How Long Is Ice Hockey Game Length Explained

How Long is an Ice Hockey Game?

Okay, let’s dive into the exciting world of ice hockey! You’ve probably seen players zooming around the rink, shooting the puck, and maybe even a few big hits. But have you ever wondered, “Exactly how long does a hockey game last?” It’s a great question, and the answer is a little more interesting than just a single number. It depends on a few different things, like what level of hockey is being played and if the game goes into overtime. So, let’s break it down and explore all the details to understand how long you’ll be glued to your seat!

The Basics: Periods and Regulation Time

At its core, a standard ice hockey game is divided into three main parts called periods. These periods are like the quarters in a basketball game or the innings in baseball. Each period in a professional or major junior hockey game is 20 minutes long, meaning the total playing time is 60 minutes, often called regulation time. However, the clock doesn’t just run continuously for those 20 minutes. There are stoppages for things like penalties, pucks going out of play, and after goals. This means a typical hockey game takes more than 60 minutes to play, even though the active play on the ice lasts for 60 minutes.

Breaks Between Periods

Between each of the three periods, there are intermissions, or breaks. These intermissions aren’t just a quick pause; they’re a chance for the players to rest, strategize, and for the ice to be cleaned and prepared for more action. The standard intermission lasts for 15 to 18 minutes. These breaks also allow fans to visit concession stands, bathrooms, and generally stretch their legs. So, when you’re figuring out how long a hockey game lasts, remember to add the intermission time to the three 20-minute periods.

Different Levels, Different Times

The length of a hockey game isn’t the same across all levels of play. While the NHL and major junior leagues stick with the 20-minute periods, other leagues and age groups often have shorter periods. Let’s look at some of these variations.

Youth Hockey

For younger players, the focus is often more on fun and development than long, grueling games. Youth hockey games can have significantly shorter periods, like 10 or 15 minutes each. The total game time, including intermissions, might only last an hour or less. The exact length of time can vary by age group, so for a specific youth game, it’s best to check the details for that particular league.

College Hockey

College hockey games generally follow the standard professional format of three 20-minute periods. These games are often intense, fast-paced, and the total time you will spend watching is very similar to the NHL games. Like professional hockey, the stoppage in play will extend the duration beyond 60 minutes of ice time.

Other Professional Leagues

While the NHL is the most widely known professional league, other professional and semi-professional leagues exist around the world. The periods in these leagues typically follow the same 20 minute length as the NHL, though again the total game time will vary due to stoppage in play.

The Clock and Stoppages

As we’ve mentioned, the clock in a hockey game isn’t always running. There are a bunch of reasons why the clock might stop during a period, and these stoppages add to the total time of the game. Let’s explore some of these.

Pucks Out of Play

Whenever the puck leaves the playing area, whether it’s over the boards, into the crowd, or hits the protective netting, the clock stops. Play won’t restart until the puck is back in play. These stoppages add to the total time the game takes.

Penalties

When a player commits a foul that results in a penalty, the clock stops. There are varying degrees of penalties like minor and major penalties. Minor penalties usually result in the offending player being removed from the game for two minutes. Major penalties can result in five minute penalties and sometimes, in the case of a really serious foul, an ejection. The clock resumes when the penalty is over or after the penalized team is scored on.

Goals

When a goal is scored, the clock stops so the referee can confirm the goal and so the players and fans can celebrate. The clock starts again once the face-off occurs at center ice.

Injuries

If a player gets injured on the ice, the game will stop to allow medical personnel to help and assess the player. The clock restarts when the player is safely moved off the ice or after the referees determine it is safe to resume play.

Overtime and Shootouts

Sometimes, a game is tied at the end of the three periods. When this happens, the game can go into overtime. Overtime adds more time, and sometimes a different format, to the game. What happens in overtime depends on the league and type of game.

Regular Season Overtime

In most regular season professional hockey games, overtime is played in a 3-on-3 format. This means there are only 3 players per side on the ice, which creates a lot of open space and more exciting chances. Usually, the overtime period is for 5 minutes. If a team scores during that 5 minutes, the game ends immediately and that team wins. If no one scores during the overtime, then the game may proceed to a shootout.

Playoff Overtime

In playoff games, things get even more intense! Overtime is still in the format of 5-on-5, but if no one scores during the overtime period, the game doesn’t end. Instead they play consecutive overtime periods until someone scores. This means playoff games can be really long, and sometimes go into several periods. These games can sometimes end up taking several hours to complete.

Shootouts

If a regular season game is tied after the overtime period, then the game goes to a shootout. In a shootout, players from each team take turns skating towards the goalie and trying to score. Each team gets several attempts, and the team that scores more goals in the shootout wins the game. However, a shootout will not be part of playoff hockey games. Playoff games will instead go to continuous overtimes until a goal is scored. It’s important to note that shootouts are a way of deciding a winner when the teams are tied and are not actual time played.

Average Total Time of a Game

So, with all of this in mind, what’s the average time you can expect to spend watching a hockey game? While the rules say there’s 60 minutes of playing time, remember the clock will often stop and intermissions are added. Here’s a general breakdown:

• Playing Time: 3 periods x 20 minutes = 60 minutes
• Intermission Time: 2 intermissions x 15-18 minutes = 30-36 minutes
• Stoppages: Average additional time from stoppages = 20-40 minutes

Based on these average time estimations, a standard professional hockey game (like an NHL game) lasts between 2 hours and 10 minutes to almost 2 hours and 45 minutes. This can vary, especially with games that go into overtime.

Factors That Can Change Game Length

There are few other factors that can make a game longer or shorter.

Number of Penalties

If there are a lot of penalties in a game, the time will increase because of the stoppage in play.

Number of Goals

While goals are exciting, they do stop the clock, too. A game with many goals will typically be longer than a game with few or no goals.

Injury Stoppages

Serious injuries can cause a game to pause for longer and can increase the total time of a game.

Video Reviews

If a goal is contested by a coach, the game will have a slight pause as the referees take time to review the play.

Summary of Key Points about Game Length

Let’s quickly recap the main points about the duration of a hockey game:

• Standard professional hockey games have three periods of 20 minutes each.
• There are intermissions between each period that typically lasts 15-18 minutes.
• Stoppages in play add to the total game time.
• Youth hockey games often have shorter periods.
• Overtime and shootouts may be used to resolve tied games.
• The total time of a professional hockey game averages between 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes.

So, now you have all the info you need to understand how long to set aside to watch a hockey game. Whether it is a youth league or an NHL playoff game, you can be prepared for all the action!