In Russia, they are testing a new rule that would bring a great deal of revival to hockey matches. The novelty from the Russian ice attracted the attention of the hockey world so much that voices are being heard overseas after its introduction in the NHL. The change has not yet been properly tested in practice.
Photo: Profimedia
The new rule from the Russian ice attracted attention overseas.
In 2015, the NHL decided to take a revolutionary step, replacing the overtime with four players on each side with a three-on-three format.
The impact on the game was immediate. The hockey players rushed to attack and the spectators saw one chance after another. More often happened in extra time than in the entire regular game. The news quickly spread throughout the world.
But that was in 2015, the current three-on-three overtime looks different. He is often as wild as in his early days, but he becomes more and more tactical, charging back into his own defensive zone. The offensive attractiveness of years ago has disappeared.
In Russia during the next season, they will test a rule that should restore a more intense, offensive and entertaining hockey for the spectators.
The junior version of the KHL will be the first to put the innovation into practice. What is it about? If the attacking player crosses the red line with the puck in overtime, he cannot return to his own half.
If this happens, the throw-in will be in the defensive zone of the player who violated the rule. If the new rule is violated more than once, a two-minute penalty will follow.
The novelty will thus make impossible the usual procedure in which players with the puck leave the offensive zone so that their teammates can better line up or take turns.
The news resonated throughout the hockey world, including overseas, where the best hockey competition in the world is played.
“The NHL must pay attention to this change. If she wants to improve the quality of overtimes, she should introduce a similar rule as soon as possible,” said respected journalist Adam Proteau from The Hockey News website.
“There will be more offensive actions. When the rest of the hockey world sees how effective the changes are for players and fans, they could be extended to other competitions as well,” added the overseas expert.
The new rule could also mean fewer games decided by individual runs. That is, a discipline that even the players themselves often want to avoid.
This is also proven by a survey of the prestigious website The Athletic from last year. The addressed hockey players voted 12:4 in favor of playing a longer, ten-minute overtime instead of raids.
“The best hockey leagues in the world should learn from each other,” urged Proteau. But time will tell if they will really be inspired by the Russian news overseas. The NHL is more conservative, planning to introduce only four minor changes by the new season.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
