Earlier today, Bell Media has announced that 3ICE, a new hockey league which centers around 3 on 3 instead of 5 on 5, has signed TV deals with TSN and CBS Sports.
This new league centers around the principal on 3 on 3 hockey, popularized by the NHL a few seasons ago where they announced that all regular season overtime games will be 3 on 3 instead of 5 on 5. Some fans enjoy the format so much that they’re calling for getting rid of the shootout altogether, in favour of more 3 on 3 hockey action.
The proposed rules include, no penalties (instead penalty shots are awarded for each infraction), no breaks and no stoppages in play. In addition, instead of the normal twenty-minute, three period NHL game, 3ICE games will only be two, eight minutes halves. The league consists of 8 teams with a single elimination tournament. Teams consist of 1 coach, and 7 players each.
Games will take place in cities across Canada and the U.S. At this time, it is unclear which players or teams will be in on the 3 on 3 action. 3ICE is expected to start in June 2021.
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