How Long are Hockey Intermissions? - Gaimday (2024)

The NHL introduced the intermission to resurface the ice in between periods and allow for players to rest. As the NHL grew in popularity on TV, the time was used by the broadcasters to feature in-game analysis such as Coach’s Corner with Don Cherry.

Surprisingly, there is a common question among TV viewers. They want to know how long the intermission is between periods. Maybe that’s because they want to:

How long are Hockey intermissions?

Hockey intermissions are 18-minutes long for all NHL regular season games. The intermissions take place at the conclusion of the 1st and 2nd period. During the playoffs, each additional intermission prior to the overtime period(s) are 15-minutes long. Lastly, there are no intermissions before regulation overtimes or the shootout.

(NHL Source)

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Depending if you are attending the game or watching it on TV, the intermissions are used for the following purposes:

Resurfacing of the ice

As mentioned earlier, the intermission time is used to resurface the ice for optimal playing conditions.The 18-minutes mostly allows for the Zambonis (usually x2) to clean the ice, followed by the ice cleaning crew to mop away the any puddles and allow the surface to dry.

Player Breaks and Team Regroup

Players and coaches are returned to their respective dressing rooms so they can basically rest up between periods. In addition, the team coaches discuss strategies to change the course of the game and regroup their players.

Spectator Breaks: Food, Beverages and Bathroom

Audience members can use the time to restock up on food and beverages as the game length in real-time is 2.5+ hours long. Since many spectators enjoy drinking alcoholic beverages, the need for the bathroom break is essential. If you’ve ever attended any sporting event, especially a hockey game, the bathrooms get extremely packed during the breaks.

Advertisem*nts

For viewers watching the game at home, the league uses the intermissions to advertise their sponsors through commercials. This is in addition to the scheduled TV timeouts during each period. Typically, networks want to squeeze in 15-minutes of commercials per hour which they mostly play during intermissions.

Officially, the intermission begins once the last official (referee) leaves the ice. That is, the intermission clock commences once all players and officials are off the ice surface and not when the game clock hits 00:00.

History of NHL Intermissions

As of the 1927-28 season, NHL games standardized at 3x20 minute periods and 10-minute intermissions.

In the 1947-48 season, the NHL introduced sudden death overtime periods which also included 10-minute intermissions.

By the 1966-67 season, the intermissions were extended to 15 minutes.

Following then, intermissions were 17-minutes for all nationally televised games or 15 minutes 30 seconds at a minimum (for all other games).

(NHL Source)

Conclusion

While writing this blog post, I was still under the impression that intermissions were 17-minutes long. But when I looked up the official rule book, the intermission length was changed to 18-minutes a few years back.

Another fun fact I came across is that the intermissions only begin once the last official leaves the ice rather than simply when the game clock hits 00:00. Which makes sense, because there are times that teams get into scuffles at the end of a period, which may also result in penalties being called.

Considering I’ve been a lifelong fan of hockey, I never payed attention to when the intermission countdown clock begins, especially while attending the games in person.

Lastly, when the subsequent period is about to start, you’ll see the referees return to the ice first, followed by the players about a few minutes before the match resumes.

You might also be interested to learn about the length of hockey games - in terms of watch time. For information on this, make sure to check out my blog here calledHow Long Does a Hockey Game Last?

How Long are Hockey Intermissions? - Gaimday (2024)

FAQs

How long do hockey intermissions last? ›

The average NHL hockey game length is about 60 minutes. There are three 20-minute periods in a game with intermissions after the first and second periods. Each intermission lasts 18 minutes during NHL games, but may be shorter in other leagues.

How long is halftime in hockey? ›

How long are intermissions in hockey? In the NHL, intermissions between periods last fifteen and a half minutes. For televised games, intermissions will last 17 minutes. The intermission before the start of overtime lasts one minute.

Why are hockey intermissions 20 minutes? ›

Intermission for the NHL is actually 20 minutes long. It is this long so that the ice can be resurfaced with the zamboni and the players can go over play and get some rest to be ready for the next period.

What time does a 7pm hockey game end? ›

If a hockey game starts at 7 what time will it end? A hockey game that starts at 7pm will end at 9:30pm. Expect the game to last much later especially if there is overtime, shootout or due to on-ice delays (injuries, broken glass, surface problems).

