Whether you’re glued to your TV during an NHL nail-biter, shouting at the screen while your college team dukes it out, or just enjoying some live local hockey, these 13 drinking games are designed to keep the good times rolling and the drinks flowing. Get ready for a night of hilarity, intense competition, and maybe some blurry memories.
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12 Free Hockey Drinking Games
1. The Hat Trick Drinking Game: Celebrating Goals in Style
You pick a star player at the start of the game. Every time they score, you take a drink. If your player scores a hat trick (three goals in one game), everyone else finishes their drink! It’s a surefire way to keep everyone on the edge of their seats, hoping for that magical third goal.
Rules:
- You pick a rookie player, thinking you’ll sip slowly. But then they score their third goal, and suddenly your friends are chugging like there’s no tomorrow.
- The Gretzky Challenge: Choose a legendary player. If they score a hat trick, you finish your entire drink.
- The Underdog: Select a lesser-known player. You only drink if they score a hat trick—high risk, high reward!
Is it free? Yep, this one’s on the house—no cost to play.
2. Power Play Drinking Game: Capitalize on Penalties
Hockey power plays are tense, pulse-pounding moments, and this drinking game cranks up the excitement even more. Every time your team gets a power play, you drink for the entire duration. If your team scores during the power play, everyone else finishes their drink. Feeling brave? Drink during your team’s penalty kill, too!
Rules:
- Your team’s on a power play, and you’re sipping away. They score, and your friends are groaning as they chug their beers.
- Penalty Kill Variation: Drink when your team is on the penalty kill—now it’s about survival as much as winning.
Is it free? You bet it is.
3. The Penalty Box Drinking Game: A New Spin on Penalties
Penalties in hockey can swing a game, and in this drinking game, they’ll swing your night! Assign a drink or challenge to each type of penalty before the game starts. Every time a player from your team gets sent to the penalty box, you have to complete the assigned challenge. Major penalty? Double the punishment!
Rules:
- Your team’s player gets called for tripping, and you’ve been assigned to take a shot of whiskey. The whistle blows, and you’re reaching for that bottle.
- A teammate gets a major penalty, and now you’re looking at two shots—time to pace yourself!
Is it free? Yes, although you might want to stock up on your favorite drinks.
4. Hockey Trivia Shot Challenge: Test Your Knowledge
So you think you know hockey? Time to put that knowledge to the test. During breaks in the game, fire off trivia questions to the group. Get the answer right, and you get to relax. Get it wrong, and you’re looking at a shot. You can even spice things up with varying difficulty levels: easy questions for a sip of beer, and hard questions for a shot of something stronger.
Examples:
- Who was the first player to score 50 goals in 50 games? ( Maurice Richard)
- Who is the all-time leading goal scorer in NHL history? (Wayne Gretzky)
- Which team won the first-ever Stanley Cup in 1893? (Montreal Hockey Club)
- What is the record for the fastest hat trick in NHL history? (21 seconds by Bill Mosienko in 1952)
- Which player holds the record for most career points by a defenseman? (Ray Bourque)
- What year did the NHL expand from the Original Six to 12 teams? (1967)
Is it free? Absolutely, as long as you have drinks and trivia ready.
5. Quarter Hockey Drinking Game: Add a Twist to Your Watch
This game is a simple yet fun way to add a bit of chance to your hockey night. Before the game, gather a few quarters. Each quarter represents a different player or team action. For instance, one quarter might represent goals, another penalties, and another face-offs. At the start of the game, everyone flips their quarters. If your quarter lands heads up, you drink whenever your designated action occurs. For an added twist, you can add rules like “if all quarters land heads, everyone drinks!”
Is it free? Yes, this game is completely free.
6. Bender Hockey Drinking Game: A Game for True Fans
If you’re fluent in hockey slang, this game is for you. “Bender” refers to a player who’s not exactly graceful on the ice, and in this game, every time a player makes a mistake—like missing a pass or taking a weak shot—you take a drink. You can even add rules for when the commentator mentions a “bender” or a player who’s “riding the pine” (sitting on the bench). This game is all about having fun with the quirks and mishaps that make hockey so entertaining.
