Whether you’re a new hockey fan or lifelong enthusiast, understanding the basic structure of a hockey game is key.
One of the most common questions from newcomers are How Many Quarters in Ice Hockey? and “How many periods are in a hockey game?” This overview breaks down the segments that make up regulation play and overtime in an ice hockey match.
Hockey at the professional level follows a very specific format – three standard periods of 20 minutes each and there is no quarter. However, other levels of ice hockey can have different rules and formats based on the league. Understanding the basics helps you better comprehend and enjoy the game.
Key Takeaways
- A regulation NHL hockey game has 3 periods, 20 minutes long each
- There are 15-18 minute intermissions between periods to resurface the ice and allow for breaks
- The total game time is 60 minutes of play plus overtime if necessary
- Other leagues may use slightly different period structures like 15 minute periods
- The 3 period format fits hockey games neatly into a 2.5-3 hour time slot for ice crews, TV, venues, and fans
Ice Hockey: A Game Divided into Three Periods
Ice hockey is conventionally divided into three 20-minute periods. This division is consistent across most professional hockey leagues, including the NHL. Each of these periods is followed by an intermission, except after the third period.
Standard Periods in an NHL Hockey Game
In the NHL (National Hockey League), the highest level of competition, a standard hockey game consists of:
- 3 periods
- Each period is 20 minutes
- There are intermissions between periods
This gives a total regulation game length of 60 minutes of actual play.
The three periods are structured as:
- 1st Period – The opening 20 minutes
- 2nd Period – The middle 20 minutes
- 3rd Period – The final 20 minutes
Between each period, there is a 15-18 minute intermission which allows:
- Teams to rest and strategize in the locker room
- The ice surface to be resurfaced by the ice resurfacer machine
- Fans to take a break, purchase refreshments, socialize, etc.
If the game is tied at the end of the 3rd period, additional overtime periods are played until a winner is determined.
The Role and Duration of Intermissions
Between the first and second periods, as well as between the second and third periods, there are intermissions. These intermissions typically last 15 minutes each. They are crucial not only for ice maintenance but also provide players a break to strategize and recover.
| League | Number of periods | Overtime period |
|---|---|---|
| NHL | 3 | 5-minute sudden death |
| AHL | 3 | 5-minute sudden death |
| ECHL | 3 | 5-minute sudden death |
| NCAA | 3 | 5-minute sudden death |
| CHL | 3 | 5-minute sudden death |
How Many Quarters & How Many Periods Are There in Ice Hockey?
There are 3 periods in ice hockey, each period is 20 minutes long. There are no quarters in ice hockey.
Overtime Rules in NHL Hockey
In the NHL, the nature of overtime varies between the regular season and the playoffs. If a game is tied at the end of the three periods in the regular season, a 5-minute sudden death overtime is played.
This means that the first team to score a goal during this overtime wins the game. If neither team scores during this period, the game proceeds to a shootout, where select players from each team take one-on-one shots against the opposing goalie.
During the playoffs, the approach changes. Instead of a short overtime and a potential shootout, playoff games use 20-minute sudden death overtime periods.
This can result in long, grueling matches, as the game doesn’t end until one team scores a goal. There have been instances where multiple overtime periods were required, making these matches some of the most memorable in NHL history.
Structure of a Standard Ice Hockey Game
| Period | Duration | Intermission |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 minutes | 15 minutes |
| 2 | 20 minutes | 15 minutes |
| 3 | 20 minutes | Overtime if necessary (sudden death, 5 minutes long) |
Why Are There 3 Periods in Hockey?
The 3 period structure developed over hockey’s history for several practical reasons:
- Ice resurfacing – Period breaks allow the rink crew to resurface the ice for optimal play.
- Rest and strategy – Teams can recoup energy and develop tactics during intermissions in the locker room.
- Spectator experience – Fans can take breaks without missing action. Vendors can sell refreshments between periods.
- TV broadcast schedule – Periods and intermissions fit nicely into TV time slots and commercial breaks.
Three 20-minute periods optimize the game flow for players, fans, broadcasters, and venue operations.
Typical Length of an Entire NHL Game
While a regulation NHL hockey game is 60 minutes of actual playing time, the entire event lasts around 2.5-3 hours typically.
This accounts for pre-game warmups, intermissions between periods, overtime if needed, and post-game wrap-up.
The full structure of a standard NHL game looks like:
- Pregame Warmup – 16 minutes
- 1st Period – 20 minutes of play
- 1st Intermission – 18 minutes
- 2nd Period – 20 minutes of play
- 2nd Intermission – 18 minutes
- 3rd Period – 20 minutes of play
- Overtime – 5 minutes to 20+ minutes if necessary
- Shootout – If no score in overtime, best-of-3 shootout
- Postgame Wrap Up – 10-15 minutes
So while the actual hockey only takes 60 minutes, the entire event is a 3 hour experience for fans in the arena.
