Hockey Endings Explained
Can hockey end in a tie? The answer is it depends on the league. The NHL no longer has ties and has shifted to a shootout format to decide the winner. We’ll break down everything from the National Hockey League (NHL) overtime rules to how different international hockey leagues handle hockey ties.
Here’s a table with hockey overtime rules for various leagues:
| League | Overtime Format | Tie Score Rules |
|---|---|---|
| NHL Regular Season | 5-minute period, 3-on-3 format. Power play changes to 4-on-3 or 5-on-3 depending on penalties. | If still tied after overtime, the game moves to a shootout with three rounds, followed by sudden-death rounds if needed. |
| NHL Playoffs | 20-minute periods at five-on-five, sudden-death format. Continues until a goal is scored. | No shootout. If the first overtime period ends without a goal, the game moves to a second overtime with the same format, continuing until a goal is scored. |
| NCAA | Regular-season overtimes are 5 minutes, sudden death, played 3-on-3. Teams switch ends for overtime. | Games can end in ties. Conferences may use a shootout after the initial 5-minute OT for league standings. Regular-season tournaments may use a shootout to break ties after OT. Additional timeout allowed in overtime. |
| IIHF & Olympics |
Preliminary round: 5-minute OT, 3-on-3. Playoff round: 10-minute OT, 4-on-4. Medal games: 20-minute OT, 5-on-5. |
Shootout if tied after OT. Initially three rounds, followed by sudden death if needed. |
All About Ties in Hockey Games
First things first: no, NHL hockey games can’t end in a tie during the regular season. The NHL uses the ‘sudden-death’ method where the game keeps going until a team scores, making them the winners.
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The longest-recorded NHL overtime game was between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, which lasted six extra 20-minute periods after the end of regulation time.
The NHL Overtime Rules
When a regular-season hockey game ends with a tie after regulation time (60 minutes divided into three 20-minute periods), it shifts into ‘overtime’ (OT), which is an extra period of play. The game used to follow a 5-minute OT period with a 4-on-4 player format, but since the 2015-16 season, the NHL now uses a 3-on-3 format.
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Shootouts: The Game-Changing Rule
In 2005, the NHL introduced a change: if no team scores during overtime, they move to a shootout. Players from each side get turns to take penalty shots against the opponent’s goalie, starting with the visiting team. If there’s still a tie after three rounds, the shootout turns into ‘sudden death,’ with more rounds until a team finally scores. That team gets an extra point and wins the game.
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Playoff Rules Are Different
In playoff matches, OT rules slightly change. The focus switches from shootouts to 20-minute, sudden-death overtime periods with full 5-on-5 player teams on the ice. This major change requires the players to have high endurance and strength. In sudden death, the first team to score wins the game.
Other Leagues and Amateur Games
Unlike the NHL, other hockey leagues and amateur games might end in a tie, depending on local governing bodies’ rules. For example, College or NCAA Hockey allows for a tie at the end of certain tournament games.
Rule Changes and Penalty Shots
The NHL made a new rule change and introduced the 3-on-3 format to make games better for television viewing. The new format makes games more intense and decreases the overall game time.
Penalty shots can also determine the game’s outcome. In a penalty shot, a player starts from center ice and aims to score a goal against the opposing goalie, with no other players in action.
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Can Hockey End In A Tie? The Impact of the Shootout Rule
Shootouts have been significant for NHL games since their introduction in the 2005-06 season, allowing a definite ending for tie games in the regular season. The longest-recorded NHL overtime game was between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, which lasted six extra 20-minute periods after the end of regulation time. But now, lengthy games are rare due to the shootout rule. Different professional hockey leagues have different rules to resolve ties. For instance, the East Coast Hockey League uses different tiebreaker methods, while the NCAA’s sudden-death periods are shorter than the NHL.
Final Thoughts
The NHL’s rule to add shootouts didn’t just change a rule; it ended the era where ties were common. Now, each game is sure to have an ending. So, “can hockey end in a tie?” Well, not in the NHL. The overtime and shootout rules make sure every game has a winner.
Even though NHL rules change a bit each year, regular-season NHL games will never have a tie. Each game serves excitement and thrill until the final moment. And the next time you ask “Can hockey end in a tie?”, remember the NHL Overtime Shootout rules. Whether you’re a fan of the regular season or high-stakes Stanley Cup Playoffs, you’re guaranteed a clear winner in every game.
FAQ
- What is the NHL overtime rule? The NHL overtime rule is quite simple: if a match ends in a tie after regular playtime, the game is extended into a 5-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime. If both teams remain tied after this 3-on-3 overtime, the match is finally decided through a shootout. Recently, NHL general managers reviewed this overtime format, discussing potential enhancements to encourage more offense during overtime.
- What are the overtime rules for the NHL playoffs 2023? The NHL playoff overtime rules for 2023 are straightforward: when a playoff game ends in a tie after regular playtime, the teams face off in a full 20-minute sudden-death overtime period. Unlike the regular NHL season where matches might end in a shootout, playoff games continue in these 20-minute periods until someone scores. It’s all about endurance and who can score that crucial goal first!
- When did 3-on-3 overtime start? The shift to a 3-on-3 overtime was implemented in the 2015-16 season. The idea behind this was to make overtime more exciting and reduce the number of games decided by shootouts. It was a move that was well-received and brought dynamism and a faster pace to overtime in NHL games.
- What is the longest overtime in the NHL? The all-time record for the longest overtime in an NHL match belongs to a game between the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Maroons in 1936. This classic game went into an epic six-overtime match, making it the longest in NHL history.
- How many overtimes until a shootout in NHL? For regular NHL season games, if teams remain tied after the 5-minute 3-on-3 overtime, the match is decided by a shootout. It’s an exciting way to ensure a result and award an extra point to the winning team. The format has been in place since the 2005-06 season.
- How many overtimes are in NHL playoffs? In the NHL playoffs, there’s no specified limit to the number of overtime periods. Unlike the regular season where a tie is ultimately decided by a shootout, in playoffs, teams continue to play 20-minute sudden-death overtime periods until a goal is scored. This format adds intense, nail-biting suspense to matches that go into overtime.