Do hockey players shower between periods? ›

Some players will take a shower during the intermission to feel revitalized for the upcoming period. Other players choose to meditate, closing their eyes, staying silent and visualizing their success for the remainder of the game.

How long should intermissions be? ›

An intermission should be 15 to 20 minutes long, but modern theaters tend to opt for 15-minute intermissions as standard. Playwrights and producers will typically include a 15-minute interval in a staged play that runs over 90 minutes.

Why are hockey games 3 periods? ›

Hockey is played in three periods to maintain the ice for better play. The longer hockey players skate on the ice, the more the ice quality diminishes. Splitting the game into 3 periods is better than 2 halves because it gives the Zamboni a chance to clean the ice to improve the game.

Is there 3 quarters in hockey? ›

Unlike most sports that play in halves and quarters, hockey has opted to take the road less traveled -- three 20-minute periods each with a 15-minute intermission before the second and third periods.

What are the 5 rules of hockey? ›

Basic Rules
  • Legal teams are 5 skaters and a goalie. ...
  • All Leagues: Games are 30 minute straight play. ...
  • No over-time during the regular season; tie games will be recorded as such.
  • No slap shots (shots taken from above the waist) at all - not during warm-ups or games.
  • Offside & icing is called in the Granite League only.

What is the 60 minute line in hockey? ›

A 60 minute line is a bet similar to the moneyline, but includes only the result at the end of 3 periods and thus includes the tie option. If Toronto is playing New Jersey, bettors can bet on Toronto to win in 60 minutes, New Jersey to win in 60 minutes, or the tie at the end of 60 minutes.

How long is intermission in high school hockey? ›

The maximum length of a game shall be three 20-minute periods with a 15-minute intermission, allowing for an ice resurface, between each period. Each period shall start promptly at the end of the intermission with a face-off conducted at the center ice face-off spot.

Why is number 32 retired in the NHL? ›

The Seattle Kraken hadn't even played their first home game before they retired a number. The NHL's newest franchise honored their fans - and their place in the League - by raising number 32 to the rafters of Climate Pledge Arena before their first-ever home game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

How late is too late for hockey? ›

If you're someone who is asking if you're too old to start playing hockey, and you can still stand and carry your equipment, the answer is no! No matter what age you begin at, no matter how old you might be, if you've got the drive and determination to put some effort into hockey, you can do it.

Are hockey games best of 5 or 7? ›

Format. The Stanley Cup playoffs consists of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Each series is played in a 2–2–1–1–1 format, meaning the team with home-ice advantage hosts games one, two, five, and seven, while their opponent hosts games three, four, and six. Games five, six, and seven are only played if needed.

Are hockey games cold? ›

Are Hockey Games Cold? Well, the ice needs to stay frozen, but, depending on the venue, it might not be all that cold where you're sitting. It's going to be cooler the closer to the ice you are. Generally speaking, the ice will be about 25° and the air, for an inside game, will be somewhere between 50 and 60°.

What comes after Pee Wee in hockey? ›

MINOR HOCKEY

Atom: Age 9-10. Pee Wee: Age 11-12. Bantam: Age 13-14. Midget: Age 15-17.

Do NHL players drink during season? ›

During the game, all players have access to bottles of water, sports drinks and other hydration supplements, and while they take advantage of those, at that point it's more for maintenance.

Do NHL players have a curfew? ›

“After a game, there's generally no curfew unless we had another game the next day. So he'd throw and early curfew and do a room-check. I loved that — that was comical.

Why are hockey intermissions 18 minutes? ›

As mentioned earlier, the intermission time is used to resurface the ice for optimal playing conditions. The 18-minutes mostly allows for the Zambonis (usually x2) to clean the ice, followed by the ice cleaning crew to mop away the any puddles and allow the surface to dry.

Is it rude to leave a play at intermission? ›

There is no law against walking out the door during intermission, but it can be a dilemma. You're at a concert or a play and for whatever reason decide you don't really want to go back for the second half of the performance. If enough people think the same thing, it can mean a lot of empty seats after the break.

Why is it called intermission? ›

The word intermission has a Latin root, intermissionem, "a breaking off or interruption." Originally, it meant any temporary pause, but by the 1850s it was often used in reference to breaks between acts in theatrical performances.

What is 3 goals in hockey called? ›

A hat trick as hockey fans know it comes when a player scores three goals in a game, usually earning him a cascade of hats thrown onto the ice by fans (especially if the player is on the home team). A natural hat trick is when a player scores three consecutive goals in a game.

