How Long Is A Hockey Game Last Time Explained

A standard hockey game lasts 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods, not including intermissions or potential overtime.

Ever wondered about the clock when watching a fast-paced hockey match? Many people ask, “how long is a hockey game last?” It’s a valid question, since the game action appears nonstop. The timing rules for hockey are actually quite specific.

We often see breaks, but these do not form part of the sixty minutes of play. We’ll break down the components of a typical game’s timing in more detail. This will help you understand the full duration.

How Long Does a Hockey Game Last?

Alright hockey fans, let’s dive deep into one of the most common questions about our favorite sport: how long does a hockey game actually last? It might seem like a simple question, but the answer is a bit more nuanced than just saying “60 minutes.” There’s a lot more to it than just the time on the clock, so let’s break it all down.

The Basics: Regulation Time

The foundation of every hockey game is regulation time. This is the standard playing time, and it’s divided into three 20-minute periods. So, if you’re just looking at the pure playing time, that adds up to 60 minutes. But here’s the catch: that 60 minutes is actual playing time. Just like in basketball, the clock stops whenever the puck is out of play or a penalty is called. This means the actual time a hockey game takes is usually much longer than just one hour. The 20 minute mark on the scoreboard is a running clock for the time that the puck is actively in play.

Think of it like this: imagine you’re watching your favorite cartoon. There’s the main story, but there are also commercial breaks between the episodes. Hockey has the same idea; it’s not always non-stop playing action. The stoppages of play for penalties, icing, out of bounds plays or even a goal are akin to those breaks, they add to the total time.

Understanding the Intermissions

Between each of those 20-minute periods, there are intermissions. These are break times, allowing players to rest, coaches to strategize, and fans to get a refill on snacks or visit the restroom. These intermissions are a key part of understanding total hockey game duration.

How Long are Intermissions?

The standard length of an intermission in professional hockey, like the NHL, is 17 minutes. In other leagues, like college or junior hockey, they may be slightly shorter, usually around 15 minutes. These intermissions provide a much-needed pause, both for the players to catch their breath, and for the viewers to analyze the action, which can be quite fast-paced and at times, difficult to follow if you are watching it for the first time. It also allows TV networks to air commercials.

NHL: 17 minutes
College/Junior Hockey: Approximately 15 minutes

So, with two 17-minute intermissions in an NHL game, you’re already adding 34 minutes to the 60 minutes of play. Now, we’re getting to a more accurate picture of a hockey game’s time length.

The Variable: Stoppages in Play

Now, let’s factor in the numerous stoppages that occur during each period. This is where the length of a game can really vary. Here’s a look at some common reasons why the clock stops during a hockey game:

Penalties: When a player commits a foul, the play stops, and a penalty is assessed. The time clock stops.
Icing: If a player shoots the puck from their own side of the center red line all the way down the ice past the opposing team’s goal line, the play is stopped.
Offsides: If a player enters the attacking zone before the puck, the play is stopped.
Puck Out of Play: If the puck leaves the playing area (goes into the crowd or out of the rink), play is stopped.
Goals: When a goal is scored, the play is stopped, and there’s a short celebratory break.
Injuries: Unfortunately, injuries do happen, and play stops to allow players to get medical attention.
Face-offs: These occur after each stoppage in play.
Time Outs: Teams can call a time-out, pausing the clock for strategic discussions.

All these stoppages add significant time to the overall game duration. It is not uncommon for a 20 minute period to take 30 to 40 minutes of actual time to complete. The frequency of these stoppages can vary greatly depending on the style of play and even the referees. A game with lots of penalties will usually take longer than a game with few penalties. These variable factors make each hockey game have a unique time length.

Overtime: When 60 Minutes Isn’t Enough

What happens if the score is tied after three periods? This is where overtime comes into play. Overtime is an extra period played when a game is tied after regulation time. Its purpose is to break the tie and determine a winner.

Overtime in the Regular Season

In the regular NHL season, if the game is tied after regulation, it goes into a 5-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period. If no goal is scored during this overtime period, then the game moves to a shootout to determine a winner. Other leagues, however, might have different rules for regular season overtime periods. It is important to always double check the rules of the league of the game you are watching.

Overtime in the Playoffs

Playoff hockey takes things up a notch. If a playoff game is tied after three periods, it goes into a full, sudden-death 20-minute overtime period. This is a period of hockey where the first goal scored wins the game and the match is over. If no goal is scored, they play another 20 minute overtime period. They will continue playing until a goal is scored. These periods can extend for many periods, which is why playoff games can go on for many hours.

This added overtime period adds considerably to the total time of a game, especially in the playoffs, where games can go to multiple overtime periods.

