Elimination Games No Longer Governed by Shootouts Under New Format for 2026/27 Season

    <p>The Motorpoint Elite League Board has agreed to eliminate shootouts from elimination matches beginning with the 2026/27 season.</p>
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p   In the Challenge Cup Elimination Match, Challenge Cup Semi-Finals (Second leg), Motorpoint Playoff Quarter-Finals (Second leg) and Motorpoint Playoff Semi-Finals, tied games will no longer be decided by 3-on-3 overtime followed by a shootout.</p>
p   Instead, when overtime becomes necessary, teams will first complete a full 20‑minute set of 5‑on‑5 sudden‑death overtime after a complete intermission. Should no winner emerge after a second intermission, the contest continues with uninterrupted 3‑on‑3 sudden‑death overtime rounds until a victor is found.</p>
p   The format for the Challenge Cup Final and Motorpoint Playoff Final remains unchanged, featuring continuous 5‑on‑5 sudden‑death overtime intervals until a decisive outcome is reached.</p>
p   The regular season in the Motorpoint Elite League and the Challenge Cup group stage will continue to employ overtime and shootouts, should they be required.</p>
p>"The overwhelming consensus among the Board and Hockey Operations was that placement in finals, or during Playoff Finals Weekend, should not hinge on a shootout," said Liam Sewell, Head of Hockey Operations for the Motorpoint Elite League.</p>
p>"Our aim was to let players determine the outcome of these contests through extended overtime, as situations could require subsequent days or even weeks for a decision. Transitioning to 3‑on‑3 from the second overtime period, if needed, prevents shootouts while still improving the probability of a winning goal being scored."</p>

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The Motorpoint Elite League Board has agreed to eliminate shootouts from elimination matches beginning with the 2026/27 season.

A full 20‑minute period of 5‑on‑5 sudden‑death overtime will replace traditional 3‑on‑3 shootout formats when extra time is required during elimination playoffs and cup competitions. Teams will first play extended overtime after each intermission before moving to shortened 3‑on‑3 contests if a tie persists beyond two additional rests.

The revised schedule remains intact for championship-deciding matches: both the Challenge Cup Final and Motorpoint Playoff Final will proceed using standard 5‑on‑5 quick‑fire sudden‑death overtime. During the regular season and Challenge Cup group stages, overtime rules alongside shootouts will continue as previously established.

“The overwhelming consensus among the Board and Hockey Operations was that placement in finals, or during Playoff Finals Weekend, should not hinge on a shootout,” said Liam Sewell, Head of Hockey Operations for the Motorpoint Elite League.

“Our aim was to let players determine the outcome of these contests through extended overtime, as situations could require subsequent days or even weeks for a decision. Transitioning to 3‑on‑3 from the second overtime period, if needed, prevents shootouts while still improving the probability of a winning goal being scored.”

At the Motorpoint Playoff Finals Weekend, a minimum of 75 minutes will separate the conclusion of an opening semi‑final from the restart of its counterpart if overtime is already underway in the preceding match.

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