Ice hockey

The Match Structure

A standard ice hockey contest unfolds across three periods, each lasting 20 minutes of playing time. The clock stops when the puck is not in play, meaning a game typically runs for two hours or more depending on stoppages. Between the first and second, and the second and third periods, there are intermissions for resurfacing the ice. If the score is tied after regulation time, the game proceeds to overtime. In many professional leagues, this is a five-minute sudden-death shootout where the first goal wins. If the tie persists, it moves to a penalty shootout, usually involving five shooters per team, though this varies by league rules.

Scoring and Penalties

The primary objective is to shoot the puck into the opponent’s net past the goaltender. A goal is worth one point. The puck must completely cross the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. Offences are penalised by sending players to the penalty box, removing them from the ice for a set duration, usually two, five, or ten minutes. Minor infractions like tripping or hooking result in two-minute penalties. More severe actions, such as high-sticking or fighting, attract major penalties where the player serves five minutes and the team plays short-handed. If a team is shorthanded and concedes a goal on a minor penalty, the penalty is terminated immediately.

Players and Substitutions

Each team fields six players on the ice: one goaltender, two defencemen, and three forwards. The goaltender is the only player allowed to handle the puck with their hands within the crease area. Substitutions are continuous and can occur at any time without stopping play, a feature known as "line changing." Teams typically rotate four lines of players to maintain high intensity. There is no limit to the number of substitutions, provided the team does not have too many players on the ice simultaneously.

Tournament Formats

Competitions are generally structured in two phases: a regular season and a playoff series. During the regular season, teams play each other multiple times to accumulate points. A win in regulation awards two points, while a loss in overtime or a shootout earns one point. The top teams from each division advance to the playoffs, which are contested in a best-of-seven series. The winner of each series progresses until a final champion is crowned.