Discover How Long a Hockey Game Lasts: Complete Guide

Welcome to our complete guide to hockey game duration! If you’ve ever been to a hockey game or watched one on TV, you might be wondering: how long does a hockey game last? In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the length of a typical hockey game, as well as some factors that can affect game duration, different types of hockey games, and more. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the sport, you’ll come away with a better understanding of the duration of a hockey game.

At its most basic level, a hockey game is divided into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of playing time. However, as you’ll soon see, there are a number of factors that can cause a game to last longer than the standard hour. Stoppage time is a major factor that can contribute to a longer game, as are penalties and overtime periods. Let’s take a closer look at the structure of a typical hockey game and what can affect its duration.

Are you ready to become an expert on the length of a hockey game? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this exciting sport. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the game, this guide will help you appreciate the nuances of hockey game duration and understand what goes into making a great game.

The Basic Structure of a Hockey Game

At its core, a hockey game is a battle between two teams on ice, each trying to score more goals than the other. The game is divided into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes, separated by two 15-minute intermissions. During the game, the teams skate back and forth on the ice, trying to maintain control of the puck while defending their own net from their opponents.

Each team has six players on the ice at any given time, consisting of three forwards, two defensemen, and a goaltender. The forwards are responsible for generating offense and scoring goals, while the defensemen work to prevent the other team from scoring. The goaltender is the last line of defense and is tasked with stopping the puck from entering their team’s net.

Throughout the game, the teams can make substitutions to replace tired or injured players. They can also call timeouts to rest their players or strategize for an upcoming play. If a player commits a penalty, they must serve time in the penalty box, leaving their team shorthanded for a period of time.

The game ends when the final buzzer sounds at the end of the third period. If the teams are tied, they play an overtime period to determine a winner. If no team scores during the overtime period, the game goes to a shootout, where each team takes turns sending a player on a breakaway to try and score against the opposing goaltender.

Periods and Intermissions

1. Periods: A hockey game is divided into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes, for a total of 60 minutes of play time.

2. Intermissions: After each period, there is a 15-minute intermission where the players take a break and the ice is resurfaced. The longer intermission between the second and third periods allows for additional maintenance to the ice surface.

3. Overtime Period: If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, there will be a sudden-death overtime period lasting up to 5 minutes. The team that scores first wins the game.

In the event that neither team scores during the overtime period, the game will proceed to a shootout where each team will select three players to take penalty shots. The team with the most goals after the shootout wins the game. Understanding the structure of a hockey game is essential to fully enjoy the game and appreciate the strategies and skills of the players.

Factors That Can Affect the Duration of a Hockey Game

Penalties: Penalties can significantly affect the duration of a hockey game. When a player commits a penalty, they must sit in the penalty box for a certain amount of time, usually two minutes. During this time, their team is short-handed, which means there are fewer players on the ice, making it harder to score.

Stoppage of play: Stoppage of play is another factor that can affect the duration of a hockey game. If the puck goes out of play, a player is injured, or the referee needs to review a play, the clock is stopped, which can add up to several minutes of game time.

Overtime: Overtime is an additional period of play added to a tied game to determine a winner. In the regular season, overtime is five minutes long, while in the playoffs, it is 20 minutes long. If neither team scores during overtime, a shootout occurs, which can add even more time to the game.

TV timeouts: TV timeouts can also affect the duration of a hockey game. These timeouts occur at predetermined times throughout the game to allow for commercial breaks. During these breaks, the players rest, and the ice is resurfaced, which can add several minutes to the game.

Penalties and Power Plays

Penalties are given to players who break the rules of the game. The most common types of penalties are tripping, high-sticking, and holding. When a player commits a penalty, they must sit in the penalty box for a designated amount of time. The length of the penalty depends on the severity of the infraction, and can range from two minutes to five minutes or more.

Power plays occur when one team has more players on the ice due to a penalty given to the other team. During a power play, the team with more players has a higher chance of scoring a goal. The power play lasts for the same amount of time as the penalty.

During a penalty kill, the team with fewer players on the ice tries to prevent the other team from scoring a goal. Penalty kills can be a challenging time for teams, but a successful penalty kill can give a team momentum and energy.

It is important to note that referees have the ability to give a team a delay of game penalty if they believe that the team is intentionally stalling or delaying the game. This penalty can lead to a loss of possession or even a penalty shot for the opposing team.

