Close Call of the Week: NHL Overtime Penalty Strength

Last night, a CCS follower asked a question about NHL overtime rules, specifically how on-ice strength is determined during the extra 4x4 period when one or both teams suffers two or more concurrent or subsequent penalties, as was the case during Tuesday's Kings-Ducks freeway rivalry game, decided in a shootout.

The Play: With just 29 seconds remaining in regulation of a 2-2 game, Kings RW Justin Williams received a two-minute minor for slashing against Corey Perry, giving Anaheim a power play to end the third period. The score still tied, the teams headed to overtime and four-on-four skating, only with the Kings down to three due to the wraparound Williams penalty. 27 seconds into the five-minute overtime period, Perry drew another penalty, a slash by Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell, who joined Williams in LA's penalty box.

Question: Is Anaheim allowed to skate with five during the overtime two-man advantage?

NHL's Table 20 - Rule 84 - Overtime Penalties

Short Answer: Yes, Anaheim is awarded a fifth skater because Los Angeles is obliged to add one skater to bring its on-ice strength up to three. (LAK 2 + 1 = 3 / ANA 4 + 1 = 5)

Explanation and References: According to NHL Rule 84 regarding overtime and Table 20 regarding overtime penalty assessment, once a team receives a second minor penalty, each team must add one player to their on-ice strength. For Los Angeles, adding one player effectively increases on-ice strength from two to three while for Anaheim, this increases on-ice strength from four-to-five. The reason for this is that no team shall skate with an on-ice strength of less than three skaters.

Bonus: Playing five-on-three, the Ducks received a minor penalty at 1:24 due to Dustin Penner's interference against Jarret Stoll, creating a four-on-three situation. When LAK Williams' penalty expired at 1:31 and he exited the penalty box, the teams skated four-on-four even though each team had one player serving a penalty. The rules state play shall continue four-on-four, but at the next stoppage of play (prior to the expiration of either penalty), the strength shall be adjusted to three-on-three, the standard procedure for coincidental minor penalties during overtime. In this situation, the Kings skated four-on-three when Mitchell's penalty expired at 2:27 while both teams returned to full strength (4x4 for OT) when Penner's penalty expired at 3:24.

Winter Baseball Ejection Update, November 2013

Offseason winter baseball leagues produced the following ejections during the month of November, 2013:

HP Umpire Tom Honec: Toros del Este Manager Orlando Merced for arguing a ball call (D, 11/30)^
1B Umpire Felipe Romero: Mayos de Navojoa SS Jose Chavez for arguing an out call (M, 11/27)
2B Umpire Gabrial Alfonzo: Aguilas del Zulia 2B Jose Pirela for arguing a strike call (V, 11/27)
HP Umpire Oscar Marin: Algodoneros de Guasave 1B Mark Hamilton for arguing a strike three call (M, 11/24)
1B Umpire Delfin Colon ejected Indios de Mayaguez Manager Carlos Baerga; out call, (RC, 11/24)`
1B Umpire Demian Hernandez: Yaquis de Obregon LF Doug Clark & Manager Eddy Diaz; out call (M, 11/24)
HP Umpire Trent Thomas: Canberra Cavalry Manager Michael Collins for arguing balls & strikes (ABL, 11/22)
HP Umpire Carlos Rey: Indios de Mayaguez Manager Carlos Baerga for arguing balls & strikes (RC, 11/22)
HP Umpire Delfin Colon: Criollos de Caguas 3B Andy Gonzalez & Manager Pedro Lopez; strike 3 (RC, 11/21)`
HP Umpire Charlie Rivera: Leones de Ponce DH Ivan De Jesus & Mgr Carmelo Martinez; strike 3 (RC, 11/21)
3B Umpire Santo Castillo: Aguilas Cibaenas Manager Felix Fermin; check swing strike (D, 11/21)
HP Umpire Domingo Polanco: Tigres del Licey Manager Mike Guerrero for arguing a strike call (D, 11/21)
HP Umpire Luis Gonzalez: Tiburones de La Guaira DH Alex Cabrera & Mgr Tony DeFrancesco; K 3 (V, 11/20)
3B Umpire Marco Nava: Naranjeros de Hermosillo Manager Matias Carrillo Sr.; check swing strike (M, 11/18)
HP Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected Leones del Caracas pitcher Angel Calero; balls and strikes (V, 11/17)^
HP Umpire Pat Hoberg: Surprise Saguaros CF Tyler Naquin; strike three call, (AFL, 11/14)^

*AFL = Arizona Fall, ABL = Australian, D = Dominican, M = Mexicana del Pacifico, RC = Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rico), V = Venezuelan*

^Signifies MiLB (Rookie, A [+/-], AA or AAA) umpire. `Delfin Colon is a former MiLB call-up umpire (08-09).

NFL Ejections: Referee Carl Cheffers' Crew

Referee Carl Cheffers' crew ejected Vikings DB Chris Cook for unsportsmanlike conduct: contacting an official during the 3rd quarter of the Bears-Vikings game. With 5:15 remaining in the 3rd period, Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery caught a 46-yard pass from quarterback Josh McCown for a touchdown, evading defender Cook in the process. Replays indicate that after the play, Cook contacted side judge Laird Hayes in an unsporting manner, resulting in an automatic 15-yard USC penalty and disqualification, as prescribed by rule. At the time of the ejection, the Bears were leading, 12-7.

Wrap: Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings, 12/1/13
Video: Jeffery evades Cook for athletic touchdown / Cook grabs Hayes to argue after the play, is ejected