
I though today I would give a brief run down (if that even exists in NHL rules) of overtime or what we all affectionately refer to as OT. So here you go the
Top 5 "Hockey Talk with Courtney" Things to Know About Overtime!
1) Overtime lasts for only 5 minutes. Unlike a regular period that lasts 20 minutes, overtime is sudden death so next goal scored wins the prize and the extra point.
2) Unlike regulation hockey with 5 players on the ice plus a goaltender, overtime only has 4 players on the ice plus a goaltender. The theory on this is it "opens up the ice" for the players and possibly ends the period faster.
3) There is no 17 minute intermission between the end of the 3rd period and the start of OT. The players get a whooping 1 minute rest period before OT starts. They do not return to the locker room for a regroup and players who are in the penalty box at the end of the 3rd period are NOT allowed to return to their bench for the rest, they stay in the "sin bin"
4a) Let's talk penalties. All penalties in regulation play can still be called in OT. Clearly since it is a sudden death if a goal is scored by the team on the power play the player in the box doesn't just skate to the bench after the goal, he skates all the way to the locker room and apologizes to his team.
4b) The twist in penalties during overtime…..if the 3rd period ends with players from the same team in the penalty box and a 5 on 3 on the ice, overtime begins with that same players in the penalty box and the 5 on 3 still. The team at full strength (the team with 5 players) is not punished because they got the late power play in the 3rd period BUT if no goal is scored during the power play and the penalty expires then the teams return to overtime 4 on 4.
5) Possibly the most interesting rule while doing my research, again it comes done to goalies. At anytime during overtime a team can pull their goalie (although this is highly unlikely but still allowed) However if a team pulls their goalie and a goal is scored on the empty net the team with the empty net has to cough up the point they picked up at the end of the 3rd period. Remember that if the game is tied at the end of the 3rd period each team gets a point and then which ever team wins the OT or shootout gets the additional point. The loophole! Of course their is a loophole in this rule. The only time a team that pulls their goalie in OT shall not lose the point is when the goalie is pulled because of a delayed penalty. If a goalie is pulled during a delayed penalty call and his team scores on their own empty net then the game is over, the team with the delayed penalty coming is declared the winner and gets the additional point and the team with the pulled goalie still gets to keep their point. Make sense?
Bonus Rule 6) Teams DO NOT change ends to start overtime.
Hope that helps next time your favourite teams ends up playing OT. I know you are probably wondering why I didn't mention the shootout? While that is a whole other beast so later this week check back and I will give you my 5 tops things to know about the shootout.
And because I can, I have included Sidney Crosby's 250th career goal below. It was scored at the tail end of the 3rd period Friday, it was the game winning goal, it was a beauty of a goal and it kept the teams from heading into OT! Enjoy