Russia's KHL is launching a unique new three-on-three tournament later this season.
The eight-team tournament will feature current KHL players on a smaller rink with adjusted rules. It will launch in December and run into next summer.
Some of the rule changes include:
- Games will be played on a rink that is 111 feet by 59 feet, which will only have a centre-ice faceoff dot and goalie creases painted on it.
- Each period will be seven minutes long with two-minute intermissions.
- Hitting and fighting is forbidden and all penalties called will result in a penalty shot. If the player doesn't score on the penalty shot, the puck will be live and the game will resume immediately.
- Faceoffs will only be held at the start of periods and after goals.
The schedule for the tournament will feature 24 rounds with each week representing one round. In each round, four teams will play two games each from Thursday to Sunday. The final game on Sunday will be known as the "Supergame" featuring the two best teams from that round. The winner of the "Supergame" will win a 1 million ruble (roughly $14,000 CAD) cash prize but the result will not count in the overall standings.
The top three teams in each division after the 24 rounds will advance to the playoffs, which includes a round-robin opening round, two semifinal games and a championship game on July 13.
The eight teams set to compete in the first edition of this new tournament are: Avangard, Barys, Metallurg, Salavat Yulaev, Ak Bars, Dinamo Minsk, Sibir and Traktor.
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