ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced on Thursday morning a change to its men's hockey overtime protocol and conference points system for the 2018-19 season, including the addition of a 3-on-3 overtime period.
The 3-on-3 overtime period has been made popular the last few seasons by the National Hockey League and other college hockey conferences such as the NCHC and WCHA.
Any regular season Big Ten Conference game that is tied after regulation will play the NCAA-mandated five-minute, 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime period. If the game remains tied, the two teams will then play a five-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime period. If the game is still tied following both overtime periods, then the game will move to a sudden-death shootout. Non-conference games other than certain in-season tournaments will conclude following the 5-on-5 overtime period. Postseason games will continue to feature 20-minute 5-on-5 overtime periods as in the past.
Teams will be awarded three points in the conference standings for a win in regulation or the 5-on-5 overtime period. If the game is tied following the 5-on-5 overtime, both teams will receive one point, with a second point being awarded to the team that wins in either the 3-on-3 overtime period or the shootout.
No. 16 Penn State opens the 2018-19 season when they host No. 17 Clarkson on Thursday, October 11 and Friday, October 12 inside Pegula Ice Arena. The Nittany Lions first Big Ten tilt will take place on Friday, November 16 when the No. 4 ranked Michigan Wolverines visit Hockey Valley.
FULL BIG TEN RELEASE
