The total time for a standard hockey game is 60 minutes of play, divided into three 20-minute periods, not including intermissions or potential overtime.
Ever wondered about the duration of an ice hockey match? It’s a common question for those new to the sport or even seasoned fans. Knowing how long sre hockey games can help plan your viewing or attendance.
The game clock is something many people ask about, especially considering there are also stoppages and periods of rest in between each one of the playing segments. Figuring out the total time investment means going a bit beyond just the core playing time.
How Long Are Hockey Games? A Detailed Look
So, you’re curious about how long hockey games last? It’s a great question! Unlike some sports with a set time, hockey has a few factors that can change how long you’ll be watching. Let’s dive into the details and break down what makes up the total time of a hockey game.
The Basics: Periods and Time
At its core, a standard hockey game is made up of three main parts, called periods. Each period is 20 minutes long, but that’s not the whole story! Think of it like chapters in a book. You have three 20-minute “chapters” of action. These periods are real-time, meaning when the clock is running, the game is happening. Now, the clock does stop a lot, which we’ll cover soon.
Breaks Between Periods
Between each period, there’s a break where the teams go to their locker rooms to rest and talk strategy. These breaks are called intermissions, and they typically last 15 to 18 minutes. These times allow players to refuel, talk to their coaches, and get ready for the next part of the game. It also gives the ice crew time to make sure the ice is in great shape for the next period.
Why Games Aren’t Just 60 Minutes
Okay, so if there are three 20-minute periods, that should be 60 minutes, right? Not quite! The game clock stops a lot. Here are some of the main reasons why:
- Penalties: When a player breaks the rules, they might get a penalty. When a penalty occurs, the clock stops. The penalty time is added to the game, and during the penalty, one team plays short-handed. After the penalty the clock starts running again.
- Puck Out of Play: If the puck goes outside the playing area, like into the stands or over the glass, the clock stops. The game starts again once the ref drops the puck back into play.
- Goals: When a team scores, the clock also stops briefly, to allow for the celebration and time to set up the face-off at the centre ice.
- Injuries: If a player is hurt, the game clock stops so that they can get help. The clock restarts when the player is attended to, and is safe to continue.
- Timeouts: Each team gets one timeout per game. When the team calls a time-out, the game stops. The timeout provides time for coaches to instruct and allow players to rest.
- Official Review: When there is a question about a penalty or a goal, the officials may use video to review the play. During video reviews, the clock will stop.
All these stops can add a significant amount of time to the overall game length. So while the ‘playing time’ is 60 minutes, the total game duration can be much longer.
Average Hockey Game Length
So, if it’s not just 60 minutes, then how long are hockey games typically? The average professional hockey game, like in the NHL, lasts around 2.5 to 3 hours. That includes the intermissions and all the stops in play. It’s important to remember this is just an average. Some games may be shorter, and some can be much longer.
Factors that Affect Game Length
Several things can affect how long a hockey game takes. Let’s explore these in a little more detail:
Lots of Penalties
If there are many penalties in a game, the clock will stop frequently and more time will be added to the length of the game. Games with lots of rough play can have many penalties, which will naturally make the game longer.
Power Plays
When a team has a power play, meaning they have more players on the ice than the other team, the clock can stop if they score a goal. The added time stops increase the game’s length. If there is a lot of power play action in a game, it can contribute to a longer game length.
Overtime
If the game is tied at the end of the three regular periods, the game will go into overtime. In the NHL regular season, overtime is a five-minute sudden-death period (it can be longer in the playoffs). This means the first team to score wins. In the playoffs, the overtime periods are full 20-minute periods and if the first overtime doesn’t decide the game, they keep playing these overtime periods until someone wins. This can dramatically increase the game time and lead to some really long and exciting games!
Injuries and Other Delays
As we already mentioned, injuries can stop the clock, but other delays can also happen. For example, there might be a delay for a equipment malfunction, where one player has a broken skate or helmet. If these delays happen, they can extend the game length beyond the typical window.
Hockey Game Length in Different Leagues
It’s also worth noting that the length of hockey games can vary depending on the league and level of play. Let’s take a look at some examples:
NHL (National Hockey League)
The NHL is the top professional hockey league in North America. We’ve already discussed how NHL games typically last 2.5 to 3 hours. NHL overtime in the playoffs can create extremely long games sometimes. This adds to the excitement and drama.
AHL (American Hockey League)
The AHL is considered the primary development league for the NHL. The AHL games follow similar rules and format to the NHL, and the total game time falls within similar timeframes of about 2.5 to 3 hours on average, including intermissions and other stoppages.
Minor League Hockey
Minor league hockey such as ECHL, SPHL or other professional minor leagues, follow the same structure as the NHL with 3 periods of 20 minutes each, with the average total time of the game also between 2.5 to 3 hours. Though sometimes they have less stoppages in play that can lead to a slightly shorter time window.
College Hockey
College hockey games usually also consist of three 20-minute periods, similar to professional leagues. The total game duration might be a bit shorter, on average, than pro leagues, coming in somewhere around 2 to 2.5 hours. This can be because there may be fewer penalties in a college game than in a professional game.
Youth Hockey
Youth hockey games are typically much shorter. The length of periods will vary depending on the age level. Younger groups may have 10 or 12 minute periods, while older age groups may have the full 20 minutes. Also, in some youth leagues, they may have running time, meaning the clock only stops for injuries or goals, and will run continuously for penalties and pucks out of play. These differences mean the total game length varies quite a bit and can be less than 2 hours in most cases.
Shorter Periods in Younger Leagues
Younger hockey players may have shorter periods to allow them to focus more efficiently and not tire out as quickly. This also ensures a shorter length for the whole game.
Reduced Penalties and Stoppages
Youth games tend to have fewer penalties and stoppages in play, which also results in a shorter overall game time.
Why Understanding Game Length Matters
Knowing approximately how long a hockey game lasts is useful for a few reasons. It helps when you’re planning to attend a game, or if you just want to watch on television. Here are some things you might use this information for:
- Planning your schedule: If you’re attending a game in person, knowing the game’s length helps you plan your travel, parking, and any pre- or post-game activities.
- Arranging TV viewing: If you’re watching at home, you’ll know how long to set aside on your schedule, or if you might need to record the game.
- Understanding overtime: Knowing that overtime can extend the length of a game can help you plan ahead when you’re watching or attending.
Tips For Enjoying the Game
Now that you have a better understanding of how long hockey games are, here are some ideas to make sure you enjoy the experience:
- Get there early: If you’re attending a game in person, getting there early allows you time to find your seats, grab some food, and watch the teams warm up.
- Stay hydrated: Whether you are at the rink or at home, remember to stay hydrated. Watching a game can be exciting, so water is good for you!
- Be patient: The stoppages and pace of a game are part of what makes hockey exciting. Embrace the ebb and flow of the game, and enjoy the breaks in play.
- Have fun: Hockey is a fast and exciting sport, so relax, and enjoy the action!
So, while the clock on the ice says 60 minutes, a hockey game’s real length is often closer to 2.5 to 3 hours. With all the stops, starts, and intermissions, it’s best to plan for a longer experience. This is part of what makes the game so unique and exciting. Knowing this will help you make the most of your time whether you are a player, fan, or a new comer to hockey.
How long is a hockey game?
Final Thoughts
Therefore, understanding ‘how long sre hockey games’ is crucial. A standard NHL game lasts 60 minutes, divided into three 20-minute periods.
However, stoppages for penalties, icing, and other events extend the overall time. You can typically expect a game to run for about two and a half hours including intermissions.
So, factor that time into your viewing plans. Keep in mind playoff games can sometimes run longer due to overtime.
