Most college sports have some form of post-season where teams play against each other to determine who is truly the best. Among college hockey teams, the period between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs is considered “overtime.” During this time, teams can practice, rehab, and prepare for the rigors of the postseason. Let’s take a closer look at how this part of the season works and some of the idiosyncrasies that you should know about.
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When Does Overtime Start And End?
The start of the overtimes season varies from year to year, but most leagues follow a traditional schedule where teams play about 20 games each semester (about 40 games total). Many college hockey seasons begin in mid-October and end in early April, which means that the regular season ends around the end of March. During this time, teams have a “recrutation” or “break” where they are not allowed to play, which allows them to get some needed rest and practice for the postseason. Some leagues allow teams to continue playing in a couple of exhibition games towards the end of March, but they still have to give it their all in the remaining games during the season.
Who Decides The Winner Of The Regular Season?
The head coach of each team in the NCAA decides which team is the better, which is based on a combination of regular season results and competition. If two teams are tied, the team with the better goal differential in wins is decided by calculating the ratio of total goals scored to total goals allowed. If there is still a tie, the head-to-head competition decides the ultimate winner. There are several methods of deciding a winner when regular season results are tied. It could be by total points, by goals scored, or by some other method as long as it is not by head-to-head competition.
What Is The Regular Season Like?
Just like the name would suggest, the regular season is the regular part of the hockey season where teams play each other multiple times. During this time, teams do not have to worry about playoffs as the focus is on winning as many games as possible. As a result, the standings at the end of the regular season are usually very fluid and can change quickly as teams can lose one game and put themselves right back in the race. Due to the short season and the number of games, players and coaches usually work very hard during this time in order to gain some momentum going into the playoffs.
Who Benefits From Fewer Games?
In some leagues, the number of games is limited, which means that the end of the regular season is sooner than in others. If there is a possibility of the season being canceled due to lack of participation, teams that end up playing fewer games get an advantage in the form of more rest and a better chance of making the playoffs. Teams that end up with more games have a disadvantage as they have to play while fatigued and will have less time to prepare for the playoffs.
Who Wins The Most Regular Season Games?
The ultimate prize for most regular season games is usually decided by comparing the number of wins between the participating teams. If there is a tie, it is usually broken by comparing goals scored or allowed, or by calculating the goal differential. The team that ends up winning the prize is the team with the most victories at the end of the season.
What Is The Post-Season Like?
When the regular season comes to an end, teams that remain qualified for the postseason (based on winning percentage) begin competing for a spot in the championship game of their respective leagues. This is known as the post-season and it is where teams play for the right to be named the best in the league. After the qualifying round, teams are seeded based on their regular season standings and receive a bye in the quarterfinals if they are already qualified for the semifinals. Teams that reach the semifinals play each other for the right to go to the finals, while the winner of the finals wins the championship title. Depending on the size of the league, there can be several rounds of playoffs followed by the championship game.
These are the basics of how the college hockey season works. This period between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs is considered “overtime,” which is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, college hockey players get some well-deserved rest and a chance to prepare for the biggest moment of their career. On the other hand, as the season draws closer to its end, the anxiety and tension among the players and fans increases as they know that the postseason is just around the corner.
To get some well-deserved rest, all college hockey players and coaches alike look forward to the “bye week” that occurs after the end of the regular season. During this time, coaches can focus on preparing their teams for the postseason while players can get some much-needed sleep and relaxation. Just remember to be back in fighting form for the start of the playoffs, which is when the real competition begins.