Release from 21.09.2022

Statement of the AHL league organization regarding Empty Net Overtime rule

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Last weekend in the Alps Hockey League there were two situations where a team took their goalie off the ice in overtime and replaced him with a 4th field player. Since both teams subsequently lost, they were also deducted the point for the tie after 60 minutes. This rule has been ingrained in the Gamebook since the introduction of the 3vs3 Overtime rule.

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Taking the goalie off the ice in overtime and replacing him with a fourth field player has also been practiced by some coaches/clubs in the past. Both EHC Lustenau and EC Bregenzerwald opted for this approach last weekend, but were subsequently defeated by an empty-net goal.

Since the introduction of the 3vs3 overtime rule, the Alps Hockey League Gamebook already includes a paragraph that regulates exactly this scenario. Namely, if there is a loss, during an EN situation, the point for the tie after 60 minutes will also be deducted.

This rule has been firmly established in the Gamebook for several years and was originally adopted from the NHL rulebook. The purpose is to preserve attractive, fast and chance-filled 3vs3 OT play on both sides. It is also intended to prevent game manipulation and loss of integrity of the game.

Original excerpt from the gamebook:

D | Casebook

§ 10 Overtime Period

 (2) Overtime – Regular-season – Extra Attacker - A team shall be allowed to pull its goalkeeper in favor of an additional skater in the overtime period. However, should that team lose the game during the time in which the goalkeeper has been removed, it would forfeit the automatic point gained in the tie at the end of regulation play, except if the goalkeeper has been removed at the call of a delayed penalty against the other team. Should the goalkeeper proceed to his bench for an extra attacker due to a delayed penalty call against the opposing team, and should the non-offending team shoot the puck directly into their own goal, the game shall be over and the team that was to be penalized declared the winner. Once the goalkeeper has been removed for an extra attacker in overtime during the regular season, he must wait for the next stoppage of play before returning to his position. He cannot change “on the fly.” If he does, a bench minor penalty shall be assessed for having an ineligible player.