What are the penalties for contact to the head, face or neck?

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Accepted Answer

In minor and female hockey (Rule 7.6): Accidental contact with an opponent's head, face or neck: Minor penalty. Intentional contact using any part of the body or equipment: double Minor penalty. Three Head Contact penalties in the same game: Game Ejection. At the referee's discretion, based on the degree of violence of the impact, a Major penalty and Game Misconduct penalty may be assessed. If a player is injured by contact that would otherwise be a Minor penalty, a Major and Game Misconduct must be assessed. A cross-check to an opponent above the normal height of the shoulders is a Major penalty and Game Misconduct, whether or not there is an injury. Source: Hockey Canada Playing Rules 2026-2028, Rule 7.6 and Rule 4.8.