There are three periods in hockey: (1) The first period is simply the first 10 minutes of the game, where the action is fast paced and intense. It ends once the first whistle blows to start the second period. (2) The second period is two minutes long, during which time the action becomes more relaxed and the pace slows down. (3) The third period is another two minutes long, during which time the teams trade shots and play defensively.
These periods of gameplay appear to last a total of three minutes, however, there is one important distinction between the first and the third periods: The third period doesn’t end when time runs out. In fact, the third period continues indefinitely until a goal is scored or the game ends in a tie.
The reason behind this is to provide additional gameplay after the conclusion of the 3-minute periods. This is especially relevant in leagues where tiebreakers are used to determine playoff matchups (e.g. the NHL). In those cases, once the scores are tied at the end of regulation time, players from both teams will continue to play for another 20 minutes or more in an effort to determine a winner.
Table of Contents
How Many Zones Does The NHL Have?
The NHL consists of a total of six zones: Top-left, Top-right, Bottom-right, Bottom-left, Center-ice, and Face-off circle. As the name suggests, each of these zones has a specific function. For example, the Top-right zone is where the most exciting hockey occurs: It is here that players battle it out in close quarters at high speeds, making it a zone you don’t want to be in when the puck is dropped.
The center ice zone is the place where the majority of faceoffs take place. It is also the zone where skilled players like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin flourish, as they possess the ability to beat opponents one-on-one. Finally, the face-off circle is the place where players spin, dive, and fight for the puck. This is the most effective strategy for gaining an advantage over your opponent, as face-offs and puck battles often result in some form of wrestling, where one player pulls his opponent’s helmet clean off.
How Many Goaltenders Does The NHL Have?
The position of goaltender is a bit different in the NHL than it is in other professional sports leagues. For starters, the goalie does not have to stay in the net for the entire game. In fact, the goalie can join the play as soon as the puck is dropped, however, they cannot leave the net area until the puck is cleared. Additionally, there is a specific order in which the goaltender must enter the rink before the playing of the national anthems: The doors open, the national anthem is played, and the game begins with the drop of the puck.
The goalkeeper’s most important position, however, is protector of the net, a role they must take seriously. Protecting the net in front of their own goal is the task of the goaltender, as well as keeping an eye out for attackers who may be breaking through the defense and entering the area between the face-off circles. This is a key component to having a winning season, as according to Hockey-statistics.com, over the last five years, the team that allowed the fewest goals scored during the season won the Stanley Cup in each of those years.
How Many Puck Carriers Does The NHL Have?
Unlike the goalkeeper, whose main responsibility is to protect the net, the most important position in hockey is the one that carries the puck. A puck carrier is crucial to any team that wishes to succeed, as they are responsible for moving the puck up the ice and feeding it to the forwards, who are then tasked with taking the puck to the opposing team’s end for a shot or pass.
Puck carriers can be of any nationality, however, they must be willing to take a hit to get the job done. Some of the more notable names in NHL history who played in their 70s and 80s include Maurice “The Hawk” Richard, Gordie “Gentleman” Stuart, and Bobby Orr. While Richard and Orr played a full season in their 70s, Stuart only played a couple of games in his 80s. Despite their advanced years, all three played important roles in their teams’ success, as they were able to contribute offensively and provide key minutes on the penalty kill.
Along with the ability to carry the puck, the next important characteristic of a good NHL forward is speed. Just like the position of goalie, the speed at which the puck is moved up the ice is not fixed, but instead, it is dependant on many factors. For instance, the faster the pace of play, the faster the puck will move. Also, the more skilled the player, the faster they can get the puck up ice.
How Many Defensemen Does The NHL Have?
The position of defenseman, or “D” as it is often abbreviated, is the key defensive position in the NHL, tasked with preventing the opposing team from scoring by clearing the way for their goaltender and any other forwards. The distance that a defenseman must cover is often called the “crease” in hockey lingo. A defenseman who is exceptionally mobile and aware of their surroundings can perform the job well, however, if they are not careful, they can end up in the penalty box for tripping, hooking, or checking from behind.
There are only three mandatory penalties in hockey: Illegal Stick Handling, Hooking, and Tripping. These are the most common penalties for rough play. Other common infractions include Using One’s Hands and Fighting. The maximum number of minor penalties a team can accrue in one game is four. Should a team commit four minor penalties in a game, then they will be assessed a major penalty. Should a team be assessed a major penalty, then they will be forced to play the rest of the game with only 10 players.
Some notable names in NHL history who played defense include Bobby Orr, Ed Belfour, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Ray Bourque. While Orr and Lidstrom played their entire careers in St. Louis, Bourque only suited up for the Calgary Flames, spending most of his time in the minors.
How Many Specialists Does The NHL Have?
A specialist is someone who is specifically trained to perform one task. In the NHL, there are four specialists who play important roles in their teams’ success: Goaltenders, who are trained to stop the ball; Flyers, who are responsible for starting the puck moving up the ice; Defended, who are tasked with keeping the puck out of the net; and Penalty Killers, who are in charge of preventing the opposition from scoring during the five minutes of power play time that each team gets per game.
These individuals’ roles are very clearly defined in the NHL. For example, the goaltender stops the puck, the attacker flies it in, and the defenseman prevents it from going in. While it is not uncommon for teams to have multiple specialists of each type, it is not essential. What is essential, however, is for each of these players to understand their role and perform it well. Injuries occur frequently in the NHL because players do not have the full understanding of their roles, leading to them trying to do too much. Additionally, the majority of injuries are a result of overexertion, as players often try to perform at a level above their abilities. In order to keep their bodies in good shape, they need to play within their limits, which in turn keeps them healthy.
How Is Scoring Worked In The NHL?
Scoring in the NHL is very similar to scoring in other professional sports leagues. One major difference, however, is that the goalposts for the net are at the end of the rink, rather than at the center of the field. This is significant, because the end zones in the NHL are much wider than they are in other sports leagues, making it easier for the goalkeeper to reach the goalposts. The goalie must get their hands on the puck first in order to stop it, as the offense cannot score until the puck is in the net.
An attempt to score in the NHL begins with a player carrying the puck into the opposing territory. Once the puck crosses the boards, players immediately begin to skate towards it. Once the player has the puck, they are free to attack the net. If the goaltender plays a tight game, however, then the offense will have a hard time gaining possession of the puck. In those cases, the goalie must leave the net to stop the puck. Once they have stopped the puck, then they can join the attack and try to score as well.