How Many Periods in Hockey? A Complete Guide to NHL, Playoffs, Overtime & More

Introduction: The Fundamental Structure of Hockey Games

For new fans and seasoned spectators alike, understanding the basic structure of a hockey game is essential. The division of play into distinct segments is one of the sport’s defining characteristics, differing from other major sports like basketball or football. This comprehensive guide answers all your questions about periods in hockey, covering the NHL, playoffs, overtime rules, and different leagues from college to the AHL.

How Many Periods in Hockey? The Standard Answer

Across nearly all levels of organized ice hockey worldwide, the standard format consists of three periods.

This holds true for:

The National Hockey League (NHL)
International competitions (IIHF, Olympics)
Major junior leagues (CHL, OHL, WHL, QMJHL)
Professional leagues worldwide (KHL, SHL, Liiga)

So, to answer a common direct search: No, hockey is not 4 periods; it is 3 periods.

How Long is Each Hockey Period?

The length of a period depends on the level of play:

NHL & Most Professional Leagues: 20 minutes of stop-time per period. The clock stops for whistles (offsides, icing, penalties, goals).
International (IIHF/Olympics): 20 minutes of stop-time per period.
College Hockey (NCAA): 20 minutes of stop-time per period.
High School Hockey: Typically 15 or 17 minutes of stop-time per period, depending on state association rules.
Youth Hockey: Period length varies by age group, often ranging from 12 to 15 minutes of stop-time.

Crucial Timing Note: While a period is scheduled for 20 minutes, the actual elapsed time from start to finish is usually 35-45 minutes due to stoppages, intermissions, and commercials (in professional broadcasts).

What Are the Breaks Between Periods Called?

The breaks between periods are called intermissions.

Standard Length: In the NHL and most professional leagues, each intermission is 17 minutes and 30 seconds long. This allows time for the ice to be resurfaced by the Zamboni, teams to regroup in the locker room, and broadcasters to air analysis and commercials.
Other Levels: Intermissions are typically 15 minutes long in college, high school, and international play.

How Many Periods in NHL Hockey?

The NHL follows the universal standard: three periods of 20 minutes each, with two 17.5-minute intermissions. This has been the case since the 1910-11 season, when the league (then the NHA) moved away from two 30-minute halves to reduce fatigue and improve ice quality.

How Many Periods in Hockey Playoffs & the Stanley Cup?

The basic structure does not change in the playoffs. Stanley Cup playoff games are also comprised of three regulation periods of 20 minutes each.

The defining difference in the playoffs is the overtime procedure, which is sudden-death and full-length periods, creating the potential for marathon games (see Overtime section below).

How Many Periods in Overtime Hockey?

Overtime rules are where hockey diverges most dramatically from its standard three-period format. The structure depends entirely on whether it’s the regular season or the playoffs.

NHL Regular Season Overtime

If a game is tied after three periods, a single, 5-minute overtime period is played.

Format: 3-on-3 skaters (plus goalies).
Rules: Sudden-death (first goal wins).
Outcome: If no one scores, the game proceeds to a shootout.

NHL Playoff & Stanley Cup Overtime

There is no shootout in the playoffs. Overtime consists of full 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 hockey, repeated until a goal is scored.

Format: 5-on-5 skaters, full teams.
Rules: Sudden-death, full periods.
There is no limit to how many overtime periods can be played. Games have gone into triple, quadruple, and even sextuple overtime. Each period is followed by a full intermission.

College & International Overtime

Rules vary:

NCAA (Regular Season): Usually a 5-minute, sudden-death 3-on-3 period, often followed by a shootout.
NCAA (Playoffs/Tournament): Similar to NHL playoffs, with continuous 20-minute sudden-death periods.
IIHF (World Championships): 10 minutes of 3-on-3, then a shootout in preliminary rounds. In medal games, continuous 20-minute periods.

League-Specific Period Rules: AHL, College, High School

How Many Periods in Hockey AHL?

The American Hockey League (AHL), the NHL’s primary developmental league, follows identical rules to the NHL: three 20-minute periods, with the same regular season (5-min, 3-on-3) and playoff (20-min, 5-on-5) overtime formats.

How Many Periods in College Hockey?

NCAA hockey games consist of three 20-minute stop-time periods. Overtime rules can vary by conference, but the standard is a 5-minute 3-on-3 OT followed by a shootout in the regular season, and continuous 20-minute OTs in the postseason.

How Many Periods in High School Hockey?

Governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and state bodies, high school hockey is three periods. The length is most commonly 15 or 17 minutes of stop-time, depending on the state. Overtime rules also vary significantly by state, often starting with a 5 or 8-minute sudden-death period.

Why Three Periods? A Brief History

Hockey originally borrowed its structure from rugby and soccer, playing two 30-minute halves. The shift to three periods occurred in the early 1900s for two practical reasons:

Ice Quality: The ice would become heavily rutted and chipped after 30 minutes of continuous play, becoming dangerous and slowing the game. A break at the 20-minute mark allowed for repairs.
Player Fatigue: Shorter segments allowed for more intense, faster-paced play as players could rest more frequently.

The change was officially adopted by the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) in 1912 and soon spread worldwide, becoming the standard we know today.

Key Terms Related to Periods

Regulation: The standard three-period, 60-minute game.
Sudden-Death Overtime: The first goal scored wins the game immediately.
Shootout: A tie-breaking method used after overtime in regular season games, where players take penalty shots one-on-one against the goalie.
Intermission: The break between periods.
Zamboni: The ice resurfacing machine used during intermissions.

Conclusion: The Consistent Rhythm of Hockey

Whether you’re watching a Stanley Cup Final marathon overtime, a college rivalry game, or a local high school matchup, the foundational structure remains the same: three periods of hockey.

The magic of the sport lies in how this simple framework can expand in the playoffs to create some of the most dramatic and grueling moments in all of sports. Remember: