Fixing 3-on-3 overtime

[tvp2003]

A couple of recent articles analyzing the current state of 3-on-3, which has become a boring display of puck possession and reluctance to take a chance, lest it result in a chance against:

https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/ins...hl-3-3-problem

So here are a couple of hopes and dreams for the revitalization of the 3-on-3 OT:

Install a play clock

This was an idea floated by Brian Burke back in 2019 -- such a sweet, innocent time before both the pandemic and the realization that overtime was boring. "The coaches have ruined it," he said.

So why not apply a shot clock like in basketball that mandates teams take an offensive chance within a certain period of time?

...

Pray for ingenuity

We've all wondered what the brilliant offensive players of the past would have done in the 3-on-3 overtime. Could you imagine Sergei Fedorov with that kind of open ice and the ingenuity he could bring?

It turns out that ingenuity extends to head coach Sergei Fedorov as well. He's in his first season behind the bench of CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League. On Dec. 2 against Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Fedorov's team had possession of the puck in the 3-on-3 overtime. He decided it was time to make it 4-on-3 -- pulling his goalie with about two minutes remaining in the extra session.

https://theathletic.com/3015585/2021...is-in-session/ (paywall)

So, proposed rule change: During 3-on-3 overtime, the offensive team may not intentionally pass or skate the puck out of the offensive zone. Make it like over-and-back in basketball — once you cross the blue line, you have to stay in. Maybe somebody would actually try to score instead of just trying to keep possession of the puck.

I’m sure coaches would eventually ruin it, but maybe we could be entertained again for a little while before they do. – Adrian S.

Gentille: This is brilliant and ridiculous...

When 3-on-3 first started, it was amazing. Now, it can be amazing, but the majority of time it isn't.

I always thought a great strategy was to cycle the puck, get the other guys tired, and then switch off your guys before the other team can switch off their guys (with the long change). Don't see that much anymore -- usually because teams don't want to lose possession and have all three guys stuck in the offensive zone. They'd prefer just to skate the puck out instead and keep possession.

[Coach]

Make 3v3 10 minutes. Take away the shootout. A tie results in no points for either team.

If there are no more points to play for beyond OT, someone has to end it in OT.

[Strange Brew]

So what happens if a team goes over and back or exceeds the shot clock? A face off? That is useless IMO.

I was for some of these changes but stopping the game is a problem. In basketball, the other team gets possession. Would you be prepared to do that in hockey?

[lazypucker]

Fix the point system first

[GranteedEV]

Over-and-back rule. Teams shouldn't be allowed to clear the offensive zone to reset

[topfiverecords]

Put those wooden boards in front of the net with the puck sized slot in the bottom they used to use in intermission contests. Both teams shoot pucks repeatedly from center ice. First team to get one in wins.

[Shazam]

Play with two pucks.

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Play with two pucks.

That would be hilarious!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

So what happens if a team goes over and back or exceeds the shot clock? A face off? That is useless IMO.

I was for some of these changes but stopping the game is a problem. In basketball, the other team gets possession. Would you be prepared to do that in hockey?

I think the best thing would be to have to turn the puck over, maybe to behind the goal line. But that would require a completely new signal system from refs, since a whistle stops play.

I suppose a more drastic method would be to call intentional over and back a delay of game. I mean, they call over the glass delay of game even when in intentional, so it’s not that wild a notion.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Play with two pucks.

Like a pin ball bonus round!

Or keep adding a puck every minute there is no goal.

[Bill Bumface]

3 points for a regulation win
2 points for an OT win
1 point for a SO win

[GioforPM]

No holds barred. No offside, no icing, no penalties. Do whatever you want to get the puck in.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

No holds barred. No offside, no icing, no penalties. Do whatever you want to get the puck in.

This is the best suggestion. This way you could put all your players on the ice.

[Nonothinman]

What if OT was not sudden death? Play 5 mins regardless. This would mean a team would want to score first and then if they did the team that’s behind would have to open it up to try and tie it… if it’s still tied after the 5 mins… shootout.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Shazam

This is the best suggestion. This way you could put all your players on the ice.

There’s a sport I watched in Florence Italy that was basically this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcio_Fiorentino

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

There’s a sport I watched in Florence Italy that was basically this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcio_Fiorentino

Put both goalies out, they can take the net off its moorings and just skate around with the net.

[tvp2003]

Okay, so we've got multiple pucks, no rules, and optional/moveable nets. I'd totally watch.

Well done CP. Well done

[1_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Nonothinman

What if OT was not sudden death? Play 5 mins regardless. This would mean a team would want to score first and then if they did the team that’s behind would have to open it up to try and tie it… if it’s still tied after the 5 mins… shootout.

This would never happen but it's an awesome suggestion. Like a last goal wins scenario. Would be totally fun to watch. When 3 on 3 first started it was so fun and exciting but the coaches ruined all that.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think the best thing would be to have to turn the puck over, maybe to behind the goal line. But that would require a completely new signal system from refs, since a whistle stops play.

I suppose a more drastic method would be to call intentional over and back a delay of game. I mean, they call over the glass delay of game even when in intentional, so it’s not that wild a notion.

Yeah that's the way to do it. It's not very "hockey like" but I'd like to see how it looks in practise.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Yeah that's the way to do it. It's not very "hockey like" but I'd like to see how it looks in practise.

They've done it in the CFL and college football overtime with the "mini-game" format. Basically each team gets a "possession", eliminating kickoffs and punting. It's still "football", and it's still quite entertaining IMO.

3-on-3 is very "pond hockey" in nature anyways, so perhaps something akin to delayed offside (where the other team can't enter the zone or touch the puck) would work.