Final answer:
The statement is false because the Zamboni cleans the ice during intermissions after each period, not every 20 minutes during game play.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'After every 20 minutes of hockey play, the Zamboni cleans the ice' is False. In a professional hockey game, such as those in the National Hockey League (NHL), the Zamboni cleans the ice during intermissions, which occur after each period of play. A standard game consists of three 20-minute periods, so the ice is typically cleaned after the first and second periods, corresponding with the intermission times. Given that most youth and amateur league games follow the same format, it is not accurate to say that the Zamboni cleans the ice every 20 minutes during play. The cleaning happens after the periods have ended, and play is paused.