How long does a hockey game last? ›

An ice hockey game has a total of 60 minutes of playing time in regulation. However, in real time this playing time works out to be 2.5 to 3 hours when you include all of the stops, intermission, and possible overtime.

What does SOG mean in hockey? ›

In ice hockey, a shot on goal is a shot that directs the puck towards the net and either goes into the net for a goal or is stopped by the goaltender for a save.

Can you have a 5 on 3 in hockey? ›

Five-on-three hockey is probably the most passive part of the game, as both teams are waiting to see what the opponent does next. Coaches often use a timeout when they get a 5v3 advantage, but why not have a plan and force the opponent to take their timeout instead?

What are 3 rules in hockey? ›

Hockey players can only hit the ball with the flat side of their stick. Hockey players (other than the goalkeeper) are not allowed to use their feet, or any other parts of the body, to control the ball at any time. A goal can only be scored either from a field goal, a penalty corner, or from a penalty stroke.

What is a 4 goal game called in hockey? ›

What is scoring 4 goals in hockey called? Scoring four goals in a hockey game is much less common than a hat trick. If a player scores four goals in a single game, it is sometimes referred to as a “Texas hat trick.” This term is less commonly used than a hat trick, and its origins are uncertain.

What is the golden rule in hockey? ›

1. Always back your partner — on the offensive blue line, in the neutral zone and especially in the defensive zone. 2. Always one defenseman in front of the net when the opposition has the puck in your zone or there is danger that they may gain possession.

What is the Gretzky rule in hockey? ›

OYHA employs the “Gretzky rule” which means that a player can only play up if the player makes the “A” team at the play up division level. ​The player attempting to “play up” must place in the top 30% of the high level “A” team in order to qualify.

What is the golden goal rule in hockey? ›

If either team scores a goal during extra time, the game ends immediately and the scoring team becomes the winner. The winning goal is known as the "golden goal". If there have been no goals scored after both periods of extra time, a penalty shoot-out decides the game.

What is Rule 56 in hockey? ›

Rule 56 of the NHL Rule Book states: If a player penalized as an instigator of an altercation is wearing a face shield, he shall be assessed an additional Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty.

What is a 10 2 in hockey? ›

ANSWER: If a player receives a Minor and Misconduct penalty he must serve the entire twelve minutes (2+10) consecutively. The additional player his team must place in the box is serving the shorthanded time (not the Minor itself).

What is the fastest shot in hockey? ›

Zdeno Chara

Big Zed is a five-time winner of the NHL's hardest shot competition, and his blast of 108.8 mph, accomplished in 2012 at the All-Star Skills Competition in Ottawa, remains the all-time record.

How long are hockey intervals? ›

A regular game consists of three 20-minute periods, with a 15-minute intermission after the first and second periods. Teams change ends for each period. If a tie occurs in a medal-round game, a five-minute sudden-victory overtime period is played.

How many minutes is boarding in hockey? ›

The Consequences of Boarding

If a player wasn't hit hard, but was hit from behind and was deemed defenseless, the referee will usually call a Minor Penalty (two minutes).

How long are each periods in hockey? ›

National Hockey League games are contested over three 20-minute periods. If the score is tied after 60 minutes, the game moves to a five-minute, sudden-death overtime where the first goal wins. If the game remains tied after overtime, a shootout is held until a winner is determined.

Can you wear 69 in the NHL? ›

Fun fact: Desjardins and forward Melvin Angelstad (two games with the Washington Capitals in 2003-04) are the only players in NHL history to wear No. 69.

What is the rarest number in NHL? ›

What's even rarer than the double-zero is the single zero in the NHL. Only one man has worn this number, and most likely you've never heard of him. Neil Sheehy wore the No. 0 in 1988 with the Hartford Whalers.

Why do so many goalies wear 31? ›

Numbers in the thirties were seen as "safe" for goaltenders, since most numbers below thirty were already spoken for by forwards and defensem*n (remember that "high numbers" were essentially-unheard of at this time).

Can you wear 99 in hockey? ›

99 – The Great One

Unless you are the Great One, this number is completely off limits to any hockey player anywhere in the known universe. It is retired in the NHL, and pretty much around any hockey leagues in North America, and quite likely in the whole world.

