How Long Are Admirals Games?

How Long Are Admirals Games?

Ever wondered exactly how long you’ll be cheering for the Admirals? It’s a pretty common question for anyone planning a night at the rink, and the answer is more interesting than you might think! While there’s a standard length for most hockey games, several things can cause the clock to tick a bit differently. Let’s dive into the specifics and get you ready for game night.

The Standard Game Length: 60 Minutes of Play

At their core, Admirals games follow the standard rules of professional hockey. This means there are three periods, each lasting 20 minutes. So, if you were to just add up the periods, you’d get 60 minutes of playing time, but that’s not the full picture. Think of it like a school day: you have class time, but you also have time between classes, which contribute to the overall length. Hockey games are similar.

Breaks Between Periods

Between each of the three 20-minute periods, there are intermissions. These are breaks that allow players to rest, coaches to strategize, and the ice to be resurfaced. Typically, an intermission lasts about 15 to 18 minutes. So, we’ve got two of these breaks, adding about 30 to 36 minutes onto the game time.

• First Intermission: Approximately 15-18 minutes
• Second Intermission: Approximately 15-18 minutes

Adding Up the Basics

So, if we do some simple math, we have 60 minutes of playing time, and about 30-36 minutes of intermission time. This makes for a rough average of 90-96 minutes. However, this isn’t the final answer, because hockey has a lot of other things that can affect how long a game takes.

Factors That Extend Game Time

While the basic structure of a hockey game is pretty consistent, several things can throw a wrench into the timing. Here’s a look at some of those elements:

Penalties and Power Plays

Hockey is a fast-paced, physical sport, and with that comes penalties. When a player commits a foul, that player has to sit in the penalty box for a certain amount of time. This creates a “power play” where the other team has an extra player on the ice. While the clock doesn’t stop completely during most penalties, stoppages in play occur to start and conclude power plays, and these all add to the total time. Sometimes these power play stoppages are quick, sometimes they can include a time out, which makes things longer. Each stoppage, no matter how short, adds to the overall length of the game.

Stoppages in Play

Besides penalties, there are many reasons why the game might have to stop temporarily. If a player gets hurt, play will stop to allow medical personnel to check on them. If a player goes offside, if a puck gets shot out of play, if a net comes off its moorings, or if the players fight, these all lead to pauses in the game and each moment adds on to the game length. While many stoppages are very brief, they collectively impact the length of a game.

Overtime

If the score is tied at the end of the third period, then the game goes into overtime. Overtime in professional hockey is a little different than what you might see in kids’ hockey leagues. In a regular season game for the Admirals, overtime is 5 minutes long, and it’s played with three skaters on each side instead of the usual five, this means more open ice and more chances for scoring. If a goal is scored in that overtime, the game ends immediately. If no goal is scored, the game goes into a shootout. In the playoffs, overtimes continue to be 20 minutes, but go until a goal is scored. So there can be multiple overtime periods, which all add to the overall length of the game.

Shootouts

If an Admirals game is tied at the end of overtime, it’s decided by a shootout. Each team gets a set number of shots with their best players facing the opposing goalie in a one-on-one contest. The team that scores the most out of their shots wins. While shootouts are exciting to watch, they do add a bit of time to the game, but compared to overtime it’s typically not that long.

Celebrations

When a player scores a goal, the players on that team and crowd get excited. Sometimes, a great goal leads to mini-celebrations on the ice, with teammates gathering around to tap gloves or give high fives, which adds seconds of game time. And these seconds all add up.

TV Timeouts

Games that are broadcast on TV often have scheduled TV timeouts. These are times where the game is paused so that commercials can be shown. This adds to the overall game length, but these times are usually consistent and planned.

Average Total Game Time

Considering all of these things that can make the game longer, the average total time for an Admirals game usually ranges from 2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes. Remember this is just an average. Some games may be a bit shorter, if there are fewer penalties or stoppages, while some games may go over 2 and half hours if there are a lot of penalties and power plays, overtime, and a shootout. Always a good idea to plan for the 2 and a half hour mark, to not be surprised by the length.

Here’s a quick guide of what you can expect:

• Typical game (no overtime): 2 hours to 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• Game with overtime: 2 hours and 20 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes.
• Game with overtime and a shootout: 2 hours and 30 minutes or slightly longer.

Why Knowing Game Length Matters

Knowing how long an Admirals game typically lasts helps you plan your evening. It can help you decide when you need to leave home, when to make dinner reservations, or when to book a ride. Being prepared means you can just focus on having a fun time watching the game without having to worry about timing.

Tips for Planning Your Trip to the Rink

Here are some helpful tips for you to keep in mind when you’re heading to an Admirals game:

• Arrive Early: Give yourself plenty of time to find parking, get through the entry lines, find your seats, and grab some snacks or drinks. Arriving early helps you avoid feeling rushed.
• Check the Schedule: Double check the start time of the game. Sometimes there are special start times.
• Plan for Extra Time: While most games are around two and a half hours, you should always be prepared for the game to go a bit longer. Don’t plan on needing to leave immediately at two and half hours, because you might miss the end of an exciting game.
• Enjoy the Experience: The whole point of going to the game is to have fun. Take advantage of the time at the arena and enjoy the experience!

So, next time someone asks “how long are Admirals games?”, you can give them the inside scoop. Enjoy the game and have a fun time!