Hockey games normally last for 60 minutes of playing time, divided into three 20-minute periods.
Ever wondered about the clock when watching a thrilling hockey match? The action seems non-stop, right? But how long are hockey games normally, and what factors impact the final time?
It is actually not just about the 60 minutes on the clock. There are intermissions between periods, adding extra time to the overall experience. Plus, penalties and stoppages can also extend the game’s duration.
How Long Are Hockey Games Normally?
Ever wondered exactly how long you’re glued to your seat watching those speedy skaters zoom around the ice? You’re not alone! Figuring out the actual time a hockey game takes isn’t always as simple as it seems. It’s more than just the number of periods, and there are plenty of little things that can add time to the clock. Let’s dive into what makes up the length of a typical hockey game.
The Basics: Periods and Time
At its heart, a hockey game is divided into three main parts called periods. These periods are like the chapters in a story, each with its own action and drama. In most professional and high-level amateur leagues, each period is 20 minutes long. This 20-minute clock, however, is only for what is called “actual playing time.” This means that when the puck isn’t being actively played – due to a whistle, stoppage, or other reasons – the clock stops. This ensures the game isn’t artificially shortened. This differs greatly from other timed sports like basketball where the clock keeps ticking.
The Intermission Break
Between each of these 20-minute periods, there are breaks known as intermissions. These breaks aren’t just for players to catch their breath. They’re also for the fans to stretch, grab a snack, and analyze the game so far. These intermissions usually last 15 to 18 minutes, which also gives the Zamboni time to smooth the ice back to its gleaming condition. This pause is a key part of the hockey experience.
The Total Game Time: More Than Just Three Periods
So, if we have three 20-minute periods, we have 60 minutes of hockey, right? Not exactly! Because of those clock stoppages, and intermissions, the actual time it takes to complete a game is much longer. While the on-ice action of a hockey game adds up to 60 minutes of playing time, the overall duration can be anywhere between 2 and 2.5 hours. It’s very rare to find a game that finishes within 2 hours. Most fans planning their hockey watching experience should account for at least 2.5 hours at the arena.
Factors That Lengthen Games:
Many things contribute to varying game lengths. The flow of the game, the style of play, and other unplanned elements make hockey games longer than just the playing time. Here are few of those reasons:
- Penalties: When a player breaks a rule, they get a penalty and have to spend time in the penalty box. These penalties stop the clock and also often include power plays which usually slow down the pace of the game while the penalized player sits.
- Injuries: Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game. If a player gets hurt, the game stops so they can get help. This sometimes takes considerable time if a player needs to be attended to on ice, or taken off the ice using a stretcher.
- Offsides and Icing: These are common plays that stop the game frequently. An offside is when a player enters the attacking zone before the puck and icing is when a player shoots the puck from his own side of the center red line to the opposing team’s side of the goal line (if it is not touched by any player).
- Video Reviews: Close calls sometimes require referees to watch a video replay to be certain of the call they made on the ice. These reviews can last several minutes at a time and add some time to the overall clock.
- Commercial Breaks: On television broadcasts, you will notice breaks for commercials. This is also part of the experience. The amount of time added for television commercials also extends the games.
How Different Leagues Affect Game Length
The core concept of three 20-minute periods with intermissions remains pretty consistent across many leagues. However, minor differences exist that can impact game length. Let’s take a peek at how the rules and standards of specific leagues impact game duration.
- The NHL (National Hockey League): The NHL is the top professional hockey league in North America. Their format of three 20-minute periods with 18-minute intermissions is the gold standard that many other leagues try to emulate. These games usually fall in the 2.5-hour range with few exceptions.
- College Hockey (NCAA): College games also use the 20-minute period system, but their intermissions might be slightly shorter, generally at 15 minutes in length. Also, depending on the conference, overtime rules can differ, which can alter the length of the game.
- Junior Hockey: Leagues like the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) which includes the WHL, OHL and QMJHL, use the standard 20-minute periods, the intermission lengths tend to match that of the NHL. However, some junior leagues, especially the ones with younger players, might use shorter periods and less intermission time.
- International Hockey: Tournaments like the Olympics and the World Championships, follow the same 20-minute period and NHL standard intermission rules and generally follow the same clock rules of the NHL.
- Youth Hockey: At the youngest age levels, the duration of each period is typically shortened. This allows younger players with less stamina to play, and also keeps the game at a length that makes more sense. Period lengths might range from 10-15 minutes, with reduced intermission times as well.
Overtime: When the Game Goes Extra
What happens when a game ends in a tie? It goes to overtime! The rules for overtime vary based on the league, but the main idea is to keep the game moving and get a winner. Here is how overtime works in some of the leagues:
- NHL Overtime: In the regular season, if a game is tied after three periods, the teams play a 5-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime. The first team to score wins the game. If nobody scores in overtime, the game goes to a shootout. In the playoffs, overtime periods are 20 minutes, and are 5 on 5 players and continue until someone scores.
- College Overtime: College overtime rules can differ across conferences. Typically, it is a 5 minute period, often with 5 on 5 players. Some conferences also incorporate shootouts after a single overtime period, while others continue with 20 minutes periods until someone wins.
- International Overtime: International overtime generally mirrors NHL rules, with a 5-minute period of sudden-death overtime, and a shootout if nobody scores during that time.
Shootouts: The Final Tie Breaker
When a game is tied after overtime (in the regular season), it often goes to a shootout. In a shootout, players take turns skating in alone on the goalie and trying to score. This can make the game last a little longer, although usually shootouts go very quickly. Each team typically gets three shots, and if the game is still tied, they continue using sudden-death shootout. Every made goal counts as one goal in the final score, however the shootout does not affect statistics like goal totals.
Why Games Vary in Length: It’s a Dance of Timing
Even within the same league, the length of a game can differ from one night to the next. Some games are action-packed with lots of whistles, penalties, and stoppages while other games flow quickly and with limited stoppages. This variability means that planning a trip to see a hockey game can be an unpredictable experience. It is best to err on the side of caution and plan for the game to last close to 3 hours to avoid any issues.
Factors that affect game duration:
- The Number of Penalties: Games with many penalties tend to take longer, as penalties create stoppages and power plays.
- Refereeing Style: Some referees tend to call more penalties than others, which can slow the game down and add some time to the overall duration.
- The Pace of Play: Games where the teams are more aggressive, and have a very back and forth flow with numerous end-to-end rushes, sometimes tend to move faster, with fewer stoppages. A more defensive style of game tends to see the puck locked in one zone for a long time, which could lead to stoppages.
- Injuries: Games with serious injuries can be significantly delayed, as medical personnel attend to the injured player, and potentially removing them from the ice on a stretcher.
The Experience of Watching a Game
The time it takes to watch a hockey game is more than just a set number of minutes. It’s the experience, the ups and downs, the excitement of a close game, or the tension of a tight contest. The time goes by quickly when you’re watching an exciting game, even if it is a long game! Even the short breaks between periods are part of the tradition, from the Zamboni cleaning the ice to the cheers of the crowd.
The length of a hockey game is made up of a lot of moving pieces. While the on-ice action consists of three 20-minute periods, the overall game time involves intermissions, penalties, and other stoppages that can make the game significantly longer. Understanding the various factors allows fans and newcomers alike to better appreciate the unique rhythm of hockey and how the games unfold.
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Final Thoughts
Therefore, hockey games typically last around 2.5 to 3 hours. This includes three 20-minute periods of play, plus intermissions and potential overtime.
Game length can fluctuate slightly based on stoppages and overtime situations. How long are hockey games normally? The answer is generally within this timeframe. Knowing this helps you plan your viewing experience.
