Penalty Terminations
When deciding who returns to the ice, the general rule of thumb is that the player who's minor penalty caused the team to be short handed returns to the ice.  See the following examples. Time refers to the scoreboard clock.
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
2:00
 
 
 
10:01
 
 
GOAL
 
Player A-21 returns
 
11:00
21
2:00
 
 
 
10:30
 
 
18
2:00
 
9:30
 
GOAL
 
 
nobody returns teams skating even strength
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
5:00
 
 
 
10:00
10
2:00
 
 
 
9:20
 
 
GOAL
 
A-10 returns. Though A-21 was the first penalty imposed, there is a minor penalty being served when Team B scored.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
5:00
 
 
 
8:00
 
 
GOAL
 
No one returns. Only a minor penalty can be terminated by a goal.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
5 + 2
 
 
 
8:00
 
 
GOAL
 
No one returns. When a player receives non-coincidental simultaneous major and minor penalties, the major is served first.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
2:00
 
 
 
11:00
14
2:00
 
 
 
10:10
 
 
GOAL
 
Captain's choice of who returns to the ice.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
2 + 2
 
 
 
9:00
18
2
 
 
 
8:00
 
 
GOAL
 
Captain's choice. Both A-21 and A-18 have minor penalties that expire at 7:00.
           
Now we'll get into minors + misconducts. The important thing to realize is that the misconduct penalty begins upon the expiration of the minor penalty. Penalties are served consecutively not concurrently.
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
13:00
21
2 + 10
 
   
12:00
 
 
GOAL
  A-21's minor penalty expires. Misconduct penalty begins.
2:00         A-21 released at first whistle after 2:00
           
When do we put a substitute player in for a player serving multiple penalties? The answer is when there is an entry on the penalty clock, then a player must be available to re-enter the game when the penalty expires. Thus:
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
13:00
21
2 + 10
 
  Team A must put a substitute in for A-21.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
13:00
21
2 + 10
14
2
No time on the penalty clock, no substitute needed. Player A-21 serves 12 minutes in penalties.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
13:00
21
5 + game
14
2 + 10
Both Team A and Team B must put substitute players in the penalty box. There are entries on the penalty clock.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
13:00
21
2 + 2
14
2
Team A is shorthanded. Team A must put a substitute on the penalty bench to serve the additional minor penalty.
           
What about when a team has more than 2 timed penalties? Since a team only can be down 2 players, the 3rd penalty begins upon the expiration of the 1st minor penalty. Most penalty clocks handle up to 5 timed penalties and will automatically begin penalty #3 when penalty #1 expires.
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
2:00
 
 
 
10:30
12
2:00
 
 
 
10:00
20
2:00
 
 
Enter the penalty on the scoreclock. Penalty will not start until A-21's penalty expires,
9:30
 
 
GOAL
 
A-21 out of the box. A-20's penalty starts.
           
Time
Team A
Penalty
Team B
Penalty
Comments
11:00
21
2:00
 
 
 
10:30
 
 
12
2:00
 
10:00
18
2:00
10
2:00
conincidental
9:30
2
2:00
 
 
2nd timed penalty on A
9:20
4
2:00
  
  
3rd timed penalty on A. Penalty begins when A—21's penalty expires.
           

We hope this clears up the common problems with penalty terminations. Just remember, if you're not sure, ask the referee. He is the ultimate source.

One more topic -- penalty shots. The penalty shot restores a lost scoring opportunity and results from a foul being committed by the offending team. You must enter the penalty on the scoresheet. List the period, player, time and the offense as (name of foul)/Penalty shot. The foul counts towards the 5 player / 15 team limit.