Looks like there will be some changes to the game in the minors next season.
Today, the American Hockey League announced some notable rule changes that will be enforced for the 2014-15 season.
Rule changes include:
- Overtime periods will now be seven minutes in length, preceded by a “dry scrape” of the entire ice surface.
- Teams will change ends at the start of OT.
- Teams will play four-on-four until the first whistle following three minutes of overtime play (4:00 remaining); three-on-three hockey will follow for the rest of OT.
- A three-player shootout will determine a winner.
- An automatic game misconduct will be assigned to any player who has two major penalties for fighting, or three major penalties for any infractions, in the same game.
- A player who loses his helmet during play will be assessed a minor penalty unless he either exits the playing surface immediately or puts the helmet back on with the chin strap fastened.