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B.C. Hockey League to extend overtime to 10 minutes

The move is meant to lessen the number of games that go into shootouts.
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The Victoria Grizzlies' Luc Pelletier, right, hits Port Alberni Bulldog Ethan Bono during a BCHL playoff game at the Q Centre in Colwood on April 5, 2023. The league will introduce a longer overtime period starting next season. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST

The B.C. Hockey League announced it will play a 10-minute, three-on-three overtime period beginning next season, up from the current five minutes, if regulation time ends in a tie.

The move is to lessen the number of games that go into shootouts. If a game is still tied after 10 minutes, a shootout will occur. Under the previous five-minute overtime format, 41.5 per cent of overtime games went to shootout.

That was part of a number of changes to come out of the Junior A league’s annual general meeting held this week. The BCHL is going independent next season and outside the Hockey Canada umbrella.

It was also announced BCHL teams will have a maximum of 25 active roster spots, plus an additional card if a team chooses to have a third goaltender.

A minimum of five players will have to be from B.C. on the 17 teams based in this province. Teams can dress a maximum of 19 players and two goalies for a game.

Training camps open Sept 1.