New Format Set for the Postseason

BOSTON, MA -- The Eastern Hockey League is pleased to announce a new playoff format for the 19U Elite Division.

19U ELITE PLAYOFF FORMAT

• Top six teams in each conference advance to the playoffs.
• Top two teams in each conference receive a first round bye.
• Remaining four teams play a single elimination matchup at the home of the higher seed (3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5).
• Following the first round, each conference will re-seed 1-4 and compete in a Round Robin at a central location (separate locations for North and South).

Round Robin Overtime Procedure

If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the EHL regular season overtime procedure will be applied. Each team shall be awarded one (1) point in the standings for the game reaching overtime. If no goal is scored in sudden death overtime, a shootout will take place per the EHL regular season rules. The winning team will be awarded a bonus point for the victory, in addition to the point they already earned for the game going to overtime.

Note: During the overtime period a team may pull its goaltender in favor of an additional skater. However, should a team lose the game during the time in which their goaltender has been removed from the ice, it forfeits the automatic point gained from the game being tied at the end of the 3rd period. **EXCEPTION** - The goaltender has been removed during a delayed penalty signaled against their opponent.

THE WINNER OF EACH ROUND ROBIN WILL ADVANCE TO THE 19U ELITE DIVISION FINALS.

Round Robin Standings Tiebreaker Criteria

If two or more teams are tied, their position in the standings shall be determined as follows. Only games between the tied teams will be considered in the tie-breaking criteria:

1. HEAD TO HEAD: In head to head competition if one team beats all other teams involved in the tie, that team advances to the finals.
2. GOAL DIFFERENTIAL: Goal differential will be determined by subtracting goals against from goals scored in the games between tied teams. The team with the highest goal differential will advance. After calculations, if two teams are still tied revert back to #1. If there are still 3 teams tied see #3.
3. QUOTIENT: Quotient will be determined by dividing goals for by goals against in the games between tied teams. The team with the greatest quotient will advance.
   
   Example :::
   - Team A total goals for is 5. Team B total goals for is 4. Team C total goals for is 7.
   
   - Total goals against for each of the three teams is 16.
   
   - Team A = 5/16 = 0.3125
   - Team B = 4/16 = 0.25
   - Team C = 7/16 = 0.4375
   
   - Team C will advance with the highest quotient.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS WILL FACE-OFF FOR THE LEAGUE TITLE IN A CENTRAL LOCATION.

• Two-day, two-game series.
• Tiebreaker
  • 20-minute "mini game"
  • 3 on 3 sudden death overtime (5 minutes)
  • Goal differential from the two-game series.
  • Shootout

PREMIER DIVISION PLAYOFF FORMAT WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.