Hockey

Hockey is a team sport played in several forms, most notably ice hockey, in which players use sticks to direct a puck into the opposing team’s net.

Hockey is a team sport played in several forms, most notably ice hockey, in which players use sticks to direct a puck into the opposing team’s net. In Canada, “hockey” commonly refers to ice hockey. This article focuses on ice hockey, the version most commonly associated with the term in Canada.

Game structure

Standard ice hockey is played in three periods, each 20 minutes long, for 60 minutes of regulation time. The 60 minutes of playing time usually takes much longer in real time because the clock stops for stoppages in play. A typical National Hockey League game often lasts about 2.5 hours when intermissions and stoppages are included.

Rules and officiating

Common infractions include offside, which is called when an attacking player enters the offensive zone before the puck crosses the blue line. Other stoppages can occur for icing, penalties, puck covers, and video review.

Professional hockey

The National Hockey League is the leading professional ice hockey league in North America and uses the standard three-period format. Canada is home to many NHL teams and has a long history in the sport. The NHL’s all-time regular-season goals leader is Wayne Gretzky.

Season and scheduling

The NHL regular season usually begins in early October, with opening games commonly played then, and runs through the spring, followed by the Stanley Cup playoffs. Amateur and youth schedules vary by league and region.