The standard length of a hockey game is 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods, not including stoppages.
Ever wondered how long are hockey games? It’s a common question for new fans, especially when the clock seems to move differently during the action. Understanding the game’s structure can enhance your viewing experience.
A hockey game has a very specific length, regardless of how intense the play. The official time is always at the forefront, keeping players and viewers aware of the game’s progress. This ensures that the game remains fair and structured.
How Long Are Hockey Games?
Ever wondered how long you’d be cheering for your favorite hockey team? Well, you’re in the right place! Hockey games aren’t just a quick dash on the ice; they involve several periods and potential overtime, adding up to a specific time commitment. Let’s break down all the details, so you know exactly what to expect when you tune into a game.
The Standard Game Clock
The foundation of every hockey game’s length is built upon its playing time. Most hockey games, at the professional and major junior levels, are divided into three distinct periods. Each period is officially timed at 20 minutes of actual playing time.
What is Actual Playing Time?
This 20-minute figure isn’t like the time on your kitchen clock. It’s “actual playing time,” meaning the clock only runs when the puck is in motion and the game is being actively played. The clock stops every time there’s a stoppage of play, like when:
- The puck goes out of bounds
- A penalty occurs
- There’s an icing call
- A goal is scored
- The puck is frozen by the goaltender
All these stoppages mean a 20-minute period can often take much longer in real time. Think of it like a basketball game – the clock is paused quite frequently. This constant stopping and starting helps add drama and keep things fair, but it definitely adds to the total time of a hockey game.
Real-Time vs. Clock Time
Okay, so a game has three 20-minute periods. Simple math tells us that’s 60 minutes of playing time. But remember, we talked about those pesky stoppages? They really add up. A typical 20-minute period can easily take 30 to 40 minutes to complete in real time. Because of this, it’s very unusual for the total game to be only 60 minutes.
Let’s look at it more like this:
- Three 20-minute periods = 60 minutes of potential playing time.
- Add in the stoppages, and each period stretches longer.
So, a regular game with three periods often lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours from start to finish. This includes intermissions and the many stoppages during the game.
Intermissions: Breaks Between Periods
After each period, there’s a break called an intermission. Intermissions give the players a chance to rest, strategize with their coaches, and gear up for the next period. It also allows the ice to be resurfaced by a Zamboni, ensuring a smooth playing surface. These intermissions typically last around 15 to 18 minutes in professional hockey leagues, like the NHL.
Here is the basic structure:
- End of First Period: 15-18 minute intermission
- End of Second Period: 15-18 minute intermission
These breaks don’t count toward the game’s playing time, but they are absolutely factored into the total time it takes to watch a hockey game. Consider them part of the experience – a moment to grab a snack, chat with friends, and get ready for the next round of action.
Overtime: When the Game Isn’t Decided
Sometimes, after three periods, teams are still tied. When this happens, we head to overtime! Overtime rules vary slightly depending on the league, but the main idea is the same: someone needs to score to break the tie.
Regular Season Overtime
In regular season games in the NHL, if a game is tied after three periods, a five-minute sudden-death overtime period is played. This is a three-on-three format that means the teams play with three skaters and a goalie each to provide more open ice and scoring chances. If neither team scores in those five minutes, the game will proceed to a shootout, where individual players get a chance to score on the opposing goalie.
Playoff Overtime
Things get more intense in the playoffs! Playoff games use a different format than regular-season games. In playoff overtime, a full 20 minute period is played, with teams playing at full strength (five skaters and a goalie each). If there is no score in the first full overtime period, another 20-minute period is played until there is a goal scored, this process repeats until one team scores. Overtime in the playoffs can go on and on and on. It’s not uncommon to see multiple overtime periods in a single playoff game, dramatically increasing the game’s length. This makes playoff games especially unpredictable and exciting!
Other Factors Affecting Game Length
Beyond just periods, intermissions, and overtime, a few other factors can influence the overall length of a hockey game. Let’s take a look at these additional elements.
Penalties
Penalties are a big part of hockey, and they can slow things down. When a player commits a penalty, the game stops, the player goes to the penalty box, and sometimes there is a power play (where one team gets more players on the ice than the other), which has potential to stop the game more. These penalty situations add to the clock as there are discussions and game delays around the penalties.
Major Penalties
Major penalties, which are for more serious infractions, can cause even longer stoppages. These can involve the referees reviewing the play to ensure the right penalty is given. These reviews can add time to the game.
Injuries
Injuries are an unfortunate part of hockey. When a player is injured on the ice, the game is stopped, and medical personnel provide care. The length of these stoppages varies depending on the severity of the injury, but they are a factor in extending game times.
Television Timeouts
For televised games, there are often designated television timeouts. These are breaks in the game that allow for commercials to air. They’re typically short, but every little bit adds up. Most of these television timeouts occur between periods, or just after goals, as this is a natural stop in the game.
Challenges
Coaches can challenge certain calls with video review. If a coach challenges a play, for example, a possible offside or a goal being called off, the game stops while the referees watch video replays. This can be pretty quick, but it still adds a couple of minutes.
How Long Are Different Levels of Hockey Games?
While the basic rules of the game remain the same, the length of games can differ a little at different levels. Here’s a general overview:
NHL Games (Professional)
NHL games, as we’ve talked about, usually last around 2.5 to 3 hours, including intermissions. These games have the full length of 20-minute periods, and can have longer intermissions. Additionally, games can have extended durations with playoff overtime.
Major Junior Hockey
Major junior leagues like the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) also have three 20-minute periods. The total game length tends to be very similar to NHL games, in the 2.5 to 3 hour range. These leagues also have an overtime in the playoffs and some regular season games depending on the league.
College Hockey (NCAA)
NCAA college hockey games typically consist of three 20-minute periods too. Game times are similar to professional and major junior games, running for around 2.5 to 3 hours. Some unique NCAA rules related to penalties and icing can cause games to either be shorter or longer.
International Hockey
International hockey games, such as those in the Olympics or the World Championships, generally follow NHL rules with 20-minute periods and similar game times. There might be some slight differences in overtime rules depending on the tournament, but games typically still last around 2.5 to 3 hours. For example in the olympics, games are stopped for a power play goal.
Youth Hockey
Youth hockey game lengths are usually shorter. The period length is often shorter (10-15 minutes), depending on the age group and the league. There are typically still three periods, but the total game time is less, often in the 1.5 to 2 hour range. Overtime is not played as much in these games.
Adult Recreational Leagues
Adult recreational hockey games usually have shorter periods, often 15-20 minutes of stop time. The total time of these games varies depending on the league, but usually do not exceed a total of 2 hours.
Key Takeaways
- Standard hockey games have three 20-minute periods of play.
- The actual time it takes to play a period is longer than 20 minutes due to stoppages.
- Intermissions between periods are usually 15-18 minutes long.
- Overtime is used in the event of a tie score after three periods and playoff overtime can be longer than regular season overtime.
- Game lengths can vary depending on the level of play, with youth games being shorter than adult professional leagues.
- Other factors such as penalties, injuries, and television timeouts impact game length.
So, next time you settle in to watch a hockey game, you’ll have a good idea of how long you might be there! Enjoy the fast-paced action and the nail-biting moments, and remember that sometimes, the best games are the ones that go to overtime.
The Rules of Ice Hockey – EXPLAINED!
Final Thoughts
A typical hockey game lasts 60 minutes of playing time, divided into three 20-minute periods. However, stoppages for penalties, goals, and intermissions make the total time much longer.
Factoring in breaks, the total game time usually stretches to about 2.5 to 3 hours. Therefore, “how long are hockey games” varies from the clock. Plan accordingly when going to a game.
