High-Sticking

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High-Sticking is a penalized action in the sport of ice hockey where a player intentionally or inadvertently raises his stick above the hight of the cross bar of a hockey goal.

A stoppage in play results if a "High-Stick" comes in contact with the puck and the team who touched it regains control of the puck. However, play usually continues if a player touches the puck with a high stick and the opposing team gains control of the puck. If the puck goes into the opposing net after coming into contact with a high stick, the goal is disallowed. The level at which at stick is considered too high for a goal is the crossbar of the net. However, if a player knocks the puck into his own net with a high stick, the goal is allowed. A penalty is assessed if a player strikes another player with a High-Stick. The player is given a minor penalty unless his high stick caused the opponent to bleed, in which case the referee has the option to assess a double-minor, major or match penalty. It is up to the referee's discretion which penalty to assess, as the presence of blood does not automatically mean an extra penalty is awarded. It should be noted that some referees have been known to award an extra penalty without the presence of blood. In these cases, the referee determined that the injury sustained was sufficient to warrant a double-minor penalty, even though no blood had been drawn.