Stoppage of Play

Icing: Icing is called when a player shoots the puck from their side of the center line and the puck goes past the opponent’s goal line without being touched by anyone. The play is then stopped and a faceoff is held in the defending zone of the team that committed the infraction.

Offside: Offside is called when an attacking player crosses the opponent’s blue line before the puck. When an offside is called, the play is stopped, and a faceoff is held outside the blue line of the offending team.

Hand Pass: A player may not use their hand to pass the puck to a teammate unless the two players are in the defensive zone or the pass is made in the neutral zone. If a player is caught using their hand to pass the puck to a teammate, the play is stopped, and a faceoff is held where the offense committed the infraction.

Puck out of Play: If the puck goes out of play by being shot over the glass or into the bench, the play is stopped, and a faceoff is held in the zone where the puck was shot from. If the puck goes out of play by hitting the netting above the glass or the referee’s safety netting, the play is stopped, and a faceoff is held in the zone where the puck was last touched by a player.

Overtime and Shootouts

In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, the game proceeds to overtime. Overtime is a sudden-death period lasting five minutes played with four skaters per team. If no one scores during overtime, a shootout follows.

A shootout involves a series of penalty shots. Each team gets three shooters, and the team with the most goals after the three rounds wins. If the score is still tied after three rounds, the shootout proceeds to sudden death, with one player from each team taking turns shooting until there’s a winner.

The length of overtime and the format of the shootout vary depending on the league and level of play. Some leagues, such as the NHL, have longer overtimes and different shootout rules during the playoffs compared to the regular season.

How Long Are Different Types of Hockey Games?

While the length of a standard ice hockey game is 60 minutes, the actual time can vary based on different factors.

Minor hockey games for younger players often have shorter periods, typically 15-20 minutes each.

College hockey games are generally 60 minutes long with three 20-minute periods, but the NCAA allows for a five-minute sudden-death overtime period if the game is tied at the end of regulation.

International ice hockey games have similar structures to standard games but can vary in length. Olympic games, for example, are played with three 20-minute periods and one 15-minute intermission.

The National Hockey League (NHL) games follow the standard structure but with some differences. Regular-season games have three 20-minute periods, and if the game is tied after regulation, the teams play a five-minute sudden-death overtime period. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, a shootout takes place to determine the winner.

NHL Games

The National Hockey League (NHL) is the top professional hockey league in North America. The NHL regular season consists of 82 games for each team, with each game lasting 60 minutes divided into three periods of 20 minutes each.

In the playoffs, each round is a best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games advancing to the next round. Playoff games can last longer than regulation time if the game is tied after three periods.

The NHL also has a few special events that take place throughout the season, such as the Winter Classic outdoor game and the All-Star Game. These games typically follow the same rules and structure as regular season games.

International Games

International hockey games are played under slightly different rules than NHL games, and the length of the games varies as well. In the Olympics, games are played in three 20-minute periods, with a 15-minute intermission between the second and third periods. If the game is tied after regulation, there is a five-minute sudden death overtime period. If neither team scores during the overtime period, a shootout is used to determine the winner.

During the IIHF World Championships, games are also played in three 20-minute periods with two 15-minute intermissions. If the game is tied after regulation, there is a 10-minute sudden death overtime period, and if neither team scores, a shootout is used.

Other international tournaments, such as the World Cup of Hockey, may have slightly different rules regarding game length and overtime. However, they typically follow a similar format to the Olympics and World Championships.

The Fastest and Longest Hockey Games in History

Fastest Game: The fastest NHL game on record was played on March 12, 1944, between the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings. It lasted only 44 minutes and 30 seconds, with the Canadiens winning 4-0.

Longest Game: The longest game in NHL history was played on March 24, 1936, between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons. It lasted for 176 minutes and 30 seconds, with the Red Wings finally winning 1-0.

Fastest International Game: The fastest international game was played between Canada and Russia at the 1987 Canada Cup. Canada won the game 6-5 in overtime after just 2 hours and 39 minutes of play.

Longest International Game: The longest international game was played between Sweden and Norway in the 2008 IIHF World Championship. It lasted for 116 minutes and 56 seconds, with Sweden finally winning 5-4 in a shootout.

Fastest College Hockey Game: The fastest college hockey game was played on March 8, 2014, between Quinnipiac and Yale. Quinnipiac won the game 6-2 in just 1 hour and 34 minutes.

