Release from 27.01.2021

Setting schedule for the intermediate round

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With 26 matches remaining, the first phase of  the regular season of the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League will be completed by February 7, 2021. The start of the subsequent Pick and Qualification Round has now been moved forward to the originally scheduled international break.

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Less than a week ago, the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation, after consultation with bet-at-home ICE Hockey League, decided not to use the national team break in February and to cancel the planned Austria Cup. As the other participating countries in the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League also decided not to take part in national team action, a new schedule was drawn up for the remaining parts of the season. Following the recommendation of the League Sports Committee, it was decided to bring forward the start of the intermediate round to the originally planned IIHF break. This will allow for more game-free days for each team as well as maintain a pace of play. It also provides further leeway should a Covid 19-related postponement become necessary again for one or more teams.
 
Knowing that each team has had a more intense than normal game schedule since play resumed on November 8, it was set to have a minimum four-day break in play for all teams after the final game day of the first round robin stage on February 7, 2021.
 
Bonus point allocation for the intermediate round
The teams in sixth to eleventh place will already start the race for the last three playoff tickets on Friday, February 12. Bonus points will be awarded in descending order of 8-6-4-2-1-0.
 
The top five qualify early for the quarterfinals and then play for the pick rights and home advantage for the playoffs in the Pick Round (round-robin) from Feb. 13 to March 7. Bonus points will be awarded in descending order at 4-2-1-0-0.
Ranking after the first 44 rounds will still determine if two or more teams end up tied for points in the Pick or Qualifying Round.
 
The current schedule for the Pick and Qualification Round is subject to any changes required by COVID19.
 
Playoff dates will be announced at a later date.
 
No change in qualification criteria for the Champions Hockey League
The bet-at-home ICE Hockey League will again have three starting spots for the Champions Hockey League in the 2021/22 season. The qualification criteria are identical to those from previous years. The three starting spots will be awarded on the basis of the performances in the current season as follows:
  • Winners of the basic round phase one (after 44 rounds).
  • Winner of the pick round (if a team wins both the basic round phase one and the pick round, the runner-up from the pick round qualifies for the CHL)
  • Champion of the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League
    • If the champion already has a ticket, the runner-up from the pick round qualifies for the CHL.
    • If this team also has a ticket, the team that lost in the finals qualifies.
    • If these are the same teams, the semifinalist who is ranked higher after the intermediate round will get the ticket. 
>> Find the full setting schedule here