NCAA hockey overtime proposal modified; conferences would now have two options if game tied after first OT

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee has voted to alter its overtime proposals after receiving membership feedback.In the new proposal, conferences may elect to use one of two alternative formats to award points in their standings after the mandatory five-on-five, five-minute overtime period.All proposals will be considered by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Wednesday before they can become effective.“The process has always allowed for reconsideration,” said committee chair and Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna in a statement. “The membership was given the chance to comment after our initial work was made public. The committee had the benefit of time to consider all ramifications of its work. In short, the system worked.”The rules committee voted to authorize conferences to use either a five-minute, three-on-three overtime period and a shootout or only a shootout to award additional conference points. In both scenarios, a traditional five-minute overtime must be played before the conference option is available. During nonconference games, these alternative options are not permitted, and a game would end in a tie after the traditional five-minute overtime.The original proposal allowed conferences to use only the five-minute, five-on-five overtime period for in-season games, except for tournaments that require a winner to be determined for advancement.The committee also adjusted its proposal regarding regular-season tournaments that require advancement. If the 20-minute sudden death format is selected for overtime, a five-minute overtime period will not be required. These tournaments may use the three-on-three and shootout or the standalone shootout format.