I would like to suggest that the argument about this being a stupid penalty isn't too far off. Yes, it's a rule, but just because it's in the rules doesn't make it a good one. Minor and Major penalties are called for a number of reasons, but mostly for committing an infraction against another player or using your mouth in an unsportsmanlike manor.
Here's one you'll never see called. High Sticking. In the rules it states "any contact with an opposing player while carrying your stick above the height of the opponents shoulder will result in a 2min minor or at the discretion of the referee a 5min major and game misconduct(no conduct with the stick at all).NEVER CALLED!!!!!!!