How Many Periods in Hockey?

Hockey is a very popular sport, and the NHL has become known for its fast-paced games that can be watched by fans of all ages. The typical three-period hockey game lasts 20 minutes each; however, youth or rec leagues may use 15 – 19 minute periods instead depending on their level (youths often play shorter schedules). Games ending tied require an overtime session where both teams get one chance to score before going into sudden death mode which means there’s no time limit so you’ve got plenty more chances.

Hockey might seem like a complicated sport with its period of play and all, but it’s easy enough for newcomers to understand. It goes something like this: there are two twenty-minute periods; then after the first one ends (or before), they do another forty-five minutes or so–and until those final few moments when your team has won. It is a game played in periods. Every hockey game always has three of these periods, which can vary depending on the level being franchised and will depend also on how long each period lasts but they’re standard for all lower levels so no matter what you’ll be sure to get your fair share.

hockey periods

Everyone involved with the game from the players to spectators and commentators refers to the periods as the “first period,” “second period,” and “third period.” The rule and structure of a three-period, 20-minute game was first implemented in the National Hockey Association (NHA) in the 1910-11 seasons. Prior to 1910, games were actually played in two 30-minute periods.

The NHL was founded in 1917, and they have always played with the three-game format. If there is a tie at end of regulation time then it goes into overtime; this exception only applies when two teams are playing each other that both deserve to win (and not just because one scored more goals than another).

Is Overtime a Period in Hockey?

Hockey overtime is an extension of regulation play. It’s not exactly seen or referred to as the fourth period – it’s simply called ‘overtime’. The outcome for this type of game counts towards player and goaltender statistics just like during regular team sports movies with no intermission between second halves. The results, goals scored count toward stats too.

The shootout has been a part of the game since its inception and is still going strong today. Unlike over time, which can take up to three periods with no time limit on each side’s goal count or shots allowed before switching sides for another go-around in case one team reaches their tying score first; only single exceptions will be made during shootouts where teams are duty-bound by rulebook restrictions placed upon them from playing additional “mini” games under certain conditions such as having already played difficult circumstances respectively.

How Long Is a Hockey Period?

Hockey is one of the most exciting sports in America, and it’s no surprise that people love playing this sport. The standard period for hockey lasts about 20 minutes; however professional leagues play 60-minute games with three intermissions which make up what we know as a “game”. These breaks between periods also add extra time on our clocks so you can see how long your favorite team will be out there.

In youth and recreational leagues, the periods often last 15 minutes. This is because arena ice bookings are only 60-90 minute affairs which means that there will be a break in play every so often for setup or cleanup work between competitions without any intermission time as professional games do have pause opportunities during those pauses where players can stretch their legs & get drinks from vending machines if they need anything before continuing on with game action again once ready.

hockey periods

Ice timeslots are close together, which makes it difficult for ice hockey leagues to play overtime if a game ends its regulation time in a tie. However, some do shootouts and others still allow games that end with no winner because they don’t want their league’s schedule impacted by an unnecessary extra period of playing each night – this was especially true before the 2005-06 seasons when NHL went through its lost lockout year from 2004–05. Prior to 2005, in NHL regular-season games, teams would play a single five-minute overtime period if the game’s regulation time ended in a tie.

How Do Playoff Overtime Periods Work?

hockey periods

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have overtime periods that last for 20 minutes, just like the standard game. The “sudden death” rule means they’ll keep going until one team scores – no extra time in soccer-style shootouts where multiple players can score during addition play. The playoff overtime periods run for 20 minutes and will feature a shorter intermission if subsequent periods are required beyond the first one. The intermission basically lasts as long as it takes for the Zamboni to resurface the ice, rather than waiting the full 17 minutes of the standard intermission break. The overtime periods in a hockey game aren’t called the “fourth period,” but rather an additional double-overtime (and so on). The name of each individual round is discretionarily shortened to 1OT, 2 OT, or 3 OTLT depending upon how many overtimes there are.

So, although every other hockey game will limit you to a maximum of 65 minutes (60 minutes of regulation plus five minutes of overtime), playoff overtime can extend well beyond the duration of a typical three-period hockey game.

hockey periods

Hockey is a game of inches. That’s why when you’re watching the NHL; there will usually be at least one or two games that go into double overtime every year! In fact- especially in recent memory -the longest playoff OT period lasted 12 minutes and ended with Philadelphia Flyers winning over Pittsburgh 2 1.

Hockey is a game most commonly played with standard 20-minute, three-period formats. The only time it goes beyond overtime in an extended format would be during the NHL’s playoffs when there are sudden death sessions that can last up until five minutes total before one team scores resulting in another complete ten-minute session starting from then on if needed for any additional tiebreaker games due to tied points between teams.

Scroll to Top