How Long Is An Ice Hockey Game? (2024)

Last updated: Aug 11, 2023

A game of ice hockey is 60 minutes long,excluding overtime or shootout, in professional hockey.The game is broken up into three periods, and this format is used in almost every level of hockey. However, periods can range from 12 to 20 minutes long, depending on the age group.

Also, hockey games are always going to last more than the allotted time for the game due to stoppages in play and intermission times. For example, a 60-minute game can last up to three hours, and that’s excluding overtime or shootouts.

Youth Hockey

There are a lot of factors that influence the length of a youth hockey game, but the major one is age.Each age group plays for three periods. From 5-10 years old, a game typically lasts for 36 minutes. Sometimes, the clock won’t stop even if there’s a stoppage in play in this group. At the ages of 11-12, the periods can increase up to 15 minutes in time for a 45-minute contest.

13-14 year olds may see their games increase to 48 minutes, and finally, 15-16 year old games can be as high as 51 total minutes. The important thing to note is these are just averages, as league/tournament format also plays a role in how long a game lasts. Some leagues will play with an overtime or shootout if the game is tied after three periods, while others will not.

NHL Regular Season

NHLgames are structured in three 20 minute periods for a total of 60 minutes in-game time.This is considered to be regulation time. If the contest is tied after regulation, it will go into a five-minute, sudden-death overtime period. If that doesn’t break the tie, the game will go into a shootout. The shootout starts as a best-of-three, and if both teams are tied after three rounds, it turns into match play. This means if one team scores and the other team doesn't, the game is over.

The average NHL game lasts around two and half hours in real-time as a spectator, but injuries, overtime, and shootouts can make it last even longer.

NHL Playoffs

In the NHL playoffs, the format of the game slightly shifts. The regulation time remains the same 60 minutes with three 20 minute periods. However, if the contest is tied after regulation, it goes into a 20-minute sudden-death overtime period. If nobody scores in that 20 minutes, the timer resets back to 20 minutes, and another period is played, and so on and so forth. There is no shootout in the postseason.

In 2020, a first-round game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning went to five overtimes before Brayden Point won it for Tampa. This was one of the longest games in NHL history as it lasted more than 150 minutes in-game time.

FAQ

How long is a college ice hockey game?

A college ice hockey game is 60 minutes long and has three 20 minute periods.However, these games are typically shorter than professional games in total run time because there’s less production behind the games. That means the college hockey experience might be two hours, whereas the professional game is about 2.5 hours total.

How long is a period in ice hockey?

In hockey, the length of each period depends on the age and/or league, but they typically last between 12 and 20 minutes.In almost every league, there are three periods that break up the game. The general rule of thumb is the younger the league, the shorter the period is, and vice versa.

How long are high school ice hockey games?

High school hockey games typically last 45-51 minutes, depending on the league.Some high school hockey leagues will feature overtime or a shootout if there’s a tie after regulation, but that varies on the league/tournament. Intermission time can also last anywhere between two and 15 minutes.

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As an avid ice hockey enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of the sport, let me delve into the intricacies of ice hockey game durations across various levels, providing you with a thorough analysis of the concepts mentioned in the article.

Youth Hockey:

The article accurately highlights the significant impact of age on the duration of youth hockey games. From 5-10 years old, games typically last 36 minutes. As players progress to 11-12 years, periods extend to 15 minutes, resulting in a 45-minute contest. The pattern continues, with 13-14 year olds playing 48-minute games, and 15-16 year olds engaging in matches as long as 51 minutes. It's crucial to note that league and tournament formats play a role in game duration, and some may include overtimes or shootouts in case of ties.

NHL Regular Season:

At the professional level, NHL regular season games adhere to a standard structure of three periods, each lasting 20 minutes, summing up to 60 minutes of in-game time. Regulation time, if tied, leads to a five-minute sudden-death overtime. Should the deadlock persist, a shootout ensues, initially as a best-of-three, potentially escalating to match play if necessary. The real-time duration of an average NHL game is approximately two and a half hours for spectators, accounting for factors like injuries, overtime, and shootouts.

NHL Playoffs:

During the NHL playoffs, the game format slightly alters. While the regulation time remains 60 minutes with three 20-minute periods, tied games trigger a 20-minute sudden-death overtime. If no goal is scored, the timer resets for another 20-minute period, repeating until a winner emerges. Unlike the regular season, there is no shootout in the playoffs. The article provides a notable example of a historic five-overtime game in the 2020 playoffs, emphasizing the potential for extended game durations.

College Ice Hockey:

College ice hockey games mirror the professional structure, spanning 60 minutes with three 20-minute periods. However, due to less production behind the games, the total runtime is typically shorter than professional games, lasting around two hours.

High School Ice Hockey:

High school hockey games last 45-51 minutes, varying based on the league. Overtime or shootouts might be employed in case of ties, depending on league/tournament regulations. Intermission times contribute to the overall duration, ranging from two to 15 minutes.

In summary, the duration of an ice hockey game varies across different levels, influenced by factors such as age, league regulations, and playoff formats. This comprehensive overview ensures a clear understanding of the timeframes involved in youth, professional, college, and high school ice hockey games.