What is the five-minute major penalty in ice hockey?

A five-minute major penalty is indeed a serious penalty assessed for infractions that are considered dangerous to the safety of other players. This type of penalty is imposed for actions such as fighting, checking from behind, or other forms of aggressive play that could cause injury. The player receiving the major penalty must leave the ice for five minutes, during which time their team plays shorthanded, meaning they are one player down. The severity of this penalty reflects the need to discourage dangerous behavior in the sport, as safety is a primary concern in ice hockey.

Other options represent different types of penalties or misconducts that do not share the same level of seriousness or duration as a five-minute major. Minor penalties typically involve less severe infractions, while a game misconduct is a significant disciplinary action but typically involves different circumstances than a major penalty. High-sticking involves a specific infraction but is classified as a minor penalty rather than a major one.