Hockey Basics

Object of the game

To win by scoring more goals than the opposition.

How goals are scored

By shooting the puck past the opposing goaltender and into the net

Length of a game

A game consists of three 20-minute periods with a 15-minute intermission between periods. If the game is tied at the end of the third period a five-minute sudden death overtime is played. If neither team scores in overtime, the game is decided by a shootout.

The shootout

Each team is allowed to have five players take one penalty shot each against the opposing goaltender. If the score is still tied after both teams have shot five times, the shootout goes to sudden death.

Penalties

A team is penalized when one or more of its players is charged with an infraction. No team is forced to play more than two men below full (six-man) strength at any time. Whenever a third penalty is called against a team already down two men, it is suspended until the first expires. On penalties called on the goaltender, a teammate serves his time in the penalty box. When a goal is scored during a power play, the short-handed team goes back to full strength. There are several basic types of penalties: minor (2 minutes), major (5 minutes), 10-minute misconduct (does not effect man power on-ice). A game ejection, game misconduct, gross misconduct and match penalty all result in the penalized player's ejection, and possibly further suspension.