Deep Blue Sea: 3-on-3 comes to the Big Ten

The NHL adopted 3-on-3 overtime back in 2015, to mixed reviews. The most notable benefit is that play outside of regulation doesn’t last very long in this format. The open ice gives more opportunity for scoring and a faster pace of play, making the whole affair pretty tidy in that five minute period. This also leads to fewer shootouts, which is great from a marketing perspective

But most of the players seem to view it as a gimmick, especially after the All Star game adopted the 3-on-3 format. Goaltenders across the board aren’t fans, but skaters have also spoken up. For example, Dustin Byfuglien told this to the Winnipeg Free Press:

“It’s terrible. It’s a terrible part of hockey. It’s not hockey,” Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien said this morning after his team lost 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning here Friday night.

”It ain’t hockey. It’s ‘Just let the kids play.’ It’s stupid.

”Just keep it four-on-four, five-on-five. Let’s just play hockey.”

But for fans, it’s entertainment. It’s chaotic and quick and likely won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Especially since it has found footing in lower leagues and now, the NCAA, where the Big Ten will be adopting the 3-on-3 format during the season (tournament play will still have a 20 minute, 5-on-5 overtime sudden death period).

Gophers coach Bob Motzko, speaking on the Big Ten teleconference, was happy with the change.

“The biggest thing with three-on-three: They players love it and the fans really enjoy it,’’ said Motzko, who had experience with the format when he was St. Cloud State’s coach in the NCHC. “… I love the fact that it’s in our league and I really like the fact that we’ve got three leagues in the west all using it.’’

Maybe younger players have come around on it — or maybe we all just hate shootouts that much.

News & Notes

• Big Ten adopts three-on-three hockey overtime format
• Despite two trades, the Karlsson harassment case isn’t quite over: Court rules Melinda Karlsson doesn’t have to disclose cyberbullying evidence
• I think this was supposed to ease worry about the new back up in Edmonton, but woof. It looks rough. Oilers backup Koskinen out to prove he’s not another KHL bust
• International play and the impending lock out are tied together: The NHL seems to have forgotten the international game
• As goalies get bigger, their equipment gets smaller: NHL goalie equipment continues to shrink, premium on scoring
• How bad are we feeling, hockey fans? ESPN continues to get literally everything about the NHL wrong: Sports Misery Index: How miserable is each NHL fan base?
• Toronto’s new GM is a breath of fresh air in a stagnant league: Up close and personal with Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas
• The Barracuda started their preseason with a bang last night: BARRACUDA EDGE EAGLES 5-3 IN PRESEASON TUNE UP/

Scores & Recaps

• Pittsburgh Penguins 6, Columbus Blue Jackets 7 [Pensburgh gamethread, The Cannon recap]
• Carolina Hurricanes 5, Washington Capitals 4 (OT) [Canes Country recap, Japers’ Rink]
• Detroit Red Wings 2, Toronto Maple Leafs 6 [Winging It In Motown, Pension Plan Puppets recap]
• Dallas Stars 1, St. Louis Blues 3 [Defending Big D, St. Louis Game Time gamethread]
• Minnesota Wild 3, Colorado Avalanche 4 (OT) [Hockey Wilderness, Mile High Hockey recap]
• Buffalo Sabres 5, New York Islanders 4 [Die By The Blade recap, Lighthouse Hockey]
• Los Angeles Kings 0, Vegas Golden Knights 2 [Jewels From The Crown, Knights on Ice recap]/