A two-minute penalty in ice hockey is referred to as a minor penalty. This results from less severe infractions, like slashing or tripping, where the offending player serves their time in the penalty box, leaving their team shorthanded. Minor penalties promote fair play, providing the opposing team an opportunity for a power play to score while the penalized player cannot participate. If the offending team successfully kills the penalty, the player may return to the ice after two minutes or if the opposing team scores during the power play.