The Fastest Hockey Game

Record-breaking and fast-paced games are the dream of every hockey fan. The fastest game in NHL history was played on March 13, 1996, between the Winnipeg Jets and the New York Rangers, with a total game time of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It was a low-scoring game with a final score of 6-3 in favor of the Rangers. The record for the fastest goal scored in an NHL game is held by Doug Smail, who scored just five seconds into a game in 1981.

The fastest international game was played between Sweden and Belarus in the 2002 Olympics. The game lasted just 1 hour and 30 minutes, with Sweden winning 7-The game was also notable for being the first Olympic game ever to be played on the full-size NHL ice rink, which allowed for faster gameplay.

It’s worth noting that there is a difference between the game time and the elapsed time of a hockey game. Game time refers to the time the clock is running during the actual gameplay, while elapsed time includes stoppages of play, intermissions, and other breaks. Therefore, the elapsed time of a game may be longer than the actual game time.

What Happens If a Hockey Game Ends in a Tie?

Ties used to be more common in hockey, but now they are rare. In the NHL, for example, ties were eliminated in the 2005-06 season. However, ties can still happen in some other leagues and in international competitions.

If a game ends in a tie, there are different ways it can be resolved depending on the league or competition. For example, some leagues may play overtime, while others may use a shootout.

In international competitions, such as the Olympics and World Championships, ties can also be resolved with overtime and/or a shootout. However, if the game is a medal game, a 20-minute sudden-death overtime period is played, and if still tied, a shootout takes place.

It’s worth noting that in some lower-level leagues, ties may still be a common occurrence. In these cases, the game simply ends in a tie, with each team earning one point in the standings.

Regular Season Games

Regular season NHL games used to be able to end in a tie, but that changed in the 2005-2006 season when the league implemented the shootout. Now, if a game is tied after overtime, a shootout is used to determine the winner.

Before the shootout was introduced, regular season games that were tied after overtime were officially recorded as a tie, and each team received one point in the standings.

In the playoffs, there are no ties. If a playoff game is tied after regulation, there will be up to 20 minutes of sudden-death overtime periods until a team scores and wins the game. In the playoffs, there is no shootout.

Playoff Games

Unlike regular season games, playoff games cannot end in a tie. If the game is tied after regulation time, the teams will play sudden death overtime until one team scores a goal.

If the game remains tied after the first overtime period, the teams will continue to play 20-minute overtime periods until a winner is determined. In theory, a playoff game could go on indefinitely, although in practice, games rarely go beyond two or three overtime periods.

If a team is unable to field the minimum number of players required to start a game due to injury or other reasons, they may forfeit the game. This is a rare occurrence, but it has happened in the past.

Playoff games are typically more intense and physical than regular season games, as the stakes are higher. Teams will often play a more defensive style of hockey, with an emphasis on limiting scoring opportunities for the other team.

Useful Tips to Maximize Your Enjoyment of Hockey Games

Know the rules: Familiarize yourself with the basic rules of hockey to better understand the game and follow along more easily.

Get involved: Attend games in person, join a local league, or follow your favorite team on social media to feel more connected to the sport and its community.

Follow players: Learn about your favorite players and follow their stats, highlights, and personal stories to enhance your enjoyment of the game.

Engage with other fans: Discuss games, players, and strategies with other hockey fans to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the sport.

Have fun: Whether you’re playing or watching, remember that hockey is meant to be enjoyable. Don’t take it too seriously and have fun with it!

Get Familiar with the Rules and Terminology

Before attending a hockey game, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules and terminology of the game. Some important terms to know include icing, offside, power play, and penalty kill. Additionally, understanding the rules for faceoffs, penalties, and overtime will make the game more enjoyable to watch.

One great way to learn the rules and terminology is to watch games on television or online. Many broadcasts will include explanations of rules and terminology during the game. You can also find resources online, such as the NHL website or YouTube videos, that explain the rules and provide visual examples.

Attending games with friends who are knowledgeable about hockey can also be helpful. They can explain any rules or terminology you may be unfamiliar with and enhance your overall experience.

Attend a Game in Person

If you’re a hockey fan, attending a game in person is a must. Not only will you get to see your favorite players up close, but you’ll also experience the energy and excitement of the crowd. Here are a few tips to make the most of your experience:

1. Get your tickets early: Hockey games can sell out quickly, so it’s important to buy your tickets in advance.
2. Dress appropriately: Hockey arenas can be chilly, so wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes.
3. Arrive early: Getting to the game early will give you plenty of time to find your seat, get some food and drinks, and soak up the atmosphere.

Attending a hockey game in person is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a live hockey game.

Frequently Asked Questions