OHL introducing three-on-three overtime
New rule changes this season mimic what the NHL is doing
Peterborough Petes fans are going to notice a few changes the OHL has made to its on-ice product this season.
The OHL recently unveiled four rule changes with three fairly significant alterations including three-on-three overtime, no line changes for the defensive team on icing calls and video review extended to off-sides when goals are scored. The rule changes mimic what the NHL is doing and bring consistency to all three Canadian Hockey League branches – the OHL, WHL and QMJHL – rules.
They took effect at the beginning of the pre-season. The Petes conclude their pre-season with a home game at 7 p.m. Thursday against the Hamilton Bulldogs and a visit to the Guelph Storm on Friday.
Petes head coach Jody Hull said the icing rule is the most impactful. It’s a hybrid in that teams can change if they are doing so on the fly and ice the puck within the neutral zone. Any icing within the defensive zone will require the defending team’s players to remain on the ice.
“If your fourth line gets stuck in the zone and they have to ice it within your zone,” Hull said, “the opposition get an opportunity to get their top line out against them. That’s a bit of a strategic thing because it is a two-way street.”
Hull doesn’t mind the change even if it will pose a challenge.
“We’re a development league preparing guys to get to the next level,” he said. “The sooner players can adapt to situations played at the next levels the better they are going to be as hockey players. What it will do is force guys to actually make plays instead of just bumping it out of your zone.”
Hull likes the idea of reducing four-on-four overtime to threeon-three with the intent of deciding more games without the need for a shootout. A team will never go below three players on the ice so in cases of overtime penalties teams will play four-on-three or five-on-three as needed.
“It’s definitely going to be exciting,” Hull said. “There will be more pond hockey going on because it will create a lot of two-on-ones and breakaways. People like to see the action. As much as the shootout is entertaining I think the opportunity to finish it off in overtime just adds some greater excitement.”
While Hull said there aren’t a lot of off-sides missed by officials on goals it’s better to get it right. It will be the video goal judge’s call on whether a play needs reviewing.
“I think they’re trying to do everything in their power to eliminate mistakes and make it an even playing field,” Hull said.
There is also a tweak to faceoff protocol. Instead of the visiting centre always putting his stick on the ice first, now the defending team is required to do so first. The home team still gets the advantage during centre ice faceoffs.
“I don’t think it impacts too much,” Hull said. “It gives the offence the opportunity to have a little bit more control of what is happening at draws as opposed to the home team. I don’t think a lot will come of it. For me, it’s just a matter of continuing to practice and develop guys’ strengths at the faceoff circle.”
NOTES: Six Petes have been invited to NHL main training camps after participating in rookie tournaments. Eric Cornel (Buffalo), Kyle Jenkins (Carolina), Steve Lorentz (Carolina), Matt Mancina (Detroit), Dominik Masin (Tampa) and Matt Spencer (Tampa) are all at main camps.... Cameron Lizotte (Toronto) returned to the Petes on Monday.