AHL makes changes to overtime, fighting and helmet rules

[sureLoss]

AHL is usually a test bed for potential NHL rule changes.

http://theahl.com/ahl-board-approves...nges-p192792\\

Rule 85 (“Overtime”)
During the regular season, the sudden-death overtime period will be seven minutes (7:00) in length, preceded by a “dry scrape” of the entire ice surface.

Teams will change ends at the start of overtime.

Full playing strength will be 4-on-4 until the first whistle following three minutes of play (4:00 remaining), at which time full strength will be reduced to 3-on-3 for the duration of the overtime period.

If the game is still tied following overtime, a winner will be determined by a three-player shootout.

Rule 20.4 (“Major Penalties”)
An automatic game misconduct will be applied to any player who has been assessed two major penalties for fighting or three major penalties for any infraction in the same game.

Rule 9.6 (“Helmets”)
A player on the ice whose helmet comes off during play will be assessed a minor penalty unless he immediately (a) exits the playing surface or (b) puts the helmet back on with the chin strap properly fastened.

[Finger Cookin]

I'm genuinely surprised 9.6 and 20.4 aren't already on the books. The OT seems gimmicky, but I suppose changes to OT will always seem that way at first.

[flamesfan55]

The overtime one seems dumb to me. The whole 3 on 3 thing following the first whistle after 3 minutes seems like something I would have done while playing street hockey.

[PeteMoss]

Fighting rule is really a nothing thing if they brought it into the NHL. How often do you see someone fight twice in a game these days.

The helmet rule makes sense (I will assume it excludes fights unless they helmet is removed on purpose by the player)

[GreenLantern]

I don't mind the 3 on 3, I have visions of Johnny Hockey busting down the wing taking a clean pass from Gio with an open sheet of ice in front of him and get giddy as a school girl.

The Dome is about to get its money worth in one play.

[Finger Cookin]

Hopefully the helmet rule applies especially to fights, regardless of how the helmet is removed or who removes it.

[Northendzone]

if 9.6 had been in effect in 2004 we would not have had this

[Resolute 14]

We wouldn't have had that, but we also wouldn't have Todd Bertuzzi and his embarrassingly useless helmet.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

The helmet rule makes sense (I will assume it excludes fights unless they helmet is removed on purpose by the player)

I don't think they would specifically make that exception, although practically by the time the helmet comes off play has already been whistled down so it doesn't really matter.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I don't think they would specifically make that exception, although practically by the time the helmet comes off play has already been whistled down so it doesn't really matter.

Fair point about the play being over. Would be insult to injury to get an extra minor penalty for having a player punch your helmet off.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Believe it or not, rule 20.4 would actually help the Flames with Burke's philosophy of always dressing 2 goons. Mcgrattan and Bollig can share the load so neither get kicked out of games.

[Sylvanfan]

When I first saw this thread I thought it said AHL changes flight times to save money...

Three majors of the same in a game...when would that happen, usually if a player gets a major for a non fighting incident, they often get a game misconduct to go with it.

[Coach]

Don't really like OT, but it will probably mean more will end that way vs the shootout. I'd rather see 10 minutes of 4-4. I feel like most games would get solved before the end. Maybe they could switch to 3 at 5 minutes if they wanted.

[Roof-Daddy]

I don't mind the OT changes. That extra 2 minutes, plus the 3 on 3 part will eliminate many shoot outs IMO, and then on top of that I'm glad they got rid of the 5 player breakaway relay. It was tedious at best.

[SuperMatt18]

I just don't like the after the first whistle aspect, hate when there are inconsistencies like that.

Just go 5 minutes of 4 on 4 and 5 minutes of 3 on 3.

What negative aspect is there to the extra 3 minutes.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I just don't like the after the first whistle aspect, hate when there are inconsistencies like that.

Just go 5 minutes of 4 on 4 and 5 minutes of 3 on 3.

What negative aspect is there to the extra 3 minutes.

I would prefer this format as well. They use it in CIS and it is both incredibly entertaining and effective.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Three majors of the same in a game...when would that happen, usually if a player gets a major for a non fighting incident, they often get a game misconduct to go with it.

The strange thing about this is that it already exists in the NHL. Rule 20.4.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Yamer

I would prefer this format as well. They use it in CIS and it is both incredibly entertaining and effective.

Yup 10x better than deciding games with a shootout - at least the core of the contest is still the same.

[EldrickOnIce]

I expect penalty during 3-3 would likely result in penalty shot (like it does in other leagues that go to 3-3)?

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Don't really like OT, but it will probably mean more will end that way vs the shootout. I'd rather see 10 minutes of 4-4. I feel like most games would get solved before the end. Maybe they could switch to 3 at 5 minutes if they wanted.

I would actually go the other way. I'm not a fan of the 4v4 OT that we have now and I dislike the 3v3 even more.

May as well skip the progression and get to the 1v1 immediately (shootout) immediately. I am not a big fan of the shootout either but I think a best of 7 shootout would be more entertaining than a hybrid 4v4/3v3 overtime.