Hockey Intermission
Intermissions in Hockey
An intermission is a brief break of play between periods in hockey. There are between two and four intermissions in a hockey game, depending on whether a game goes into overtime or a shootout.
The first and second intermissions take place in every game. The first intermission is between the first and second periods, and the second intermission is between the second and third periods.
The first two intermissions last fifteen and a half minutes (seventeen for televised games) in the NHL, and time is recorded by the game timekeeper and presented to fans on the scoreboard.
During intermission, players leave the ice through doors in the boards and head to the locker rooms. Intermissions allow players to regroup and make adjustments to their game plan before the next period. During this time, the Zamboni will also come onto the ice to perform necessary maintenance.
Overtime Intermission in Hockey
A third intermission only takes place in games that go into overtime. It happens after the third regulation period and before the first overtime period. The intermission before overtime only lasts one minute in NHL regular season games. In the NHL playoffs, the overtime periods last 20 minutes if no goal is scored, so the ice needs to be resurfaced. This will result in an extra 15-minute intermission in NHL playoff games going to overtime.
The fourth intermission only takes place in games that require a shootout to decide the winner, which happens when the score is still tied at the end of overtime.
FAQ
How many intermissions are there in a hockey game?
There are two intermissions in a regulation hockey game. The first intermission is between the first and second periods. The second intermission is between the second and third periods. There can be more intermissions if the game goes into overtime and shootouts.
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.
Which team gets the puck after intermission?
What happens during hockey intermission?
During intermission, players and coaches go to the locker rooms to strategize for the next period. There is usually some concert or promotion to keep fans entertained during intermissions. This intermission period is also when the Zamboni comes out to do maintenance on the ice. You can also watch analysis and breakdown of the previous period by sports analysts on major television networks during intermissions.