Ice hockey / Rule 16
Minor and bench penalties
IIHF · 2026/27In short
Time penalties and power-play goals.
Duration and service
A minor lasts 2 minutes; a double-minor totals 4 minutes. A bench minor also lasts 2 minutes and is served by a designated skater. Coincidental penalties have special substitution rules, so matching penalties do not automatically create a power play.
Early termination
When a short-handed team concedes, its eligible minor with the least time remaining ends. A penalty-shot goal does not release a penalized player. A major does not end because of a goal; misconduct alone does not reduce on-ice strength.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent topic summaries of the supplied IIHF Rule Book 2026/27, version 1.0, June 2026. This is not the NHL rulebook or a complete reproduction. Women’s, junior and pilot provisions are identified separately; competition regulations govern applicable formats. References use PDF pages.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