What is slashing in hockey?

Slashing is a penalty in hockey that occurs when a player swings their stick at an opponent in a forceful or reckless manner, regardless of whether or not contact is made. The purpose of slashing is to intimidate or injure an opponent, and it is considered a dangerous play that can result in serious injury.

Slashing penalties can result in a minor penalty, which is typically two minutes in the penalty box, or a major penalty, which is five minutes in the penalty box. In some cases, a player may also receive a game misconduct or match penalty for slashing, which can result in ejection from the game.

Slashing is strictly enforced by officials in order to maintain the safety of players on the ice. It is important for players to control their sticks and play with respect for their opponents in order to avoid being penalized for slashing.