Introduction
Hockey Game Length: A Quick Overview One of the most frequently asked questions by hockey viewers – especially when it comes to new fans – is “how long does a hockey game last?” The answer might not be as simple as you’d think, since a bunch of factors can change up your experience and how long the game is in totality. Hockey games usually have three 20 minute periods.
Certain things like penalties, overtime and multiple stoppages in a game can also add on to the total length. In this post, we’ll take a look at how long you can expect hockey games to last, go through the rules which influence game length and highlight what separates professional, collegiate and junior games from each other. By the conclusion, you should have no trouble following along with the timeline of a hockey game, including overtime periods, intermissions, penalties and more.
How Long Is a Hockey Game in Minutes?
Hockey game format At the pro level, a hockey match has a very specific structure. Let’s break it down:
Regulation Playtime
A professional hockey game in the NHL (National Hockey League) typically consists of 60 minutes of playing time. This is divided between three 20 minute sessions. There are breaks between periods when the players rest and the ice is resurfaced (and fans can take a nature break).
Intermissions
There are 15-18 minutes breaks for each of the intermissions as every two periods have them. This provides a break for players to rest and recover, and allows the ice resurface. Refreshing the ice is a key to good play. The ice is resurfaced with a Zamboni which can take a couple minutes and may add even more time to the length of the game. This is common in the pro game.
How Long Do the Periods Last?
Periods are 20 minutes of play. Once you account for a play stoppages the amount of time that the game runs may be significantly greater than 90 minutes (or whatever the sum of actual time played should be) anyway.
Factors That Determine Hokey Game Length
Although a regulation hockey game is 60 minutes of action, the same cannot be said for the actual length of one. But why — or how — exactly do games drag on so long?
Overtime
And in many leagues, games that don’t end after a tie in the regulation go to overtime. NHL +5-minute overtime (played 3-on-3) is also applied. That leaves only three players from each team to skate, creating some open skating and scoring opportunities. And if there is no score during that 5-minute period, we have a shootout, wherein single players rush the goal against the other team’s goalie.
NHL Overtime: 5-minute 3-on-3 format
Shootout: If there is still no winner after sudden death, the winner is decided by a shootout.
In other leagues, overtime can be longer (or shorter), and some do not use a shootout to decide the winner. For instance, college hockey might play a single 10-minute overtime.
Penalties
Hockey has multiple penalties and most of them really speed up the game. If a penalty is called for, the clock does not stop; the player who caused the penalty sits in the punishment seat. The team plays short-handed while the other is on a power play.
Minor penalties last 2 minutes.
Major penalties last 5 minutes.
Misconduct penalties can range up to 10 minutes, although a player serving one does not go to the penalty box unless more than one penalty is incurred.
Penalties create stoppages in the game, which increase overall game duration. They can also yield penalty kills or power plays, which are game-changing micro-moments.
Injury Timeouts
When in comes to playing hockey, injury stoppages can sometimes lead to extra playing time. If a player is injured, referees will halt play so that the team doctors can visit the field to treat the player. This pause is a few minutes long, or maybe longer depending on the injury and contributes to games taking several hours. In rare cases, a player may require attention by the ice crew and suffer an injury that leads to a true medical stoppage in which he is helped off the ice.
How Long Are Hockey Games at the Different Levels
The NHL is the most widely known professional ice hockey league, but there are numerous other leagues such as the KHL, SHL and National League. Game length Gametimes can change based on league or level of play.
NHL (Professional Level)
It really is quite close, as in the NHL, professional hockey games last somewhere between 2.5 and 3 hours once you factor in stoppages, intermissions, overtime periods and shootouts.
- Game time: 60 minutes of play
- Intermissions: 15-18 minutes between periods
- Overtime: 5 minutes of 3-on-3; followed by a shootout, if necessary
- Total Time: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
College Hockey
Structures College hockey (including NCAA) has the same basic structure as high school games, but there are some variations. Similar to the NHL, games are divided into three periods with possible variation in overtime rules.
Game time: 60 minutes of play
Intermissions: Usually 15-18 minutes
Overtime: College hockey has a 5-minute sudden-death overtime period, and follows that with a shootout to determine a winner if the game is still tied.
Total Time: Per usual about 2-2.5 hours
Junior Hockey
For junior league games, like those in the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) or USHL (United States Hockey League) among others it follows much of the same pattern as pro play, however the lengths of games may be a little shorter depending on how young the players are and what they’re league rules are.
- Game time: 60 minutes of play
- Intermissions: Usually 15 minutes
Extra time: Five minutes of sudden-death, then penalty shootout if needed
Time Required: Usually ~2 hours
Amateur & Youth Hockey
Depending on if you’re amateur or youth, hockey games can differ in length. More recently, younger players have been getting shorter stretches and not necessarily the full 60 minutes.
- Game length: Periods of 12 to 15 minutes each, frequently on running clocks
- Intermissions: Shorter intermissions
- Total Time: Typically 1.5–2 hours, depending on how well everyone plays.
Stopping & Game Flow Effects
Faceoffs and Puck Drops
A hockey game’s rollercoaster rhythm is frequently dictated by faceoffs and puck drops. Every time play is stopped for an off side, icing, or other reason, the game restarts with a faceoff. Although these face-offs just take a few seconds, they can add up in the long run, and even be particularly stressful in high-intensity matchups.
Challenges and Referee Decisions
Referee decisions, sometimes with video review, also can delay a game. If there’s a challenge or a contested call (like a goal or penalty), the referees may review the play, and that can contribute to even more whistles and on-ice time More.
Why Do Hockey Games Appear to Last Longer Than Other Sports?
From fans, you hear a lot that hockey games feel long – even if the official game time is less. This is a result of the fast-paced game and various stoppages in play. From penalties to goal celebrations and fights, there is always something going on in hockey that even extends the game time.
FAQs:
How long is a hockey game?
A regulation professional ice hockey game is 60 minutes long (three 20 minute periods). But with intermissions, overtime and stoppages in play, the game can stretch to 2.5 to 3 hours.
What occurs when a hockey match is draw?
In the NHL, 5 minutes of OT is played if the game is tied after 60 minutes. Otherwise, the game ends in a shootout to determine the winning team.
What are the lengths of the intermissions in a hockey game?
In the NHL, intermissions run 15-18 minutes; long enough for players to rest and the ice to be resurfaced between periods.
Does the game clock stop on penalties?
No, the game clock runs during penalties. But when it is a penalty, play stops and the guilty team’s player goes to the “penalty box.”
What is the normal length of overtime in hockey?
In the NHL, overtime is 5 minutes of 3-on-3. A shootout is held if no goals are scored.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how long a hockey game is then there are several elements to consider: the flow of an actual game, overtime, breaks in play for penalties that occur, and so on. A regular game play can last up to 2 and half, to three hours including intermissions, timeouts and overtime. Looking at the rules, it’s easier to understand what dictates the total length of a hockey game. Whether you’re a casual fan or an experienced hockey buff, understanding what affects the length of games can enhance your viewing experience.