Is it free? Yes, this game is completely free.
7. Goal Drinking Game: Keep Up with the Action
One of the simplest hockey drinking games, the Goal Drinking Game is all about reacting to the most exciting moment in hockey—when a goal is scored. Every time the word “goal” is shouted by the announcer, everyone takes a drink. You can adjust the rules based on your group’s drinking tolerance:
- Team Goals: Only drink when your team scores.
- Opponent’s Goals: Take a shot when the opposing team scores. This game is fast-paced and perfect for those who want to keep things simple but still enjoy the game’s high moments.
Is it free? Yes, this game is completely free.
8. College Hockey Drinking Game: School Spirit with a Shot
If you’re all about college hockey, this game is designed to bring out your school spirit. Set up rules based on your team’s traditions—like drinking every time your team scores against a rival, or taking a sip whenever the school chant echoes through the arena.
- Rivalry Goals: Drink every time your team scores against a rival.
- School Chant: Take a sip every time the school chant is heard.
- Student Section Madness: Finish your drink if the student section goes wild on camera. This game is perfect for college students or alumni who want to relive their glory days while cheering on their team.
Is it free? Yes, this game is completely free.
9. The NHL Playoff Drinking Game: For the Ultimate Hockey Fans
The NHL playoffs are one of the most thrilling times of the year for hockey fans, and this drinking game makes it even more exciting. Whether you’re watching your team fight through the first round or the intense battle for the Stanley Cup, this game adds an extra layer of fun to every shot, goal, and save.
Examples:
- Overtime Intensity: If the game goes into overtime, everyone takes a shot to kick off the extra period.
- Power Play Payoff: Every time your team gets a power play, take a sip for each shot on goal. If they score, everyone else finishes their drink.
- Rivalry Rage: Drink every time the commentator mentions the rivalry between the teams on the ice. If the game is between long-time rivals, get ready to drink a lot!
- Crossover Sports: For those who love both hockey and football, take a shot whenever the commentator references another sport like football or basketball during the game.
Is it free? Yes, this game is completely free to enjoy during the NHL playoffs.
10. Ice Hockey Drinking Game: Slip and Sip
This drinking game is perfect for fans who want to turn the icy action of an ice hockey game into a frosty drinking challenge.
Examples:
- Slips and Falls: Every time a player slips or falls on the ice, everyone takes a drink.
- Goal After a Slip: If a goal is scored right after a player slips, finish your drink.
- Double Whammy: If two players slip simultaneously (whether they’re on the same team or not), everyone takes a double shot.
Is it free? Yes, this game costs nothing—just your drink of choice and some sharp observation skills.
11. Play-by-Play Predictions Drinking Game: Guess and Guzzle
“Play-by-Play Predictions” takes your hockey-watching experience to a whole new level by turning your predictions into drinking game fun. Instead of just reacting to what the commentator says, you and your friends will try to predict the next event in the game—and the drinks depend on how accurate you are.
Rules:
- Pre-Period Predictions: Before each period starts, everyone writes down predictions for key events (like “first goal scorer,” “next penalty,” or “next big save”).
- Commentator Cues: Whenever the commentator confirms a prediction, the person who guessed it correctly chooses someone to take a drink. If no one guessed correctly, everyone drinks.
- Missed Prediction: If your prediction turns out to be completely wrong (e.g., you guessed a goal, but instead, a penalty happens), you take a shot.
- Nailed It!: If you nail a particularly tricky prediction, like predicting the exact time of the next goal, everyone else has to finish their drink.
Is it free? Yes, this game is completely free—just bring your drinks and your best hockey intuition!