The Average Game Length

So, let’s tie it all together. While the actual playing time of a hockey game is 60 minutes, the total time a game lasts, including intermissions and stoppages, is considerably longer.

Typical Time Breakdown

60 Minutes: Actual playing time (three 20-minute periods)
34 Minutes: Intermissions (two 17-minute breaks in the NHL)
20-40+ Minutes: Approximate extra time for stoppages, varying by game

Therefore, an average professional hockey game, in the regular season, typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours from start to finish. However, this is just an average. Games with many penalties, lots of stoppages, or overtime will extend even longer than that. Playoff games can last even longer, sometimes going over 4 hours with multiple overtime periods. This is what makes watching live hockey a fantastic experience, because you never know how long the game will last.

Factors Influencing Game Length

Several factors can impact how long a hockey game takes. Here are the key things that influence the total game length:

Refereeing

Referees have a significant impact on game length. If they call many penalties, the game will naturally take longer. Some referees tend to call the game tighter than others, which means more stoppages. This leads to more time added to the overall time of the game.

Game Intensity and Style

A physical, rough game will have more stoppages and thus extend the total game time. Some teams play a more defensive style of game which leads to a more conservative and slower game, which can lead to a longer game as well. On the flip side, teams playing a more offensive style can lead to more penalties and other stoppages as players try to take chances and create goal scoring opportunities.

Injuries

Any serious injury during the game can add significantly to the game’s duration. Players need to be looked at by medical professionals and this causes a substantial halt to the game.

Shootouts

If a regular season game goes to a shootout, it adds extra time to the game. Sometimes the shootout can continue for a long time as the goalkeepers stop each player that shoots. These shootouts can sometimes add a great deal of extra time to the overall game time.

Playoff Overtime

Playoff overtime can extend a game quite substantially. Sudden death overtime in the playoffs can lead to many additional overtime periods being played, adding a lot of time to the game. This can lead to playoff games sometimes lasting for many hours before the match is complete. These games are often the most exciting, and fans love to watch these overtime periods.

Specific League Differences

While the basic structure is generally the same, the specific rules surrounding game length can vary across different hockey leagues. Let’s explore the differences between the major leagues:

National Hockey League (NHL)

The NHL uses the standard three 20-minute periods, 17-minute intermissions, and a 5-minute, 3-on-3 overtime in the regular season, followed by a shootout if required. Playoff overtime consists of a full 20-minute sudden death period. This is the standard by which other leagues measure their timing for hockey games.

American Hockey League (AHL)

The AHL, the primary development league for the NHL, follows very similar rules as the NHL. However, there can be slight differences in their overtime rules for the regular season, which might sometimes lead to differences in the overall game time.

College Hockey (NCAA)

College hockey games also have three 20-minute periods, but often have shorter intermissions of around 15 minutes. Overtime can differ depending on the league. Some leagues have a 5 minute sudden death 5-on-5 overtime, with a tie if no goal is scored. However, some leagues will play a longer sudden death period, similar to the NHL playoff format. It is best to check the league rules to make sure.

Junior Hockey

Junior hockey also largely follows the rules of the NHL, including 20-minute periods, however, they often have slightly shorter intermissions. Overtime rules can differ depending on the league.

What to Expect When Watching a Hockey Game Live

When you go to a hockey game live, it is important to remember that these games can take a long time. The average game will take between 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. The start time of the match is always approximate, as stoppages and other unexpected factors can add a lot of time to the game. Fans should always allow ample time to get to the game, and should expect to be there for a significant amount of time.

It’s wise to wear comfortable clothing, and be prepared for the possibility of the game going to overtime. If it’s a playoff game, you might want to even plan for a much longer night! It is always a good idea to have something to drink and something to eat, as it is easy to get hungry when you are spending multiple hours watching a hockey game.

Tips for Planning Around Game Length

Knowing that hockey games can vary in length, here are a few tips for planning around your hockey schedule:

Check the start time carefully: Always confirm the exact start time of the game.
Add extra time: Plan for at least 3 hours for a regular season game, and more if it’s the playoffs.
Factor in travel: Always allow enough time for travelling to and from the arena.
Plan for concessions: Bring some extra spending money for food and drinks.
Be flexible: If it is a playoff game, be flexible and prepared for a long night.

Being prepared for a game of varied length helps make watching the game more comfortable and allows you to enjoy all the excitement that hockey brings!

So, while the official playing time is always 60 minutes, the actual duration of a hockey game is a much more complicated matter. Between intermissions, stoppages, and the ever-present possibility of overtime, a hockey game can take anywhere from a couple of hours to considerably longer. Now that you are armed with all the knowledge you need about hockey game times, you are ready to watch your next game like a pro!