If you’re new to hockey or simply curious about the structure of the game, one of the most common questions is, “How many periods are in hockey?” The fast-paced, action-packed nature of the sport is partly due to its unique format, which differs from other sports like football and basketball.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly how many periods are in hockey, why the game is divided this way, and what makes the three-period format so effective. We’ll also explore intermissions, the length of each period, and how overtime works if the game is tied at the end of regulation. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of why hockey is structured the way it is and how it enhances the excitement of the sport.
1. How Many Periods Are in Hockey Game?
In professional hockey, including the National Hockey League (NHL), a standard game is divided into three periods. Each period lasts for 20 minutes of play time, making up a total of 60 minutes of regulation time.
Game Breakdown
- First period: 20 minutes of gameplay
- Second period: 20 minutes of gameplay
- Third period: 20 minutes of gameplay
If the game is tied at the end of the three periods, overtime may be played to determine the winner, depending on the specific league rules and game type (regular season vs. playoffs).
While hockey games include three regulation periods, it’s important to note that stoppages in play, such as penalties, goals, or icing, pause the game clock, meaning the total time spent watching a game often exceeds 60 minutes.
2. Top 5 Reasons Why Hockey Games Have Three Periods
Unlike many sports that divide their games into halves or quarters, hockey’s three-period format is unique. Here are the top 5 reasons why having three periods works so well for the sport:
1. Optimizes Player Performance
- Hockey is an intense, fast-paced game that requires high levels of stamina and endurance. By dividing the game into three periods, players get two breaks (intermissions) to recover, hydrate, and adjust their strategy. This ensures that players can perform at their best throughout the game, especially in the third period when fatigue sets in. For more insights on hockey development and training, check out USA Hockey.
2. Enhances Game Strategy
- The three-period format allows for more strategic adjustments. Coaches have the opportunity to change lines, make tactical shifts, and motivate players during intermissions. Each period presents a fresh opportunity for teams to execute their game plans or make comebacks if they are trailing.
3. Creates Momentum Shifts
- The breaks between periods can lead to momentum shifts, where teams come out stronger after a period of rest. Fans love the excitement of seeing which team will dominate after each intermission. A team that may have struggled in the first period can come back stronger in the second or third, keeping the game unpredictable.
4. Allows for TV Breaks and Ads
- Hockey’s three-period structure allows for more advertising opportunities during intermissions, which helps generate revenue for the league and broadcasters. These breaks also give viewers time to grab a snack or refresh themselves before the action resumes.
5. Fits the Fast-Paced Nature of the Game
- Hockey is one of the fastest sports in the world. The three-period format complements this high energy by allowing the game to flow smoothly, without overburdening players with long, drawn-out stretches of continuous play.
The three-period structure is one of the reasons hockey remains such an exciting and unpredictable sport to watch.
3. How Long Is a Period in Hockey? Understanding the Duration
Each period in a professional hockey game lasts 20 minutes, with three periods making up the 60 minutes of regulation time. However, because the clock stops during certain events (like when a goal is scored or when a penalty is called), the actual game experience usually takes 2 to 3 hours to complete, including breaks and intermissions.
Game Clock vs. Real Time
Hockey periods are played with a stop-and-start clock, meaning the clock stops for the following reasons:
- Goals
- Penalties
- Offside or icing calls
- Puck goes out of play
This structure ensures that the 20 minutes of play in each period are full of action, even though the real-time duration of the game can be much longer.
4. What Happens During Intermissions Between Hockey Periods?
Intermissions are the breaks that occur between the first and second periods, and again between the second and third periods. In the NHL, each intermission lasts for 15-18 minutes. But what happens during these breaks?
1. Ice Resurfacing
The Zamboni comes out to resurface the ice, creating a smoother surface for the next period. This is important because the ice can get rough and choppy after continuous play, which affects puck movement and player performance.
2. Rest and Recovery
Players use this time to rest, rehydrate, and recover from the intense physical demands of the game. Coaches may also use intermission to give players advice, adjust strategies, and refocus the team.
