The NHC members agreed to adopt new rules for overtime for league varsity games starting in the 2023-24 season.
If a league varsity game is tied after regulation: play a 5-minute 4-on-4 sudden death overtime. Change ends (same ends as the 2nd period).
- If a goal is scored in OT, the winning team gets credit for a Win (and 2 points in the standings). The losing team is credited with a Loss but receives 1 point in the league standings.
If no one scores in overtime, play a 3-round shootout. (Same ends as the OT.) If neither team is ahead after 3 rounds, continue one round at a time until one team scores and the other team does not. A skater cannot take a 2nd turn in the shootout until all other eligible skaters on that team have had a turn. A player who is in the penalty box at the end of OT cannot participate in the shootout.
- (new for 2024-25 season) The shootout winner is credited with a Win. The shootout loser is credited with a Loss but receives 1 point in the league standings.
If a curfew clock is enforced by the rink at any point in the OT or shootout, the game ends immediately and results in a tie for both teams.
Player stats (goal, assists, saves, penalties served) count for OT play but not for the shootout.
The referees will manage the process, such as checking that skaters do not try to shoot a 2nd time until eligible again. If an ineligible player participates in a shootout round, then that is an automatic “no goal” which may end the shootout (if the other team scores).
JV league games end in a tie after regulation (same as before). Non-conference and tournament games have varying rules.