Hockey guide
How a hockey game works: periods, overtime and shootouts
A standard hockey game has three periods, and the team with more goals at the end wins. If the score is tied, some leagues allow the tie, while others use overtime or a shootout. Details vary by league, so check yours.
A hockey game is a simple idea: score more goals than the other team before time runs out. The details of periods, overtime and shootouts are where parents get confused, especially at a tournament where the rules for a tie change from game to game. This guide explains how a game is built, how scoring works and what usually happens when the score is level, with notes on where youth leagues differ.
How a game is built
In standard rules, a game is divided into three periods, with a break between them. A clock counts down during play and stops at whistles in many levels of hockey, while some youth leagues use a running clock to keep games on schedule. The length of each period varies by league and age group, so check your schedule rather than assuming. Teams switch ends between periods, which means your child's team will defend a different net each period.
How a goal is scored
A goal counts when the puck fully crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. Because the puck is small and fast, officials and goal judges sometimes need a second look. Each goal is worth one point. A goal can be scored by the shooter, or off a teammate or even an opponent's stick or skate. There are a few ways a goal does not count: the puck was kicked in on purpose, knocked in with a high stick, or the attacking team interfered with the goalie. These calls vary slightly by level.
Assists
Scoresheets also record assists. In standard rules, up to two players can be credited with an assist on a goal, which means they touched the puck just before the scorer and helped set up the play. Some youth leagues do not keep detailed stats at younger ages, so do not be surprised if your child's team does not track assists.
Reading a basic scoresheet
The scoresheet is the official record of the game. You may see it posted at the rink or online. It usually includes the goals, who scored them, who assisted, penalties and the goalie who played. Here is what the common columns mean.
| Item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Goal (G) | The player who put the puck in the net |
| Assist (A) | A player who helped set up the goal; usually up to two |
| Penalty minutes (PIM) | Total time a player spent in the penalty box |
| Shots on goal | Shots that would have gone in if the goalie had not stopped them |
| Saves | Shots on goal that the goalie stopped |
What happens if the game is tied
This is where leagues differ the most. A tie at the end of regulation can be handled in several ways, and a single tournament may use different ones in pool play and in the playoffs.
- The game simply ends in a tie. Many youth leagues, especially at younger ages, allow ties and count them in the standings.
- Overtime. Teams play an extra period. In many formats it is sudden death, so the first goal wins. The number of skaters allowed on the ice in overtime can differ.
- Shootout. If the game is still tied, players take turns in one-on-one chances against the goalie.
Ask your league or tournament director which of these applies. Do not assume what you saw at an adult game or on television matches your child's game.
How a shootout works
In a typical shootout, each team chooses shooters who take turns starting from the center of the ice and skating alone at the goalie. A team earns a point if the shooter scores. Teams usually go through a set number of rounds, and if the score is still level, the shootout continues one shooter at a time until a winner is found. Details vary, so ask the coach how the team picks its shooters. Shootouts can feel emotional for children, so it helps to remind them it is one moment in a team game.
How standings work
In many leagues, teams earn points for a win and fewer or none for a loss or tie, and the standings are sorted by points. Tiebreakers, such as goal difference or head-to-head results, vary by league and can matter in tournaments. If your team's standing depends on a tiebreaker, ask the tournament director and look at the printed rules before the final pool game. You will find more on formats in our tournament weekend guide.
Penalties and the clock
Penalties can change how a game feels. When a player goes to the penalty box, the other team has a power play, which means extra skaters on the ice for a short time. Teams often score more on power plays, so one period can swing quickly. The clock may stop for the whistle and restart at the next faceoff. Our penalties guide covers how the box works and how long players sit.
Pulling the goalie
In the last minutes of a close game, you may see a team take its goalie off the ice and add an extra skater. This is called pulling the goalie. It gives the team more attackers but leaves the net empty, so it is a risk. Many youth coaches never use it, and some leagues limit it. If you see it, you now know why the crowd gets loud.
Mercy rules and running clocks
Some leagues use a mercy rule, where the clock runs without stopping once the score gap grows large, so a lopsided game ends faster and nobody is embarrassed. Others limit how many goals a team may score. These rules help keep the focus on development. If your child's team is on either side of a blowout, it is a good moment to talk about effort, sportsmanship and having fun.
Talking to your child about winning and losing
A scoreboard rarely tells the whole story at the youth level. Ask about a good pass, a hard shift or a play your child is proud of. If the game ended in a shootout loss, you can acknowledge it was a tough one and then move on. For the rules your child will see during play, read hockey rules for beginners, and for the positions in each period, see hockey positions explained.
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Sources and further reading
- Rule Book & Resources USA Hockey
- Rules & Regulations International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
- What is ice hockey? Encyclopaedia Britannica
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Frequently asked questions
How many periods are in a hockey game?
Standard rules use three periods. The length of each period varies by league and age group, so check your schedule.
What is an assist in hockey?
An assist is credited to a player who helped set up a goal, and in standard rules up to two players can get one. Some youth leagues do not track assists at young ages.
What happens if a youth hockey game is tied?
It depends on the league or tournament. Some allow ties, while others play overtime or a shootout.
How does a hockey shootout work?
Players take turns skating alone at the goalie, and a team scores a point when its shooter puts the puck in. Rounds continue until a winner is found.
What is a mercy rule in hockey?
A mercy rule changes how the clock runs or limits scoring when one team is far ahead. Not every league uses one, so ask yours.