As hockey is the most popular game played all over the world with full zeal and zest, due to its fast-paced movements. It’s not only played passionately but is also watched with full excitement. Hockey game consist on various periods, including playing period, resting period, and many more.
But how long do hockey games actually last, so basically, an NHL hockey game usually lasts for 2.5 hours or 2 hours and 30 minutes. It includes regulation time, intermissions, overtime, shootouts, and TV broadcasts. There are also some other breaks like commercial breaks that add to the period of the hockey game.
We’re gonna share about all these terms what does actually mean, and how long they last in a hockey match. Hence, stay with us to become familiar with all these terms regarding hockey games.
How Long Do NHL Hockey Games Actually Last?
Here is a break down to the time period of Hockey game:
- Regulation Time:
Regulation time last for 60 minutes, because it has 3 periods, each consisting of 20 minutes.
- Intermissions:
These are breaks used for discussion, rest, making strategy, and refreshments for players. There are usually 2 intermissions, lasting approximately 17 minutes between each period.
- Overtime:
The game proceeds to overtime of 5 minutes when both teams have the same scores after regulation time. Basically, five minutes are given to both teams, so when one team scores more, the team will win. If still both teams have the same score, then they’ll move toward the shootouts.
- Shootouts:
In this period, each team chooses 3 players to take penalty shots and after that, if both the teams have the same score, then they will continue shootouts along with one player per team until the victory is determined.
How Long Do High School Hockey Games Last?
Generally, normal school hockey games are much shorter than NHL hockey games, so they last up to 45 minutes to 2 hours. In addition, there are less players than NHL; likewise, this game has shorter periods of each match than the NHL.
The School Hockey game has an intermission of 12 minutes between each 17-minute period. It’s also used to take some rest, make decisions, change strategies, and others. Similar to NHL games, this may also proceed to the shootouts to get vivid results.
Hockey Periods and Length – Table Overview
Game Parts | Duration | Description |
Each Period | 20 Minutes | Active Game Time |
Intermissions | 17 to 18 Minutes | Break for Strategy, Rest, and Decision |
Overtime | 5 Minutes | When the game is tied after the regulation period |
Total Game Time | 2.5 Hours | All playtime, overtime, and periods |
How Many Periods in Hockey?
Hockey is the most fast-paced game all over the world, but there are some periods like playing period, resting period, etc., for different purposes. Usually, all the hockey games have 3 periods, lasting approximately 17 to 18 minutes each.
How Long is the Overtime in Hockey?
Fundamentally, overtime lasts for 20 minutes but when no decision is held, it may be increased. No decision can be taken using the sudden death option if there are no clear differences in the goals of the teams. Therefore, they must have to rely on overtime periods to get clear results, overtime periods can be modified according to events and leagues.
How Long Do Hockey Game Last With Breaks?
Breaks can also enhance the time period of Hockey games, matches and leagues can take 5 to 7 minutes more than normal time. In breaks, TV commercial ads are also included, so they appear when any type of pause appears during the hockey game.
How Long Do Hockey Game Last For? – Other Reasons
Sometimes, because of injuries and penalties can make the game longer than normal. When a player gets injured, it wastes some time to treat the player or to call the other player to continue the game. Likewise, when some player makes any mistake, he’ll have to pay a penalty. Paying for a penalty takes some time like 2 to 5 minutes, resulting delay in the match.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, hockey games last for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, including breaks, penalties, overtime, shootouts, and many more. Basically, the time period of the NHL game is longer than the normal school hockey game and school hockey games have fewer players in number than NHL games.
Some factors like penalties, overtime, injuries, etc., can increase the time of the game in both NHL and school hockey games. When both overtime and shootouts do not proceed in a game, the game or league may be shorter. In short, read our guide on how long do hockey games last in real-time, and feel free to ask any queries.
FAQs
- How many hours does a hockey game last?
Normally, a hockey game lasts for 2 to 2.5 hours, but some factors including overtime, shootouts, penalties, and injuries can increase the time of the game.
- Why does hockey have 3 periods?
As you know, hockey is a fast-paced game, so for taking some rest, making decisions, and refreshing players, 3 periods or breaks are included in any hockey game.
- How long can be the longest NHL game?
Due to several factors such as injuries, penalties, overtime, and others, the longest NHL game can be approximately last for 179 minutes or 2.9 hours.