Ice hockey / Rule 84
Overtime and shootouts
IIHF · 2026/27In short
The format depends on the competition and stage.
Overtime
The specified IIHF preliminary format uses up to 5 minutes of sudden-death overtime, normally with 3 skaters per side plus goalkeepers. Penalties alter the numbers. Playoff and medal formats must be checked separately.
Shootout
Where the shootout procedure applies, 5 different eligible shooters per team take alternating attempts, stopping once decided. A continuing tie leads to paired sudden-death attempts; players may then repeat. Special championship formats may continue overtime instead.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent topic summaries of the supplied IIHF Rule Book 2026/27, version 1.0, June 2026. This is not the NHL rulebook or a complete reproduction. Women’s, junior and pilot provisions are identified separately; competition regulations govern applicable formats. References use PDF pages.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