This could be a penalty if the player on the left isn't indeed forcing the player on the right to raise his arm. Photo Copyright BBS.

If you can�t do the time, don�t do the crime. The absolute worst infraction a player can commit is to deliberately strike an opponent in the face with his stick. A high sticking penalty can result in a match penalty that calls for an automatic suspension, and a review by the league. Plus, additional fines and suspensions may be handed down.

Assailant, strike, deliberate injury, prohibited � these words suggest NYPD Blue not the Broadway Blue Shirts. Carry the stick, accidental, careless, face masks, helmets, eyes, teeth; have you gotten the point of this exercise? We�re not talking about Lacrosse, but the game of ice hockey.

In actuality, there are many examples of high sticking that are penalized without a team becoming short-handed. Knocking the puck into the net with a stick above the height of the crossbar is �no goal.� The ensuing face-off takes place outside the zone. If a teammate touches the puck after it was knocked down from above the shoulder by another teammate get�s a whistle and a face-off at the spot where the puck was high-sticked or at least outside the attacking� zone.

While the outcomes may vary, and the acts may be deliberate or accidental, the fact remains that by carrying the stick high, you risk some penalty against yourself and ultimately against your team. Sometimes NHL players think they�ve gotten away with something because the infraction escapes the notice of the referee or even the two linesman. But supplemental discipline can be exercised by the league at any time. Sometimes a minor or double-minor may be announced, but we all know that the league reserves the right to review any play and usually the opposing team files a complaint. With review, a player can sit for many games with not only a loss of play but a loss of pay as well.

Many old-timer purists believe that it is the mandatory use of helmets and face masks at the amateur level that has caused players to get used to carrying their sticks up high. Habits then become formed so that when those amateurs shed their masks, as pros they still carry their sticks up and then injuries occur. Another reason given is that the size variation among players is so great. When a Theo Fluery gets high sticked by a Kjel Samuelson, the benefit of the doubt should go to the 6� 8� player as opposed to the 5� 5� player.

Another thing that promotes the over-abundance of high-sticking penalties is that stick checking, hooking and raising the stick to ward off a potential body check are constantly coached and encouraged.� While it falls on the officials� shoulders to maintain strict enforcement of the rules, should not the greater responsibility fall on the players and coaches themselves?

One thing I have learned as a player is that if you live by the sword you will die by it. What goes around comes around. The best way to avoid these penalties is to simply �keep your stick down.� Get skating, shooting, passing and hitting. Use your stick and you�ll do the time.

Following are examples from the NHL official�s casebook concerning high sticks. Remember, these are examples from the NHL and may not reflect the differing rules in your youth or adult league.

Situation: A player on Team A, carrying his stick above the normal height of the shoulders of an opponent, strikes a player on Team B causing an injury. What is the penalty if: A. the contact was accidental? B. The contact was careless? Answer: a. Double Minor Penalty. b. Double Minor Penalty.

Situation: A player takes a shot and allows his stick to go above the height of the shoulders of an opponent during the follow-through. What penalty should be addressed if:� A. No injury occurs. B. An injury occurs. Answer: a. No penalty, a normal follow-through is permitted. b. No penalty, a normal follow-through is permitted

Situation: A player takes a shot, but does not allow his stick to go above the height of the opponent. Nevertheless, he strikes an opponent with his stick. Should a penalty be called? Answer: This situation should not be penalized as high sticking. The referee may assess a slashing penalty if the offending player intended to strike his opponent. Accidental contact however, should not be penalized.

Situation: Team A�s center is bent low to the ice to take a face-off. Team B�s center plays the puck with his stick below the height of the shoulders� of the opponent, but strikes the Team A player in the face causing injury. Should a penalty be assessed to the Team B player? Answer: Same as above, no penalty.

Situation: The stick of a player on Team A that is below the normal height of the opponent�s shoulders, is forced high as a result of the actions of the Team B player, striking the team B player. Should a penalty be assessed? Answer: No. As the Team B player�s actions are responsible for the high stick, the Team A player cannot be penalized. Note: It is not always an automatic high-sticking penalty when a player is struck with a high stick that may or may not result in an injury.

As only the ninth former player to referee in the NHL, Paul Stewart�s refreshing style and unique perspective of the game makes him one of the most recognized personalities in hockey.