Want to know how many periods in hockey are there in a professional match? Well, we have got all the answers that you might need. We even have a list of all the ice hockey matches that extended well beyond the usual time to become some of the longest matches. Stick around.
Rich History Of Hockey
According to sources, ice hockey is believed to have originated somewhere in the late 17th or early 18th century. However, that variant was much different from the variant we have today. Understanding this rich history goes hand in hand with the question: “how many periods in hockey?” So, here is a detailed rundown of the history of Ice Hockey.
Historical records suggest that the game of Ice Hockey evolved from a simple game of stick and ball. The origin of the game can be traced back to the late 17th century or early 18th century. The game originated in the green pastures of Ireland, Britain, etc. The farming community primarily played this game. In fact, the American game of Lacrosse is also partially inspired by the game of hockey.
Later on, this primitive variant of ice hockey made its way to america along with white European settlers. As time went by, different variations were introduced, and the game grew bigger and bigger.
Sources suggest that the first variant of Ice hockey was bandy. As per historical records, this game of Bandy had its roots in the Middle Ages. Bandy worked mostly on similar principles to modern-day hockey. However, it was not structured and was mostly a point-based game.
Next came field hockey. Field hockey is a direct descendant of Bandy. Both games work on mostly similar principles. However, field hockey is a more structured and sophisticated game compared to bandy. However, the evolution of hockey did not stop there. In fact, it was just getting started.
After colonizers came to America, hockey went through some highs and lows. For years, the game received a lukewarm response. However, it eventually went through a major facelift.
The city of Montreal became the hotbed for newer development in field hockey. It transitioned from field hockey to a unique variant. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is thought to be Hockey’s place of inception. In fact, it was here that Ice Hockey took birth.
The first-ever ice hockey match was organized on March 3rd, 1875. This match was played in the indoor Ice skating Rink of Montreal. This match was plagued between two teams consisting of nine players.
The match was played between two colleges, James Creighton and McGill University. Unlike Field Hockey, the game was not played with a ball. In fact, it was played with a flat, circular piece of wood. This shape helped the puck to slide more easily. In fact, this match set a lot of precedents for future matches.
The match of 1875 was one of the most watched matches of that year. A huge number of people from the surrounding area and two colleges turned up. Sources suggest that this match was not just the beginning of ice hockey. In fact, it also marked the birth of the Ice Hockey Association.
Eventually, the game became so big that the first-ever ‘’world championship of the game” was conducted a few years later in 1883. Several Local Ice Hockey teams gathered to butt heads and win the first-ever formal tournament of Ice Hockey.
Definition & Duration Of A Period In Hockey?
A game of Ice Hockey is usually played in three distinctive periods. The period can be best defined as a specific unit of time when both teams spend on the Ice playing. A standard game of the NHL usually has 20-minute periods. However, these periods do not include the 15-minute intermissions or additional overtime.
As explained already, a standard period only lasts for 20 minutes. Every major and minor hockey league, like the NHL, Minor Pro, European leagues, etc., follows this 20-minute format.
A standard game of ice hockey contains three 20-minute periods. Combining these three periods makes for a 60-minute gameplay time. Along with the 20-minute periods, an ice hockey match also contains two 15-minute intermissions. These intermissions separate the periods from each other.
Therefore, if you add up the total timeline, a professional ice hockey match goes on for longer than 60 minutes. But the real game time is just one hour. However, things can differ when it comes to recreational or minor league matches.
In recreational or minor league matches, periods can be as long as 15 minutes, along with 7 minutes intermission. Therefore, a minor league match or a recreational match usually wraps up in under an hour.
How many Periods Are In A Hockey game?
In ice hockey, there are three periods. Each of these periods is made up of 20 minutes. As a result, the total play duration in hockey is around 60 minutes. The game moves on to overtime if the score remains tied even after the play duration is over. If the score remains tied, a shootout will follow this overtime.
Between each period, players get a 15-minute break. In soccer or basketball, these breaks are called half-time. But in hockey, there are 2 mandatory resting periods that do not follow the half-time format. Instead, these resting periods are known as intermission. Therefore, a game of hockey runs longer than most other games. But then again, players get 2 instinct intermissions. Therefore, it is all good.
Why Are They Called Periods?
