Latest:

MiHockey

Your Hockey – Our Hockey – MiHockey

College Editor's picks For Coaches For Fans For Parents For Players Lake Superior State Lakers Slideshow The Latest 

WCHA announces changes to OT, points structure and nets

MiHockey Staff

WCHA

By @MichaelCaples –

Announced today, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is making some changes to its rulebook.

The league is officially introducing three-on-three overtime and a shootout (if necessary) for regular-season games, a three-point-per-game structure for WCHA standings and mandatory National Hockey League nets in all arenas.

“The WCHA is committed to evolving and adapting however possible to maximize the overall experience for our student-athletes, programs and fans,” said WCHA Men’s League Commissioner Bill Robertson in a release. “These initiatives will bring a new element of excitement to all areas of WCHA hockey, from opening up more space on the ice, to bringing resolution for each league game and adding another wrinkle to the always-thrilling races for home ice advantage and the MacNaughton Cup. It is a testament to our member institution administrators and coaches that, together, we brought forth positive changes that have proven to be successful, and are in line with what our fans and players want.”

Regular-season contests needing overtime will have a five-minute five-on-five overtime period, and then a five-minute three-on-three overtime period if necessary. If the game is still tied after those two overtime sessions, the teams will engage in a sudden-death shootout (each team will receive a minimum of one shot, and the second team gets to shoot to match if the first team scores).

For the points structure:

  • Game decided in regulation: three (3) points to winning team
  • Game decided in 5-on-5 overtime (five minutes, sudden death): three (3) points to winning team
  • Game decided in 3-on-3 overtime (five minutes, sudden death): two (2) points to winning team, one (1) point to losing team
  • Game decided in shootout (sudden death): two (2) points to winning team, one (1) point to losing team

For the nets, the WCHA member teams will all have to install the 40-inch goal frame that is standard in the NHL. In previous seasons, many WCHA arenas had 44-inch frames.

“These changes put the WCHA on par with the future of college hockey, along with the present format for the highest professional leagues,” said Damon Whitten, head coach at Lake Superior State and coaches’ chair for the WCHA Men’s League. “As coaches, we are ecstatic for the development of our student-athletes to expose them to the same conditions they will experience when playing at the next level. We’re also thrilled for our fans, as they will now get to go home each night with a winner for every game. We applaud the league for these important steps and look forward to a terrific season ahead.”