Table Hockey Drinking Game
12. Air Hockey Drinking Game: Tabletop Fun with a Twist
Air hockey is already a fast-paced, competitive game, but adding a drinking component takes it to a whole new level. Set up an air hockey table (if you have one) and start a match. This game is great for pre-gaming or for those moments when the main hockey game is on a break.
Examples:
- Play a mini-match with your friends, and every time a goal is scored, the loser has to drink.
- For added excitement, introduce challenges like “left-hand-only” rounds or “speed rounds” where the timer is set for a quick play.
Is it free? No, you need access to an air hockey table, which can be a bit costly. Portable tables can range from $50 to $200.
Great news! There’s an Air Hockey Online Challenge waiting for you, and guess what? No need for a fancy table, paddles, or hanging out at the arcade. You can play air hockey anytime, anywhere—whether you’re lounging on the couch, pretending to work (your secret’s safe with us), or waiting for your coffee to brew its magic. Time to turn your screen into a tiny battleground!
13. Table Ice Hockey Drinking Game: Mini Rink, Major Drinks
Table ice hockey is perfect for when you want to bring the excitement of the ice rink into your living room. This game takes the fun of table ice hockey (also known as rod hockey or bubble hockey) and turns it into a thrilling drinking competition.
Rules:
- Goal Scored: Every time a player scores a goal, the opposing player takes a drink.
- Shutout: If one player shuts out the other (no goals allowed), the losing player has to finish their drink.
- Own Goal: Accidentally score an own goal? That’s an immediate shot for the guilty player.
- Power Play: If one player is dominating and scores three goals in a row, the losing player enters a “power play,” where they take two drinks for every additional goal conceded until they score a goal themselves.
Is it free? No, you’ll need a table ice hockey game set, which can range from $30 to $150 depending on the quality and size.
If you don’t have an air hockey table or a table ice hockey game set, have you ever tried ‘Beer Hockey‘? You don’t need to buy a hockey game table—just grab a table and a coin, and you can enjoy the fun of the Beer Hockey drinking game. It’s one of my favorite ways to combine hockey excitement with some fast-paced fun. Learn how to play Beer Hockey, and let’s make our next hangout one to remember!
Hockey Drinking Card Game
14. The Last Leg Hockey Drinking Game: Cards and Challenges
This one’s for the fans who love a bit of unpredictability. “The Last Leg” involves each player drawing a card that dictates drinking actions based on what happens during the game—whether it’s goals, penalties, or shots on goal.
Examples:
- Card: “Drink every time your team’s coach argues with the ref.” Your coach is on fire tonight, and so is your drinking pace.
- Card: “Chug your drink when there’s a goal within the first minute of the period.” The puck drops, and seconds later, the siren blares—drink up!
Is it free? Not quite—you’ll need a deck of special cards, usually around $20.
15. Watch Hockey, Get Drunk: The Card Game for Die-Hard Fans
For those who crave a bit of chaos with their hockey, “Watch Hockey, Get Drunk” is your go-to. This game is all about drawing cards that dictate your drinking fate based on the live action—whether it’s goals, penalties, or a faceoff.
Examples:
- Card: “Take a sip every time a player is sent to the penalty box.” Your team’s racking up penalties tonight, and so are your drinks.
- Card: “Chug your drink if a fight breaks out.” The gloves drop, and so does your drink—bottoms up!
Is it free? Not exactly—you’ll need to grab the special deck, typically priced around $30.
In this guide, we’ll dive into 15 hockey drinking games that will have you and your friends cheering, laughing, and maybe even forgetting who’s winning. But remember, it’s all in good fun—so drink responsibly!
Unleash the Fun with 15 Epic Hockey Drinking Games!
And there you have it—15 hockey drinking games that promise to turn every match into an unforgettable party. Whether you’re watching NHL or live hockey, there are plenty of free games to keep the energy high, from sipping along with every goal to testing your trivia skills. For those who want to take the fun to the next level, hockey-themed games like Air Hockey, The Last Leg, and Watch Hockey, Get Drunk add a playful twist to the night. The real victory? Having a blast while staying responsible.