We know how many periods in hockey exist. But why are they called periods? The answer is simple as well as logical. Basketball, soccer, football, etc., are divided into 4 or 2 equal playing durations. As a result, they are called halves or quarters.
Using the same logic, we might use terms like ‘tris,’ ‘thirds,’ etc. However, this can prove to be more confusing and challenging to the audience. Therefore, play duration in hockey is known as the period. It is easier to keep track and sounds way better than ‘the second tris’ or ‘the second third”.
Were The Games Always Divided Into Three Periods?
Ice Hockey has been around for some time now. Back during the early 1900s, NHL games were not at all 3 periods long. In fact, the games mostly consisted of two 30-minute periods with a 10-minute intermission.
However, things changed over time. The driving factor behind this transformation was the quality of the ice. NHL decided that resurfacing the ice using Zamboni every 20 minutes would help improve its quality.
As players continue playing, the ice surface becomes saturated with snow, ice chips, and grooves. All that friction also makes the ice surface softer over time. This can be detrimental to the game. Players will have a hard time maneuvering, and the match will suffer.
Furthermore, injuries will happen more often if the ice surface becomes unstable. As a result, a game of ice hockey is divided into three periods of 20 minutes. In between those periods, the surface is iced and resurfaced using a Zamboni. This enhances the gameplay and the overall pacing.
Why 3 Periods?
Now, it is understandable that ice needs to be resurfaced after every 20 minutes. But why are there three periods in hockey? Why not 4 periods with a 20-minute duration? The answer is simple. If ice hockey is played in four periods or quarters, the overall duration of the match will extend to a great length. This can be quite detrimental to the engagement of the game.
Each period is officially clocked at 20 minutes. But in reality, players spend around 30 minutes in the ring. This includes all the whistles, penalty calls, goals, offside, celebration, etc. If you add another period, the game time will increase manifold. As a result, players will start feeling exhausted, and the game will become tedious in the final period. This will also affect the overall engagement of the game. Therefore, ice hockey is played in three 20-minute long periods. Does that mean no hockey game exceeded the time limit? The next section will help you answer the question.
Longest NHL Game
NHL is quite strict with its period and play duration rules. Still, some matches exceeded the overall time limit and went into extra time.
Here is an extensive list of all the hockey games with the most overtime.
| Date | Home Team | Opponent | Score | Total Length | Overtime Periods | |
| 1 | March 24, 1936 | Montreal Maroons | Detroit Red Wings | 0-1 | 176:30 | 6 |
| 2 | April 3, 1933 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Boston Bruins | 1-0 | 164:46 | 6 |
| 3 | May 4, 2000 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Philadelphia Flyers | 1-2 | 152:01 | 5 |
| 4 | August 11, 2020 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Columbus Blue Jackets | 3-2 | 150:27 | 5 |
| 5 | April 24, 2003 | Dallas Stars | Anaheim Mighty Ducks | 3-4 | 140:48 | 5 |
| 6 | May 18, 2023 | Carolina Hurricanes | Florida Panthers | 2-3 | 139:47 | 4 |
| 7 | April 24, 1996 | Washington Capitals | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2-3 | 139:15 | 4 |
| 8 | April 11, 2007 | Vancouver Canucks | Dallas Stars | 5-4 | 138:06 | 4 |
| 9 | March 23, 1943 | Detroit Red Wings | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-3 | 130:18 | 4 |
| 10 | May 4, 2008 | Dallas Stars | San Jose Sharks | 2-1 | 129:03 | 4 |
| 11 | March 28, 1930 | Montreal Canadiens | New York Rangers | 2-1 | 128:52 | 4 |
| 12 | April 18, 1987 | Washington Capitals | New York Islanders | 2-3 | 128:47 | 4 |
| 13 | April 27, 1997 | Buffalo Sabres | New Jersey Devils | 1-0 | 125:43 | 4 |
| 14 | March 27, 1951 | Detroit Red Wings | Montreal Canadiens | 2-3 | 121:09 | 4 |
| 15 | March 27, 1938 | New York Rangers | New York Americans | 2-3 | 120:40 | 4 |
Closing Thought
In summation, we have reached the very end of our Question Of The Hour article that answers the seminal question, “how many periods in hockey”. The game of hockey is played for three periods with a 20-minute duration. Keep following us for more such sports-related content.
Additional Reading:
