NCHC Approves Use of Shootouts

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - The board of directors for the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference has unanimously approved the use of shootouts to break ties in conference games.

The shootouts involving three players from each team will be used if a game is still tied after the standard five-minute, sudden-death overtime period. The games will officially be recorded as ties for the record books and for NCAA tournament selection purposes, but the league will give an extra point in the NCHC standings to a team that wins a shootout.

League Commissioner Josh Fenton says the NHL-style shootouts will add excitement to games.

The NCHC includes Colorado College, Denver, Miami, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Western Michigan. It begins its inaugural season in October.