The majority of major sports leagues around the world, including hockey and football (American), have implemented some type of tie-breaking system to guarantee each game has an allotted winner. This is done in order for fans that pay money towards their tickets that they won’t see anything but action; it also helps promote competition between teams as well.
The hockey shootout is a very exciting way to decide who will win in tied games. In this competition, players start with the puck at center ice and as an opportunity 1-1 against their opponent’s goalie; only movement allowed forward. The National Hockey League has been using Shootouts to decide games since the 2005/06 season. If it’s still level after five minutes of sudden death overtime, then they will use a shootout instead of going into another whole period or taking extra time off work for nothing.
Shootout Rules
In hockey, each team has the option of taking three penalty shots on their opponent’s goal line. The game will continue until one player scores and wins it all. The game ends as soon as one team manages to score and the other doesn’t after taking equal amounts of shots.
What Happens In A Shootout?
The game of hockey is full speed ahead, with players racing to score goals against each other. It starts out as an individual effort but quickly changes into one where teamwork becomes key in order for teams’ fortunes aren’t die out too soon.
Shootout Rules
Here are some of the key rules that apply during a shootout.
- The home team chooses if it will shoot first or second in the shootout.
- Shooters must move the puck forwards
- A shooter is allowed one shot only on an attempt and can’t touch the puck after releasing it
- The goaltender isn’t allowed to throw their stick or any other piece of equipment at the shooter
- A goaltender may be changed before the shootout begins but not after the first shot is taken unless due to injury
- A player may take only one shot unless all players have taken their turn
No Shootouts in Playoffs
The NHL has a different overtime system for its playoffs than the regular season. All tied games during this time are decided in sudden-death, 20-minute extravaganzas with an intermission between each stanza. The 1935/36 Stanley Cup drought was broken when the Detroit Red Wings beat Montreal 1-0 in overtime. They scored their winning goal after an additional 116 minutes and 30 seconds of play, making it the longest game ever played on NHL ice until now.
The longest overtime game in pro hockey history is believed to have been played between the Storhamar Dragons and Sparta Warriors when it went into eight periods of extra time. The match ended after 157 minutes with a scoreless tie; resulting from a drawn battle at 1-1 overall through three overtimes. The contest lasted 8.5 hours and you can just imagine how physically exhausted the players would have been after that long of an event.
History of NHL Overtime
The NHL introduced hockey shootout less than 20 years ago, but they were used to settle tie games until 1942. After that point in time, there was no more play required and each team got one point whether it is for winning or drawing – even if the match ended tied at 0-0.
The NHL has always been a league that values competition and tries to make it as competitively balanced as possible. This is why they rushed in with an overtime period back when there were only four minutes left on the clock, but now have given themselves even more time by adding another five-minute session should teams choose not to take advantage of their first opportunity after two periods expire without either team scoring any goals (or points). Teams that lose games in overtime or a shootout have the result listed as (OTL), which means they lost to an overtime goal.
Shootout Controversy
The shootout has been a much-debated topic in hockey as many purists argue that the game should end with two teams tied. Some say it’s unfair to decide games this way, but others enjoy seeing how well their team does against another opponent when they have an opportunity for victory right at hand. Those who support shootout believe it is a fun way to decide the game and provides quick results for all fans.
Shootouts and Player Statistics
Hockey leagues often keep separate statistics for shooters and goaltenders. For example, a player might be known to have scored on 50% of their shootout attempts by scoring five goals out of ten shots while another may have an impressive 90 percent save rate despite only having nine saves made in ten opportunities. The data is not added to individual and league totals when it comes to goals scored, saves made, or total against a team.
The shootout is an exciting way to end a game, but it doesn’t count towards your league’s overall statistics. The netminders get credit for shutouts no matter who wins in overtime or the shooters’ score during shootouts; they could be responsible for more than one goal even if there were multiple participants.
The final score is always recorded as one goal in a shootout. For example, if you have 3 goals scored during regulation time and then take some more shots on goal but fail to find the net again before going into overtime or penalties (whichever comes first), your team will still notch up 4-3 victory for themselves.
Can Hockey Games End in a Tie
The NHL has changed the rules of play in order to prevent ties. Since there can no longer be a draw at end-of-season games, shootouts are used instead and this process continues until one team scores enough goals against their opponent for victory without having any points awarded beforehand.
