Hockey is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires a lot of stamina, skill, and strategy. But how is a hockey game structured, and how long does it last? In this article, we will answer the question of how many periods are in a hockey game and explain the differences between the regular season, the playoffs, and the recreational levels.
The Basic Structure of a Hockey Game
A hockey game consists of three periods of play, each lasting 20 minutes. The periods are separated by two intermissions each lasting 15 minutes. During the intermissions, the ice is resurfaced by a machine called a Zamboni, which cleans and smooths, the ice to ensure optimal playing conditions.
The main reason for having three periods instead of two halves or four quarters is to maintain the quality of the ice. In the early days of hockey, the game was played with two 30-minute halves, but the ice would deteriorate quickly and affect the flow and speed of the game. In 1910, two players named Lester and Frank Patrick suggested adding another intermission to the game, which would allow the ice to be resurfaced more frequently and give the players more energy.
The three-period structure has been adopted by the NHL and other professional, high-level and international leagues around the world. However, some recreational and youth hockey leagues may have shorter periods, usually between 15 and 20 minutes each, depending on the availability of ice time and the level of competition.
What Happens If the Game Is Tied?
If the score is tied at the end of the third period, the game will go into overtime. The overtime rules vary depending on the type of game and the level of play. Here are some common scenarios:
- In the NHL regular season, the game will go into a 5-minute sudden-death overtime period, where the first team to score wins the game. The overtime period is played with 3-on-3 players, instead of the usual 5-on-5, to create more space and scoring opportunities. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, the game will be decided by a shootout, Where each team selects three players to take penalty shots against the opposing goalie. The team with the most goals after the shootout wins the game. If the shootout is still tied after three rounds, it will continue until one team scores and the other does not.
- In the NHL playoffs, the game will go into a 20-minute sudden-death overtime period, where the first team to score wins the game. The overtime period is played with 5-on-5 players, as in the regular periods. There is no shootout in the playoffs. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, the game will continue with additional 20-minute overtime periods until one team scores. There is no limit to how many overtime periods can be played in the playoffs, and some games have lasted for several hours.
- In other professional, high-level and international leagues, the overtime rules may vary slightly, but they are generally similar to the NHL rules. For example, some leagues may have a 10-minute overtime period instead of a 5-minute one, or a 4-on-4 format instead of a 3-on-3 one. Some leagues may also use a different shootout format, such as a best-of-five or a sudden-death one.
- In recreational and youth hockey leagues, the overtime rules may also vary depending on the league rules and the ice availability. Some leagues may not have overtime at all, and accept a tie as the final result. Some leagues may have a shorter overtime period, such as a 3-minute or a 2-minute one, or a different format, such as a 4-on-4 or a 3-on-3 one. Some leagues may also use a different shootout format, such as a best-of-three or a single round one.
How Long Does a Period Take in Real Time?
A period of hockey is 20 minutes long, but it usually takes longer than that in real time. This is because the clock stops whenever there is a whistle, such as when the puck goes out of play, when there is a penalty, when there is a goal, when there is an icing, when there is an offside, or when there is a timeout. The clock also stops during TV timeouts, which are commercial breaks that occur at certain intervals during the game.
The average length of a period in real time is about 35 minutes, but it can vary depending on the number of stoppages and the length of the intermissions. The average length of a game in real time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but it can also vary depending on the number of overtime periods and shootouts.
Records and Stats
Hockey is a sport that is rich in records and stats, and some of them are related to the periods of the game. Here are some examples of interesting records and stats involving the periods of hockey:
- The longest game in NHL history was played on March 24, 1936, between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons. The game lasted for 176 minutes and 30 seconds, or eight overtime periods, before Detroit’s Mud Bruneteau scored the winning goal. The final score was 1-0.
- The shortest game in NHL history was played on April 3, 1932, between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The game lasted for only 20 minutes and 18 seconds, or one period, before it was called off due to poor ice conditions. The final score was 0-0.
- The most goals scored by a team in one period is nine, which has been achieved four times in NHL history. The most recent occurrence was on January 4, 2020, when the Toronto Maple Leafs scored nine goals in the second period against the Florida Panthers. The final score was 11-7.
- The most goals scored by a player in one period is four, which has been achieved 12 times in NHL history. The most recent occurrence was on February 9, 2018, when Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets scored four goals in the third period against the St. Louis Blues. The final score was 5-4.
- The most points scored by a player in one period is six, which has been achieved twice in NHL history. The first occurrence was on December 5, 1978, when Bryan Trottier of the New York Islanders scored four goals and two assists in the second period against the New York Rangers. The final score was 9-4. The second occurrence was on February 22, 1981, when Darryl Sittler of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored three goals and three assists in the second period against the Boston Bruins. The final score was 8-5.