BCHL changing to NHL rules for tiebreaker

Shootouts to follow 3-on-3 overtime period starting next season

Ties are no more in the B.C. Hockey League. The BCHL has adopted National Hockey League rules for games that require more than 60 minutes of regulation time to settle the outcome.

Starting this coming season, games tied after three periods will go straight to a five-minute sudden-death, 3-on-3 overtime period, followed by a three-round shootout.

Previously, the BCHL played five minutes of 4-on-4 overtime, and, if that didn’t decide the game, five minutes of 3-on-3 overtime before declaring the result a tie.

“Teams have become so good defending the 4-on-4 overtime,” said Penticton Vees GM and coach Fred Harbinson. “Last season, we had 22 games end in ties.”

Harbinson said he isn’t a big fan of the shootout, but acknowledged it’s something new for the fans to look forward to.

“My thought was, if we went to 10 minutes of 3-on-3, I can’t imagine we’d have many games end in ties,” said Harbinson.

Harbinson said teams will have to allocate some time at practice to work on breakaways with the shootout in effect. “Those extra points, we’ve seen it in the NHL, are critical,” said Harbinson.

The new format was adopted at the BCHL’s annual general meeting last week in Vancouver.

The league also appointed a new commissioner to replace John Grisdale, who stepped down after a long and distinguished tenure.

Harbinson said the official announcement will be made in the next few days.

Another matter discussed at the meetings was what direction the league will go in respect to participation in the RBC Cup national Junior-A championship that is held annually in May.

The BCHL is committed to have its league champion playing at the 2019 RBC in Brooks, Alta., this coming season.

Harbinson said he will likely be part of a strategic committee that is being formed to determine the best course of action for the league in the future.

The complete BCHL schedule — with each of the 17 teams once again playing 58 games — is still being finalized. The regular season is slated to start on Friday, Sept. 7.

The West Kelowna Warriors will face the Vees in a pre-season home-and-home series.