penalty shots were probably called somewhat less often because the single referee was trailing the play and was thus more likely to give the potential offending player the benefit of the doubt if not sure that all five criteria were met. However with the two referee system, Bill said, there will always be a ref ahead of the play as well who is in a better position to judge and make the call.

As for your comment about the late Frank Mathers I couldn't agree more. Frank was a very good friend of mine for many years and was both one of the most outstanding hockey people -- and people overall -- that I have ever known. When he passed away in February, 2005, I was honored to be asked by the Bears to write the eulogy for Frank in the special program that the club published for the special Memorial Night held for him before the Bears/River Rats game at GIANT Center on February 27th, 2005 for which Mike "Doc" Emrick served as the MC. Anyone interested can read this eulogy entitled "Thanks for the Memories ..." on my HockeyScoop.net web site at http://hockeyscoop.net/fsm/.

Paul, the problem I have with refs deciding penalty shots based on the criteria you laid out is that "reasonable" is a judgement call. The other 4 are sure. So 1 ref may think a player got off a reasonable chance, while the same play ruled by a different ref is considered a penalty shot.

What would be your take on this rule augmentation: Allow a coach to call a penalty shot instead of a 2 minute PP once a game? A couple stipulations, only the player who the infraction occurred against can take the penalty shot. (A team could not have anyone take the penalty shot), this can only happen when it is 5 on 5 hockey. The reason I think this would be a good thing is that everyone thinks the penalty shot (or in today's lingo, the shoot out) is the most exciting play in hockey. Why not have an avenue to bring it into the game more as it should be instead of an exhibition that it has turned into?

Stewy, great insight as always, nice addition to HB. That being saidI don't understand your explaination of the double penalty shot. In this case how can you award a second penalty when as soon as McCarthy gained possesion of the puck play should have been blown dead and therefore no secondary penalty shot should be awarded. Yes, covering the puck in the crease is a PS, but doesn't play stop as soon as he touches the puck/gains possesion? Seems like splitting hairs to me.

BTW, What was the outcome of the shots?

Stewy, great insight as always, nice addition to HB. That being saidI don't understand your explaination of the double penalty shot. In this case how can you award a second penalty when as soon as McCarthy gained possesion of the puck play should have been blown dead and therefore no secondary penalty shot should be awarded. Yes, covering the puck in the crease is a PS, but doesn't play stop as soon as he touches the puck/gains possesion? Seems like splitting hairs to me.

BTW, What was the outcome of the shots?
- jtb3rd

Missed the first penalty shot, converted the second.

I just added to the blog a rulebook explanation of why two penalty shots were merited. I figure others may have the same question.

Paul, the problem I have with refs deciding penalty shots based on the criteria you laid out is that "reasonable" is a judgement call. The other 4 are sure. So 1 ref may think a player got off a reasonable chance, while the same play ruled by a different ref is considered a penalty shot.

What would be your take on this rule augmentation: Allow a coach to call a penalty shot instead of a 2 minute PP once a game? A couple stipulations, only the player who the infraction occurred against can take the penalty shot. (A team could not have anyone take the penalty shot), this can only happen when it is 5 on 5 hockey. The reason I think this would be a good thing is that everyone thinks the penalty shot (or in today's lingo, the shoot out) is the most exciting play in hockey. Why not have an avenue to bring it into the game more as it should be instead of an exhibition that it has turned into?
- powerenforcer

I actually think somewhat the opposite. The vast majority of penalty shots fail especially when awarded to players who are not very good at them. I think that a better idea is to give the coach of the team that was fouled the option to choose a powerplay as opposed to the penalty shot. In some circumstances this could give the team a better chance at scoring than the penalty shot would.

Not related to the specific topic but penalty shots in general: I feel that the shootout has make a penalty shot less exciting. It used to be a big thing when a player got a penalty shot. A chance to go in alone on a goalie with no one trying to stop you. Wow, that almost NEVER happened. Now, 6+ players get to do it almost every night. I know that it counts as a goal as opposed to the shootout, but it doesn't have the same allure, to me, that it once did.

I have always wondered if a 2 min pp is better for a team then a penalty shot, especially if they are winning at the time. I wonder what the stats are for successful penalty shots vs pp's are.
Also, say 2 mins left in a game and up one goal, it seems like it would be better to have a 2 min pp then gamble on a missed shot.

I have always wondered if a 2 min pp is better for a team then a penalty shot, especially if they are winning at the time. I wonder what the stats are for successful penalty shots vs pp's are.
Also, say 2 mins left in a game and up one goal, it seems like it would be better to have a 2 min pp then gamble on a missed shot.
- dansmail26

The USA Hockey rulebook actually has a provision for an "optional minor" in lieu of awarding a penalty shot. Once the penalty shot call has been made, the ref is to ask the coach of the team awarded the penalty shot if they would like to take the penalty shot or the optional minor penalty.

I have called a handful of penalty shots. Surprisingly, I can't say I have never seen a team take the "optional minor." I did a double-take when he chose to go on power-play, and actually re-phrased the question and asked him again to be sure. His answer did not change...