3. Entertainment and Ads
During intermissions, arenas may have fan entertainment, such as mini-games or giveaways, to keep the audience engaged. On TV, this is when the majority of commercial breaks occur, allowing networks to broadcast advertisements and generate revenue.
These 15-18 minute intermissions provide players with the necessary break they need to recover while also keeping fans entertained.
5. How Does Overtime Work in Hockey?
If a hockey game is tied at the end of the three regulation periods, the game may go into overtime depending on the league’s rules and whether it’s a regular season or playoff game.
Overtime in the Regular Season
In most hockey leagues, including the NHL, regular season games that are tied after 60 minutes go into a 5-minute sudden-death overtime. The overtime period is played 3-on-3, which opens up the ice for more scoring opportunities. If neither team scores during this 5-minute overtime, the game is decided by a shootout.
Playoff Overtime Rules
In the playoffs, overtime rules differ significantly. Instead of a 5-minute sudden-death overtime followed by a shootout, playoff games continue with 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 hockey until a team scores. There are no shootouts in the playoffs—teams play as many overtime periods as needed to determine the winner.
The overtime format in hockey is thrilling because it creates high-stakes moments where one goal can decide the game.
6. The History Behind Hockey’s Three-Period Format
The modern hockey game’s three-period format wasn’t always the standard. In the early days of hockey, games were often divided into two halves of 30 minutes each. However, as the game evolved and became faster, players found it difficult to maintain a high level of performance for such long periods without breaks.
Why the Change?
The switch to three 20-minute periods was made in the early 1900s to allow for better ice maintenance and to give players a chance to rest. The Zamboni hadn’t been invented yet, so the ice would get rough, making it harder to play. Splitting the game into three periods allowed for more frequent resurfacing and improved the overall quality of the game.
Today, the three-period format has become a defining feature of hockey, allowing for a well-balanced game that keeps both players and fans engaged from start to finish.
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Conclusion: Why the Three-Period Format Works Best for Hockey
The three-period format in hockey strikes a perfect balance between maintaining the game’s fast pace and giving players the opportunity to rest and strategize. With 20 minutes of play per period and two breaks in between, players can maintain their energy levels, while coaches can adjust strategies and fans can stay entertained.
Whether you’re new to hockey or a long-time fan, understanding why hockey is played in three periods adds another layer of appreciation for the sport’s unique structure. From optimizing player performance to ensuring exciting momentum shifts, the three-period format is a key factor in what makes hockey such a thrilling and dynamic game to watch.
FAQs About Periods in Hockey
- How many periods are in hockey game?
- A hockey game consists of three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of gameplay.
- How long is a period in hockey?
- Each period in a hockey game lasts 20 minutes of play, with stoppages in the clock for events like goals, penalties, or puck stoppages.
- Why does hockey have three periods?
- Hockey games are divided into three periods to optimize player performance, allow for strategic adjustments, and provide necessary breaks for ice resurfacing.
- What happens during intermissions in hockey?
- During intermissions, the ice is resurfaced, players rest and recover, and fans are entertained with activities or ads.
- How long is the intermission in hockey?
- In the NHL, each intermission typically lasts 15-18 minutes.
- What happens if a hockey game is tied after three periods?
- If a game is tied after three periods, it goes into overtime. In the regular season, it’s a 5-minute 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime, followed by a shootout if needed.
- Is there a shootout in playoff hockey?
- No, in playoff hockey, overtime periods continue for 20 minutes each until one team scores, with no shootouts.
- What is the difference between regular season and playoff overtime?
- Regular season overtime is 5 minutes of 3-on-3 play, followed by a shootout. Playoff overtime continues with 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 play until a goal is scored.
- Can hockey games have more than three periods?
- Yes, if a game is tied after the third period, overtime periods are added, especially in playoff games where there can be multiple overtime periods.
- What are the most common reasons for stoppages in hockey periods?
- Stoppages occur for reasons like goals, penalties, icing, offsides, or the puck going out of play.
