When a hockey game is tied at the end of regulation, it doesn’t end in a draw. Instead, the game moves into overtime, which is designed to create quick scoring chances and bring the game to a decisive finish. In most leagues, overtime is played with fewer skaters on the ice — typically three skaters per team plus a goalie. This open‑ice format creates more space, faster movement, and frequent scoring opportunities.

Overtime is played under sudden‑death rules, meaning the first team to score wins the game immediately. Because possession is so valuable in this format, teams often play more cautiously, focusing on puck control and smart line changes rather than constant attacking pressure. A single mistake can end the game, which adds tension to every shift.

If no goal is scored during overtime, the game is decided by a shootout. In a shootout, players take turns skating in alone against the goalie in a one‑on‑one attempt to score. Each team selects a set number of shooters, and the team with the most goals after those attempts wins. While shootouts don’t reflect traditional gameplay, they provide a clear and exciting way to determine a winner.