College Hockey Basics

The Game

Teams play with five skaters and one goaltender at full strength. Regulation consists of three 20-minute periods, and the team with more goals wins.

Power Plays & Penalties

A standard minor penalty lasts two minutes and generally ends if the opposing team scores on the resulting power play. A major penalty lasts five minutes and does not end when the opponent scores.

Overtime & Shootouts

If a regular-season game is tied after regulation, NCAA hockey can use five minutes of 3-on-3 overtime. Conference games that remain tied may proceed to a shootout for conference standings purposes. Postseason games requiring a winner continue into overtime.

Understanding the Standings

GP

Games Played

W

Wins

L

Losses

T

Ties

PTS

Conference Points

GF

Goals For

GA

Goals Against

Rankings vs. Standings

Standings measure performance within a conference and help determine postseason positioning. Rankings compare teams nationally.

The Postseason

Teams compete through their conference postseason before the NCAA Tournament field is finalized. The NCAA Division I Women’s Ice Hockey Championship culminates in the Women’s Frozen Four.