Before the face-off at the beginning of the match, the four players on each team take on a diamond formation, with one member of each team taking one spot. After the face-off, the game begins. Depending on the period time, each period lasts 7, 10, or 15 minutes with an accelerated clock; at the end of the game, the team with the highest score wins. In the case of a tie, penalty shots are taken, and if there is a tie after that, one period of overtime is played without goalkeepers.

The basic rules of hockey are used in the game, but several rules have been changed. For instance, even though there is a center red line and two blue lines, the referee (who is invisible outside of faceoffs and penalties) will not call offsides or two-line passes, essentially making the game wide open. Icing is enforced, however. Also, the game consists of a 5v5 match, whereas traditional hockey is 6v6.

Other rules that are omitted are virtually all penalties; the game does not penalize players for any type of bodycheck or for scuffling. The only time a penalty is called is when a fight breaks out. Fights happen when two players scuffle for so long that the other teammates jump in and a brouhaha ensues. The players merge into a sort of violent pile, and periodically a player will be knocked out, only to rejoin as soon as he gets up. The fight continues for about five seconds before the referee breaks it up. The team that was more violent (in this case, knocked out more players from the opposing side) is penalized, although it's for a two-minute minor. In fights, it behooves the player to rapidly hit the buttons, as this causes more of his own players to be knocked out.

Teams cannot have more than two players in the penalty box at any given time. If the opposition scores a goal on the powerplay, as in real hockey, the penalized player returns to the ice.

Unlike real hockey, the goalie plays an extremely limited role. He is forced to remain inside the crease at all times, however he also is technically the fastest player on the ice, making it easier to save the puck. The player maintains control over the goalie at all times, even when controlling a skater, which forces the player to choose between defending and goaltending, depending on the situation. Unlike other players, the goalie cannot be scuffled with or checked, and will automatically check down any player that he touches. The goalie does not participate in fights.

Furthermore, the goalie is unable to freeze the puck when he holds onto it long enough. Instead, after five seconds, he automatically passes it out. The goalie cannot be changed out for an extra skater, either.

In between the 2nd and 3rd periods, the ice is resurfaced by a brief zamboni show.

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