How Long A Hockey Game Lasts

How Long Is A Hockey Game?

Ever wondered how long you’ll be glued to your seat watching a hockey game? It’s a question many fans, both new and experienced, have. The answer isn’t as simple as a single number. It depends on a few things, but let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect when you settle in for some exciting hockey action. We’ll talk about the standard game length, what can make a game go longer, and how each period works. Get ready to learn everything you need to know about the timing of a hockey game!

The Standard Length of a Hockey Game

At its core, a standard professional hockey game, whether it’s the National Hockey League (NHL), or other leagues around the world, is meant to last 60 minutes of playing time. This is split into three periods, each lasting 20 minutes. So, if you were to just look at playing time, that’s 20 minutes + 20 minutes + 20 minutes = 60 minutes. Pretty straightforward, right? However, there’s much more to it than just the playing time.

Understanding the Three Periods

Let’s take a closer look at these three periods:

• First Period: The game kicks off with the first 20 minutes of action. Both teams start fresh, ready to battle for that first goal.
• Second Period: After a short break, called an intermission, the players come back for another 20 minutes. This is where the middle part of the game really starts to develop.
• Third Period: This is the final 20 minutes of regulation time. This is when things often get very exciting, as teams push hard to either secure a win or try to tie the score.

Intermissions: Breaks Between the Periods

Between each period, there are breaks called intermissions. These aren’t just for players to rest; they’re also a time for the ice to be resurfaced. Zamboni machines, those awesome ice-cleaning machines, go to work to make sure the ice is smooth and ready for play. Typically, an intermission lasts around 15 to 18 minutes, giving players a chance to cool down, coaches to strategize, and fans to grab a snack or visit the restroom. So, when figuring out how long a hockey game is, these intermissions add to the overall time.

What Makes a Game Longer Than 60 Minutes?

While the standard playing time of a hockey game is 60 minutes, games often run longer than that. Several factors can contribute to this.

Penalties: Timeouts in the Penalty Box

Penalties happen when a player breaks the rules. When a penalty occurs, the penalized player usually has to sit in the penalty box for a set amount of time. Common penalties are 2 minutes for a minor penalty and 5 minutes for a major penalty. The clock stops when the ref calls a penalty, and it restarts once play resumes. These stoppages add more time to the game clock. Even with only a couple of penalties in each period, these can add several extra minutes to the clock.

Stoppages of Play

The clock also stops for other reasons like:

• Pucks going out of play: When the puck goes into the crowd or out of the rink, the clock stops until the play is restarted.
• Icing: When a player shoots the puck from behind their own zone to the opponent’s end without it being touched, the play stops and the teams switch ends.
• Injuries: If a player is injured, the clock stops while they receive medical attention. This can take time, and player safety is most important.
• Goals: When a goal is scored, the play stops briefly while the players celebrate and the referee reviews the play.
• Official Timeouts: The teams can call timeout as well, in order to regroup, and this also pauses the game clock.

All these little pauses add up and can make the game go longer.

Overtime: When a Tie Isn’t the End

If the score is tied after the three regular periods, the game often continues into overtime. The rules for overtime can change depending on the level of the game. In the NHL, during the regular season, there’s a 5-minute overtime period, played with three skaters on the ice per side, instead of the usual five skaters. If neither team scores, then the game goes to a shootout.

In the playoffs, if the score is tied after three periods, the game goes to a full 20-minute overtime period, but the players play with five players on the ice per side. This continues until someone scores. This can potentially make the hockey game much longer, because there is no shootout, so the game can theoretically go on for many overtime periods.

Shootouts: Deciding the Winner

In the NHL regular season, if no one scores in overtime, the game goes to a shootout. This is where each team sends three of its players to take penalty shots, alternating with each team. If still tied after 3 rounds, they continue on a round by round basis until one team finally wins. The shootout time will add to the overall game length, usually by 5 to 10 minutes. Shootouts only happens in NHL regular season games; they are not used in playoff games.

Game Length: From Start to Finish

Now that we know about the different aspects of how long a game is, let’s put it all together. A standard hockey game should take about two and a half hours. This includes the 60 minutes of playing time, two intermissions (about 15-18 minutes each), and stoppages of play. However, games often end up lasting a bit longer. In some cases, with penalties and other stoppages, a game may take closer to three hours. Overtime, of course, will make the game length even longer.

Typical Game Timeline

Let’s outline a typical hockey game timeline. Keep in mind these are estimations, and the game could be shorter or longer depending on the factors we discussed above:

1. Pre-Game Activities: Typically, there might be about 15-30 minutes before the game with warm-ups and arena excitement.
2. First Period: 20 minutes of game time.
3. First Intermission: About 15-18 minutes.
4. Second Period: 20 minutes of game time.
5. Second Intermission: About 15-18 minutes.
6. Third Period: 20 minutes of game time.
7. Overtime (if necessary): 5 minutes in regular season, 20 minutes or more in playoffs.
8. Shootout (if necessary): Around 5-10 minutes.

So, a complete game with no overtime or shootout will usually take about 2 to 2 and a half hours from start to finish. If you are planning to see a hockey game in person, keep this in mind. If you are watching on TV, there are some pre-game and post-game shows that might make the whole broadcast longer as well.

How Game Length Varies by League and Level

It’s important to note that the game length can vary slightly, depending on the hockey level that is being played. For example:

Youth Hockey

Games for younger players typically have shorter periods, often around 12 to 15 minutes, instead of the 20 minutes that the professional levels use. Intermissions might also be shorter. This makes sure the games are appropriate for younger players. The total game length can be about an hour to an hour and a half.

College Hockey

College hockey generally uses the same period structure as the NHL with 20-minute periods. They might have different overtime rules but are usually pretty similar to the NHL rules.

International Hockey

International games, like those in the Olympics, follow a 20-minute period structure like the NHL. Overtime rules may differ though, based on the specific tournament. Understanding these variations can help you know what to expect when watching hockey at different levels.

Keeping Time: The Game Clock

Throughout the game, the clock is displayed on a scoreboard. It’s very important to track the time, to know how much is left in each period. The clock stops whenever there’s a stoppage of play, ensuring every second of actual playing time is accounted for. When you’re watching a hockey game, keep an eye on the game clock, to see how much time is left.

Why the Time Matters

The time in a hockey game is not just a number. It plays a very important role in the game’s strategy. Coaches and players use time to their advantage, whether it’s to make a late game push to score goals, or to simply hold on for the win. It’s a strategic element of the game, along with the skills and plays that make hockey exciting. Understanding how the time works in hockey allows a more engaged and thrilling experience as a fan!

So, next time you settle in to watch a hockey game, you’ll know exactly what to expect in terms of the time. From the standard 60 minutes of play to the extra minutes added by penalties, intermissions and maybe even overtime, it’s all part of the exciting world of hockey. Remember, while the clock might be running, the excitement of the game never stops!

Understanding the intricacies of a hockey game’s duration enriches the viewing experience. It gives you a better grasp of the game’s ebb and flow, the tactical moves, and the importance of every single second. So, grab your jersey, get comfy, and enjoy the exciting ride of a hockey game!