Essential Ice Hockey Rules Explained

Feb 4, 2025

Rules of Ice Hockey

Objective

  • Score more goals than the opposing team.
  • A goal is made when the puck crosses the goal line into the goal.

Playing Area

  • North America: 200ft x 85ft
  • Internationally: 60m x 30m

Gameplay

  • Starts with a Face Off at center ice or at one of the 8 other faceoff dots.
  • Two teams of 20 players, with 6 players on the ice at any time (3 forwards, 2 defenders, 1 goaltender).
  • Unlimited substitutions allowed at any time.
  • Played in 3 x 20-minute periods (total 60 minutes).
  • The team with the highest score at the end wins.

Penalties

  • Breaking rules results in time penalties, leaving the team short-handed.
  • Powerplay: Opponents gain a man-advantage.
  • Penalty Kill: Team with a penalty defends with one less player.

Types of Penalties

  • Minor Infractions: 2-minute penalties.
    • Examples: hooking, slashing, interference, tripping, roughing, high sticking.
  • Major Infractions: 5-minute penalties, served fully even if a goal is scored.
    • Examples: fighting, charging, hits to the head.
  • Misconduct Infractions: 10-minute penalties.
    • Includes intent to injure or unsportsmanlike conduct towards officials.
  • Game Misconduct: Player ejection from the game.

Other Rules

Penalty Shot

  • Awarded when a player is obstructed from shooting properly.
  • Shooter starts from center ice and is allowed one shot against the goalie.

Offside

  • Puck must cross opponent's blue line before any players from the team.
  • Offside results in a faceoff in your end.

Icing

  • Puck crosses two red lines (center and opponent’s goal line).
  • Results in a faceoff in your end to prevent boring play.

Game Outcomes

Draw or Tie

  • International rules: Game ends in a draw/tie if scores are equal after three periods.

Overtime

  • North American rules: Sudden death overtime if tied after three periods.
  • Game ends when a goal is scored in overtime.

Shootout

  • Occurs if still tied after overtime.
  • Each team has three shooters; best out of three wins.
  • If still tied, moves to sudden death shootout.

Conclusion

  • Rules become second nature with watching or playing.
  • Enjoy the game of ice hockey.

For more information, visit Ninh Ly's website at www.ninh.co.uk or follow @NinhLyUK on social media.