Big Ten adopts three-on-three hockey overtime format

Coming soon to a Big Ten hockey rink near you: Three-on-three overtime.

The Big Ten on Thursday announced that it has adopted three-on-three OT for the 2018-19 season, joining the NCHC and WCHA in using the format.

Here's how it will work:

* If the score is tied after regulation play, teams will play an NCAA-mandated five-on-five, sudden-death overtime period. Any game decided in regulation or the five-on-five OT period will be worth three points in the conference standings for the winner.

* If the score still is tied after five-on-five OT, the game will be considered a tie for NCAA tournament selection purposes and each team will receive a point in the conference standings. The teams then will play a five-minute, sudden-death, three-on-three OT period. If the game still is tied after the three-on-three OT, it will go to a shootout. The winner of the three-on-three OT or shootout will be awarded a second point in the conference standings.

In NCAA tournament play, the 20-minute, five-on-five, sudden-death overtime format still will be used.

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

Notes

* Motzko said freshman forward Blake McLaughlin will be out about six weeks because of an injury.

* Motzko named his captains for the season. Tyler Sheehy and Brent Gates Jr. will be captains, and Jack Ramsey and Darian Romanko will be assistant captains. All are senior forwards.

* Freshman forwards Sammy Walker and Sampo Ranta "are really off to a great start'' in practice, Motzko said.