Yogi's quote: "90% of the game is half mental."

OK, there is a delayed penalty on the other team and we have possession of the puck, the ref should not stop play until the other team has possession and control of the puck -- meaning: they have to be purposefully directing the actual direction of the puck.

So keep playing until the whistle blows. A rebound off of the goalie or off another player should NOT stop play. During this time we should pull the goalie for an extra attacker.

We can be very aggressive because the opposing team cannot score (of course, I did see an NHL game in which the team pulled their goalie on a delayed penalty and then made a really bad pass and put it into their own goal — and it does count!).

I have noticed that if/when we realize there is a penalty, we tend to slow down and wait for the whistle. Keep playing hard 'til you hear that whistle and we can get some extra time with an extra attacker!!!

Now, if the penalty is on us: keep playing hard until the whistle when WE gain possession AND control of the puck.
— Pat Ladwig

Calling of Penalties RULE 409 (from USA Hockey 2007-2009 Official Rules and Casebook)

(a) Should an infraction of the rules be committed by a player of the team in possession and control of the puck, the Referee shall immediately stop play and assess the penalty(s) to the offending player(s). The resulting face-off shall be made at the place where the play was stopped unless the stoppage occurs in the Attacking Zone of the player penalized in which case the face-off shall be made at the nearest face-off spot in the Neutral Zone.

(b) Should an infraction of the rules be committed by a player of a team NOT in possession and control of the puck the Referee shall signify the calling of a penalty by raising his arm and upon completion of the play by the team in possession will immediately stop play and assess the penalty to the offending player.

(Note 1) There shall be no signal given by the Referee for a misconduct or game misconduct penalty under this section.

(Note 2) "Completion of the play by the team in possession" in this rule means that the puck must have come into the possession and control of an opposing player or goalkeeper, or has been "frozen." This does not mean a rebound off the goalkeeper, the goal or the boards or any accidental contact with the body or equipment of an opposing player.

Possession of the Puck
The last player or goalkeeper to make contact with the puck. This includes a puck that is deflected off a player or any part of his equipment.

Possession and Control of the Puck
The last player or goalkeeper to make contact with the puck and who is also propelling the puck in a desired direction.

Change of Players

Defensive Zone Face-Offs