Overtime in Ice Hockey: Rules, Formats, and 2026 Olympic Drama
MILAN, 18 February 2026 – As the Winter Olympics reach a fever pitch in Italy, the concept of “Sudden Death” has once again taken centre stage. Following Canada’s dramatic 4-3 quarter-final victory over a resilient opponent just 13 hours ago, fans are revisiting the complex regulations that govern ice hockey when sixty minutes aren’t enough to decide a winner.
The Fundamentals of Overtime
In ice hockey, overtime (OT) is the additional period played to determine a winner when a game is tied at the end of regulation time. Under the IIHF Official Rulebook 2025/26, the primary objective is to reach a decisive result through “Sudden Death”—meaning the first team to score immediately ends the game.
Current Olympic and International Standards
According to the latest IIHF regulations applied during the 2026 Milan Games, the format of overtime varies depending on the stage of the tournament:
- Group Stage: A five-minute period played 3-on-3. If no goal is scored, a penalty shootout follows.
- Knockout Rounds (Quarter-finals & Semi-finals): A ten-minute period played 3-on-3.
- Gold Medal Game: A twenty-minute period played 3-on-3.
Recent Drama: Canada’s Overtime Heroics
The intensity of these rules was on full display yesterday. In a quarter-final clash that saw Canadian superstar Sidney Crosby leave the ice with an injury, it was Mitch Marner who secured the “golden goal.” Marner scored just 1:22 into the overtime period after a solo backhand effort, ending the game 4-3 and sending Canada into the semi-finals. This followed a late regulation equaliser by Nick Suzuki in the 57th minute.
Earlier in the tournament, the Swiss national team also capitalised on the overtime format. Dean Kukan secured a vital victory against Czechia in the group stages, while the Swiss men’s team recently faced a tense OT period against Finland, though they were unable to convert their 2-on-1 opportunities before the clock expired.
Domestic League Variations: DEL and DEL2
While international play focuses on 3-on-3 formats to open up the ice, domestic leagues like the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) and DEL2 follow specific protocols. In the DEL2, recent action saw the Starbulls Rosenheim defeat the Kassel Huskies 3-2 after overtime. This marked the third time this season these two teams ended regulation at 2-2, with Rosenheim consistently finding the winner in the extra frame.
Playoff Overtime: The Ultimate Test
In professional playoff hockey, the rules shift significantly. Unlike the regular season or early Olympic rounds, playoff games often feature continuous overtime. This involves full 20-minute periods played 5-on-5 until a goal is scored. These marathons can last for hours, testing the physical and mental limits of the athletes.
Key Rules of the Extra Period
| Feature | Standard IIHF (Regular) | Playoff Format (DEL/NHL) |
|---|---|---|
| Player Strength | 3 vs 3 | 5 vs 5 |
| Duration | 5 or 10 Minutes | 20 Minutes (Continuous) |
| Side Change | Teams do not switch ends | Teams switch ends each period |
| Ending | Sudden Death or Shootout | Sudden Death Only |
Penalty Carry-overs
A common point of confusion for fans is how penalties affect overtime. According to Rule 84 of the IIHF handbook, if a player is serving a penalty at the end of regulation, that penalty carries over into the overtime period. In 3-on-3 play, if a team is penalised, the opposing team adds a player (becoming 4-on-3) rather than removing a player from the penalised side, to ensure the game remains fluid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if no one scores in Olympic overtime?
In the preliminary rounds and bronze medal games, if the overtime period ends scoreless, the game proceeds to a “Penalty Shot Shootout.” Each team initially takes five shots, followed by sudden-death rounds if still tied.
Why is 3-on-3 used instead of 5-on-5?
The 3-on-3 format was introduced to create more open ice and scoring opportunities, reducing the number of games that need to be decided by a shootout, which many purists feel is an unsatisfactory way to end a team sport.
Do teams change ends for overtime?
In standard IIHF tournament play (such as the current 2026 Olympics), teams do not change ends for the overtime period. However, in long-form playoff hockey (5-on-5), teams change ends at the start of each new 20-minute overtime period.
What was the fastest goal in the 2026 Olympics overtime?
As of 18 February 2026, Mitch Marner’s goal at 1:22 against the opposition in the quarter-finals stands as one of the quickest decisive strikes in the knockout phase of this tournament.