Good News for Shootout Dislikers?

[Vulcan]

The AHLs new OT format of three minutes of 4 on 4 and than 3 on 3 for four minutes is getting rid of the shootout.

It already does in the American Hockey League, which is serving as a guinea pig this season for a new overtime format aimed at ending more games before the shootout.
And it’s working. After 171 games, there have been only five shootouts in the AHL this year. The new rule, which has teams play 4-on-4 for three minutes and then 3-on-3 for another four minutes, has essentially made the skills competition what it should be: an absolute last resort.
Instead of 15 per cent of games being decided by breakaway trick shots and addled goalies, as is the case in the NHL, less than 3 per cent are now going the distance in the minors.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle21516285/

[GioforPM]

Gaudreau, Hudler and Monahan FTW

[AC]

That's great, love this tweak to OT.

[GioforPM]

No wait. Gaudreau, Monahan, Gio; Granlund, Hudler, Brodie.

Or Brodano for the full 4 minutes plus a rotation of the above fwds.

[Dagger]

What exactly is wrong with a draw again?

[DownhillGoat]

Would prefer to see an even split of 5 (or 4) minutes, but that's a huge step up IMO.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Dagger

What exactly is wrong with a draw again?

I agree but I think that idea is gone, the modern audience will call "boring".
After OT, if less than 3% of games are decided by the shootout, just get rid of it and call it a draw.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Dagger

What exactly is wrong with a draw again?

If I'm gonna spend $100+ a night to watch a GAME, I want to see someone WIN.

The NHL made the right decision to move to the SO. This new OT tweak is an even better step in the right direction.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Would prefer to see an even split of 5 (or 4) minutes, but that's a huge step up IMO.

I'd like 4-4 for 5 minutes, 3-3 for 5 minutes, then shootout. OT is the most exciting part of the game so I'm ok with it being a few minutes longer. This way it would make the shootout so rare, that it would be actually exciting again.

[nfotiu]

The OTL is far more offensive and detrimental to the game than the shootout. Just get rid of that, then there will be no incentive to go to OT and less games will go to OT and less games will go to a shoot out.

[Caged Great]

The standings should be 2 points for a regulation, OT or Shootout win, 0 points for a loss period. Shootout and OT losses become the tie breaker.

[Mister Yamoto]

OT is funny in the way that everybody has a slightly different opinion of how to do it.

I say leave it how it is, get rid of the loser point.

[JoelOtto29]

Originally Posted by Tyler

If I'm gonna spend $100+ a night to watch a GAME, I want to see someone WIN.

I really don't understand this impulse. I don't see how going to the skills comp adds anything of value over a hard fought game ending in a tie.

[Displaced Flames fan]

3 on 3 is every bit as gimmicky as the shootout. How about 4 on 4 til somebody wins?

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by JoelOtto29

I really don't understand this impulse. I don't see how going to the skills comp adds anything of value over a hard fought game ending in a tie.

Well, you get that hard fought game that ends in a tie. And then..........skills comp. (added value)

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

3 on 3 is every bit as gimmicky as the shootout. How about 4 on 4 til somebody wins?

On back to back games that could get physically taxing.

[united]

I hope they implement something to that regard AND make it so all games end with the same number of points being handed out. Whether every game results in two points or three points I don't have a preference, just make them all the same.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

3 on 3 is every bit as gimmicky as the shootout. How about 4 on 4 til somebody wins?

It is a gimmick, but at least 3 on 3 still represents an approximation of the team game of hockey. I would vastly prefer it as at least another layer to prevent the abomination that is the shootout, but the ultimate solution would be to accept the truth that ties aren't bad.

Also, the AHL isn't really teaching us anything here. Several junior A leagues, including the AJHL, have gone to 3 on 3 for years. Very few games ended up tied or in a shootout.

[Yamer]

Having watched the 3 on 3 format in the CIS over the last couple of years I have to say I would totally be in favor of this.

That is some incredibly entertaining hockey.

[ComixZone]

10 Mins of 4v4, followed by a tie where the teams split the 2 points.

No loser point awarded in OT.

That'd be beautiful.