Is it better to be tall or short in hockey? ›

One huge advantage that shorter players have in hockey is that they can really get low and thus can generate more speed. They also have a lower center of gravity and can more easily bend their knees. This is important for these three key reasons.

Is 14 too old to learn hockey? ›

It is never too late to start playing hockey. Players have joined hockey programs at 12-13 years old and still made varsity hockey teams. More importantly, the expansion of college intramural and adult teams have made hockey a lifetime sport.

Is 77 a good hockey number? ›

Defense still tend to take the traditional low numbers, with double digits (22, 33, 44, 55 and 77) also being very popular substitutes. Numbers 2, 4, 5 and 82 are only worn by defense.

Is 7TH grade too late for hockey? ›

And while many kids start hockey at ages 5-9, older kids can and should join whenever they become interested. In fact, Minnesota Hockey recently launched its first ever Never Too Late Hockey Camp with the goal of introducing more kids ages 9-12 to the game and plans to host it again this coming summer.

Is a 5 on 2 in hockey possible? ›

No, a team can never have less than 3 players on the ice. If a team takes a penalty while they have three players on the ice the penalty will be served at the expiry of the penalty with the least amount of time left. Let's look at the rules and situations behind this more closely.

How do you look cute in a hockey game? ›

You can wear duck boots and leggings too with a vest for the hockey game. But make sure to match your shirt with the vest. Another option is cowboy boots with skinny jeans. Sweater, skinny jeans tucked in high knitted socks paired with cowboy boots is sure to make you look attractive.

Do they shake hands in hockey? ›

The handshake line, if you're unfamiliar, is when hockey teams line up at the end of a playoff series and shake hands, kind of like you do when you're kids. It's taken more seriously though, so instead of "good game, good game, good game," they elaborate a bit. It's usually very nice, except when it isn't.

Is hockey a healthy sport? ›

Hockey: Improves Brain Function and Alleviates Anxiety

It helps to release endorphins, which – in turn, helps to combat depression, stress and anxiety. In addition to the overall exercise benefits hockey offers, the need to make quick decisions also assists in developing the brain.

How many 15 minute quarters does hockey have? ›

Unlike most sports that play in halves and quarters, hockey has opted to take the road less traveled -- three 20-minute periods each with a 15-minute intermission before the second and third periods.

How long should you take a break from hockey? ›

Hockey players should have five days of active training and two non-consecutive days of rest per week.

Is hockey overtime always sudden death? ›

Overtime is played at five-on-five and the periods are 20 minutes long like a normal period. It remains sudden death, so the first team to score wins the game.

Is there a 3 minute penalty in hockey? ›

In the case of a match penalty, the team must place the replacement player in the penalty bench immediately. The differential will be recorded on the penalty clock as a three (3) minute or a one (1) minute penalty (as applicable), and served in the same manner as a major penalty.

Is there a 5 minute penalty in hockey? ›

Learn More About the Basics of Hockey

A major penalty requires the offending player to sit in the penalty box for five minutes with no replacement. Misconduct penalties last for ten minutes, but unlike minor and major penalties, teams are allowed to replace the offending player for the duration of the penalty.

Does boarding end 15 minutes? ›

Most flights start boarding 30 - 50 minutes before scheduled departure, but the exact time depends on your destination and plane. Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure. If you're not on board, we may reassign your seat to another passenger. You will not be allowed to board once the doors close.

What is Rule 603 in hockey? ›

ANSWER: Rule 603. b in the USA Hockey Playing Rules states, "A major plus game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who recklessly endangers an opponent as a result of boarding."

Is boarding illegal in hockey? ›

Boarding is a penalty when a player checks a defenseless opposing player into the boards. Defenseless means that he has his back to the checking player or no longer has a play on the puck.

Is hockey hard on the body? ›

And, while you may not realize it, simply balancing on your skates is working out your core. Thanks to all of this, hockey is one of the most core-intensive sports around. Lastly, there's your upper body. Overall, hockey isn't nearly as good at exercising your upper body as some other sports are.

Do you still bully off in hockey? ›

The previous bully-off method, where two opposite players used their hockey sticks to compete for the ball, is no longer used to start matches. It is only used to re-start a match when time or play has been stopped for an injury or for any other reason when no penalty has been awarded.

How much hockey should an 8 year old play? ›

The American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness recommends that children play only one sporting activity to a maximum of five days a week with at least one day off a week. Young athletes can follow the "10-per-cent rule" to prevent injuries.

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