By DustBin 
The game of hockey is fast-paced and exciting sport that is loved by fans all over the world. If you’re a fervent player or are a novice to hockey, knowing the nature and length of hockey games will enhance your experience watching. How long does the duration of a hockey game?
Regulation Time
The typical ice hockey match comprises of three time periods that last about 20 minutes. The total time of regulation for hockey games will be about 60 mins. But, the clock may stop due to various reasons, such as goals, penalties as well as other interruptions. As a result, the time actually spent watching the game can be more.
Intermissions
In between each of the three periods, are three periods of interval. In the majority of well-qualified leagues like the NHL every intermission is about 15 minutes. This allows the players to take a break and coaches to plan their strategy while fans can enjoy an evening of entertainment or have a bite to eat. If you add in the intervals, you could be expecting around forty minutes of breaks.
Overtime
If the match is in a tie at the conclusion of regulation, it could be put into overtime. The structure of overtime may differ based on the league as well as how important the game is. In regular season NHL game, there can be an 5 minute duration of sudden death play which means the team that is first that scores wins. If there is no scoring in this period it is determined via shootout. shootout.
When playing in playoff games, when the winner has to be decided in overtime, the time for overtime is twenty minutes each and last until the team has scored, efficaciously making the game longer, until there is a winner.
Shootouts
If the score remains at a tie following overtime during the regular season, a shootout will take place. The teams pick three players who shoot at the goalie of the other team. If the match remains at a standstill after these first attempts The shootout will continue with a sudden death format. Shootouts could bring an extra 15-20 minutes on top of the playing time.
Total Duration
In light of all these factors in a hockey game, one can say that a regular hockey game that includes intermissions and regulation time can last from two up to 2.5 minutes. In the event of overtime or a shootout it could last for 3 hours or longer.
Factors That Can Affect Game Duration
Many factors affect the time of a game. penalties and stoppages: Infrequent penalties, offsides, or icing penalties can shut down time and delay the time of play.
Video Review: In skillful leagues Goals and games that are controversial are usually reviewed by the officials. This can prolong the duration of the game.
Overtime and Shootouts Like we said earlier tied games could cause overtime and shootouts, which extend the game beyond its normal duration.
Television Timeouts in telecast games commercial breaks may be a factor in the length in the sport.
Conclusion
In the end, the exact time of a hockey game may vary, but it is generally possible to devote 2-3 hours watching it from start until the end, which includes interruptions as well as possible overtime. However, whether you’re watching at your house or in the arena, knowing the structure of a game can help to better understand the game’s pace and vigor. Therefore, the next time you watch or go to games, you’ll be able to see how long you’ll stay in the exciting game of hockey.