Gophers women’s hockey Brad Frost was happy when the WCHA announced on Thursday that it will use shootouts to break ties in conference games this season.

The NCAA gave conference that option recently and WCHA women’s coaches unanimously backed a one-year trial.

“Looking at the NHL, college hockey has adoped some NHL rules,” Frost said, “and shootouts specifically have been a hot topic of discussion. Since the NCAA has allowed leagues to try it, we figured we would go ahead and do it and set the standard.

“As of right now, it’s a one-year trial period.”

Frost said the change will effect how he coaches only slightly. “We always have breakaway competition,” he said, “but throught the week of practice we will put more emphasis on it now.”

So which teams will have the edge in shootouts? “Obviously teams with real strong goalies and teams with some creative shooters,” Frost said. “It will not matter if a team is in first or last place, once you get to a shootout, it is one shooter and a goalie.”

The Gophers open practice on Saturday, Sept. 20 and quickly get a test. On Sunday, Sept. 28, they will face the U.S. national women’s team at 2 p.m. at Ridder Arena. That’s basically the same team that will represent the USA in the next Winter Olympics.

An added twist to that game will be Natalie Darwitz’s role. The former Gopher was recently named one of Frost’s assistants. She also plays for the national team.

“There had not been any trash-talking yet about the game, but I am sure there will be some,” Frost said.

A couple more things about WCHA shootouts in women’s hockey:

* Each team will name three shooters to participate in them.

* Teams still tied after overtime will be awarded one point in the WCHA standings. The shootout winner will get one more point.

* For the Pairwise rankings, which largely determine which 16 teams make the NCAA tournament field, games that are tied after overtime will be counted as ties. Winning or losing a shootout will not help or hurt a team.

* Only the CCHA will be trying shootouts in men’s hockey. 

That last statement is a shame. After watching the Gophers men’s hockey team tie one game after another last season, I think something has to change. I like trying shootouts. Maybe the women in the WCHA will lead the way on this issue. Hope so.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 2:53 pm and is filed under All. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.