Understanding the Duration of Hockey Games

The Basics of Hockey Game Durations

The sport of hockey, whether it's being played on the professional level in the NHL or in a local community rink, follows a set time structure that dictates how long a game lasts. Most hockey games consist of three periods that last 20 minutes each, with an intermission of approximately 15 to 17 minutes after the first and second periods. This basic structure can extend the total duration of a regular hockey game to anywhere between two and a half to three hours. The duration extends if the game goes into overtime or if there are excessive penalties, which pause the game clock.

• The straight game play time is 60 mins, divided into three 20-mins periods.
• Intermissions and breaks occur in between periods and can extend to game's duration.
• The games can extend with penalties or overtime play.

Factors that Extend Hockey Game Durations

While games that remain tied after the third period proceed to overtime, which can considerably extend the overall game duration. In professional leagues like the NHL, the overtime rules have been modified several times in history. Currently, if a regular-season game ends with a tie score after the three 20-minutes periods, it is followed by a five-minute sudden-death overtime period. Notably, this adaptation was made to try to make games more exciting and to more frequently ensure that games conclude with a decisive winner, extending the length of games.

• Overtime causes the game duration to increase as they are sudden death in nature, and can take a considerable amount of time.
• Changes in the overtime rules in leagues like NHL has further extended game durations.
• Games that end with a tie after the overtime continues to a shootout, adding to the duration.

TV Commercials and On-field Delays

Another factor that influences how long a hockey game is can be external factors such as TV commercial breaks and on-ice maintenance. These elements can significantly extend the duration of a hockey game, making it last much longer than the actual playing time. This deviation from the 'in-game' duration is especially notable in professional games that are bound by broadcasting commitments. Various studies have shown that during telecasted NHL games, there could be anywhere from 60 to 75 minutes of commercials.

• TV commercials significantly extend the duration of the games.
• On-field delays such as ice maintenance or injury-related pauses can add to game duration.
• In professional leagues like the NHL, the time dedication to commercials and broadcasting commitments is substantial.