DOUBLE MINOR Meaning and
Definition
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Double minor refers to a penalty assessed in various sports, particularly ice hockey. In this context, a double minor penalty is a punishment given to a player for committing two separate minor infractions during gameplay. A minor penalty typically lasts for two minutes, and it is given for infractions that are less severe than major penalties but still warrant a disciplinary action. When a player commits two such minor infractions, they accumulate two separate two-minute penalties, resulting in a double minor.
In ice hockey, a double minor usually occurs when a player engages in two minor fouls, such as interference, holding, tripping, or slashing, within a short period. During a double minor penalty, the penalized player's team is required to play shorthanded for four minutes, or until the opposing team scores a power-play goal if it happens before the expiration of the penalty clock. This means that the penalized team will play with fewer players on the ice, providing an advantage to the opposing team. However, if the team with the double minor penalty successfully kills off the entire four minutes without conceding a goal, the penalized player may return to the game.
The purpose of a double minor penalty is to deter players from committing multiple infractions during gameplay and to ensure fairness in the sport. It helps maintain order and discipline on the ice while allowing the opposing team an extended power-play opportunity to potentially capitalize on the advantage.
Etymology of DOUBLE MINOR
The term "double minor" originates from the field of sports, particularly ice hockey. In ice hockey, a minor penalty refers to a two-minute penalty imposed on a player for an infraction. When a player commits two separate minor penalties during a game, they receive a "double minor" or a "four-minute penalty". The term "double minor" is a combination of "double", meaning two or twice as much, and "minor", referring to the two-minute penalty.
