Hockey is a thrilling and globally loved sport known for its speed and intensity. A common question for both new fans and those curious about the game is: “How long does a hockey game actually last?” The answer isn’t always straightforward and depends on several factors. This guide will break down the typical duration of a hockey game, from professional leagues to other levels of play, and explain what can influence the total time.
Standard Game Time in Professional Hockey
In professional leagues like the NHL (National Hockey League), AHL (American Hockey League), and ECHL (East Coast Hockey League), a standard hockey game is composed of three 20-minute periods of play. These periods are separated by intermissions, providing crucial breaks for players and ice maintenance.
The intermissions following the first and second periods in NHL games are typically 18 minutes long. However, intermission durations can vary in other leagues, sometimes being shorter.
These intermissions, along with scheduled media timeouts, significantly extend the overall game time. In the NHL, there are usually at least three media timeouts per period, primarily to accommodate television commercial breaks. Factoring in these breaks and intermissions, a professional hockey game typically lasts at least two and a half hours from start to finish, despite having only 60 minutes of actual playing time.
Overtime: Extending the Game
If a game remains tied after regulation time (the three 20-minute periods), overtime comes into play to determine a winner. The structure of overtime periods differs depending on the league and whether it’s the regular season or playoffs.
In the NHL regular season, if the score is tied after regulation, a five-minute sudden-death overtime period is initiated. “Sudden death” means the first team to score wins the game. If no goal is scored during this five-minute overtime, the game proceeds to a shootout. A shootout involves players from each team taking penalty shots in a predetermined order until a winner is decided.
However, NHL playoff overtime rules are different. Playoff games tied after regulation enter 20-minute sudden-death overtime periods. These periods continue, with intermissions in between, until one team scores, declaring them the winner. This can lead to exceptionally long games with multiple overtime periods.
Additional Factors Influencing Game Length
Beyond standard periods and overtime, several other elements can contribute to the total duration of a hockey game:
- Timeouts: Each team is permitted one 60-second timeout per game for strategic pauses.
- Television Commercials and Ice Cleaning: Breaks for TV commercials (in televised games) and ice cleaning between periods add to the elapsed time.
- Injuries: If a player is injured and requires assistance off the ice, the game clock is stopped, extending the game time.
- Penalties: Penalties also halt gameplay. Depending on the severity of the infraction, a penalty results in a two-minute or five-minute power play for the opposing team, further adding to the game’s duration.
In conclusion, while the official playing time in a professional hockey game is 60 minutes, the total duration, including intermissions, timeouts, and potential overtime, typically extends to around two and a half hours or longer. Understanding these factors provides a clearer picture of what to expect when tuning in to watch a hockey game.
