A period in ice hockey typically lasts for 20 minutes. Here are five supporting facts:
1. Regulation games consist of three periods: In professional and international ice hockey, a regulation game consists of three periods. Each period is 20 minutes long, making the total playing time 60 minutes.
2. Intermissions between periods: There are intermissions of typically 15 minutes between each period. These intermissions allow players to rest, coaches to strategize, and for television broadcasts to air commercials or analyze the game.
3. Shorter periods in youth and lower levels: In youth and lower levels of ice hockey, the length of periods may be shorter than 20 minutes. This is often done to accommodate younger players’ energy levels and attention spans.
4. Overtime periods: If a game is tied at the end of regulation, additional overtime periods may be played. In the NHL, overtime periods are 5 minutes long, while they vary in length in other leagues and tournaments.
5. Shootouts for tiebreakers: If the game remains tied after overtime, a shootout is used as a tiebreaker. Each team selects a few players who take turns shooting at the opposing team’s goaltender to determine a winner. Shootouts typically consist of three to five rounds.
FAQs about the length of a period in ice hockey:
1. Why are periods in ice hockey 20 minutes long?
– 20 minutes is considered a suitable duration to maintain the fast-paced nature of the game while ensuring players have ample rest between periods.
2. Are there any breaks between each period?
– Yes, there are intermissions between each period, usually lasting 15 minutes. This break allows players and officials to rest and regroup.
3. Can teams call timeouts during a period?
– Yes, each team is allowed one 30-second timeout during a regulation game. It can be called at any time, even during a period.
4. Do periods stop if there are penalties or goals?
– No, the clock continues to run during penalties, goals, and most other stoppages in play unless they result in a team calling timeout.
5. Are periods the same length in different leagues?
– While 20-minute periods are standard in most professional leagues, lower levels and youth hockey may have shorter periods to suit players’ abilities and age.
6. Do overtime periods have the same length as regulation periods?
– In the NHL, overtime periods are 5 minutes long, while they may vary in length in other leagues. However, in playoff games, overtime periods are also 20 minutes long.
7. Is there a time limit for shootouts after overtime?
– No, there is no specific time limit for shootouts. The shootout continues until one team has a definitive lead after a predetermined number of rounds.
BOTTOM LINE: In ice hockey, a period typically lasts for 20 minutes, and regulation games consist of three periods. However, periods may be shorter in youth and lower levels, and overtime periods have different lengths in various leagues.