Periods in Other Hockey Leagues
The three 20-minute period format is standard across most professional and international hockey leagues, like:
- IIHF Hockey – International Ice Hockey Federation
- Olympic Ice Hockey
- NCAA College Hockey
- Most Professional European Hockey Leagues
However, some recreational or junior hockey leagues may use slightly different structures:
- Junior leagues may have 15-minute periods instead of 20-minute.
- Youth hockey often has 3 shorter periods tailored to age levels.
- Non-professional leagues sometimes have 2 x 30-minute halves instead of 3 periods.
So the number of periods can vary depending on the level of competition. But the standard for top-tier professional ice hockey globally is 3 periods of 20 minutes each.
Differences Between Regular Season and Playoff Games
As outlined above, the key difference is how ties are resolved. The regular season employs a 5-minute overtime followed by a shootout if needed, whereas the playoffs continue with full 20-minute overtime periods until a decisive goal is scored.
Field Hockey vs. Ice Hockey: Understanding the Quarters Structure
Field hockey, often played outdoors on grass or turf, follows a different time structure. The game is divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each, with short breaks between each quarter.
This allows players to rest, hydrate, and strategize. The quarters format is relatively new to field hockey, introduced to make the game more viewer-friendly and to provide more opportunities for commercials during broadcasts.
How is a Hockey Game’s Time Managed with Stoppages?
In ice hockey, the game clock is meticulously managed. Any time there’s a stoppage – be it for penalties, goals, the puck leaving the playing surface, or other reasons – the clock stops.
This ensures that fans and players get a genuine 60 minutes of game time. However, due to these stoppages, an average NHL game, including intermissions, can last around 2.5 to 3 hours.
Professional vs. Recreational Hockey: Are There Differences?
Certainly! Recreational or amateur hockey leagues might not always follow the standard NHL structure.
Some leagues might have shorter periods, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes, and may not always have the same stringent stoppage rules.
Furthermore, the quality and maintenance of the ice surface in recreational settings might not necessitate the same frequency and length of intermissions.
Historical Perspective: How Did This Structure Come About?
The three-period format in ice hockey was standardized in the early 20th century. Initially, games were played in two halves, similar to sports like soccer.
However, due to the physical demands of the sport, and the need for regular ice maintenance, the game’s structure evolved. The shift also aligned with the professionalization of the sport and the formation of leagues like the NHL.
Comparing Ice Hockey with Other Sports: Periods and Quarters
The structure of a sporting game often reflects its history, requirements, and traditions. For instance, basketball, with its indoor setting and rapid back-and-forth action, is divided into four quarters.
Football or soccer, given its continuous play and large field, is split into two halves. Rugby also uses two halves. Each sport’s structure is optimized for its unique pacing, demands, and strategies, with ice hockey’s three-period structure offering a balance between play, rest, and strategy.
Hockey Period Fun Facts
Some additional interesting facts about periods in a hockey game:
- Each team has 18 to 20 hockey players who rotate shifts on the ice during a period. Forwards play 45-60 second shifts while defenders play 30-40 second shifts typically.
- The team that scores first wins roughly 75% of NHL games, so the 1st period is often critical.
- The final minutes of a close 3rd period are exceptionally intense with teams pressuring to score or defend a small lead.
- Teams switch defending ends after the 2nd period to account for any advantage from the arena/ice setup.
- Play continues during a period unless the referee stops it due to a rule infraction, injury, or damaged ice surface.
FAQs
What happens if the game is tied at the end of three periods?
If the game is tied at the end of three periods, it goes into overtime. Overtime is a sudden-death period, meaning that the first team to score a goal wins the game. Overtime periods are 5 minutes long, and if the game is still tied after one overtime period, additional overtime periods are played until there is a winner.
What is the difference between periods and quarters?
Periods and quarters are two different ways of dividing up the playing time in a sporting event. Periods are typically used in sports that involve continuous play, such as ice hockey and basketball. Quarters are typically used in sports that involve stoppages in play, such as American football and soccer.
What is overtime?
Overtime is played if the game is tied at the end of regulation. Overtime is a sudden death period, meaning that the first team to score a goal wins the game. Overtime is typically five minutes long, but it can be extended if the game remains tied.
What is a shootout?
A shootout is played if the game is still tied after overtime. In a shootout, each team selects three shooters. The shooters take turns shooting at the opposing team’s goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the shootout wins the game.
How long is a hockey game?
A hockey game is typically two and a half hours long. This includes the three periods, intermissions, and any overtime or shootout periods.
How long are intermissions between periods?
Intermissions between periods are 15 minutes long.
How long is overtime?
Overtime is typically five minutes long, but it can be extended if the game remains tied.
How long is a shootout?
A shootout is typically three rounds long, but it can be extended if the game remains tied.
Different hockey leagues and their game structures
While most hockey leagues follow the standard three-period format, there are some leagues that use different game structures. For example, some recreational hockey leagues play shorter games with two or three periods. And some youth hockey leagues play games with shorter periods.
Conclusion
Understanding the segmented period structure provides greater appreciation for hockey at any level. Next time you tune into an NHL game, you can better comprehend the three standard 20-minute periods and extended broadcast time.
