PBHL,

 

We will be having a pickup-style tournament this coming Saturday starting at 10AM and finishing up around 1PM.  This will be open to all players on a first come first serve basis with a maximum of 48 skaters allowed registration.  All of the details can be found in the attached document, I will go more into depth below.  Sign up is free and can be completed at https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/pbhl

 

The purpose of this event is to test out a potential Summer format so that we may continue to play into at least May/June before it gets too hot.  These will be weekly drafts/tournaments with no long-term commitment required, you sign up on the weeks you want to play.  We hope that this format is safe, fun and competitive.  We will welcome all feedback about the structure, rules, roster shaping etc AFTER the day has been completed.  This format was heavily influenced by how we will have to rotate goalies out during the hot months, goalie satisfaction is and always will be my top priority!  

FAQ

-  Why are we playing up to 3, why not 4 5 6 or 11?  Based on PBHL Season data and my TI-83 Calculator, winning teams average approximately 2.5 goals per period.  Given the smaller teams and the nature of "losers ball" we expect scoring to be a tick higher and each game to last approximately 10 minutes.  Some will be more and some will be less.  Teams will be balanced as always so we hope to avoid any 3-0's in the first 2 minutes.

-  Why no time/time limit?  The short games will make up for the long games.  There is less opportunity to game the system without a time limit and it keeps everyone having fun and engaged.

-  Why are the group standings determined by goals for and not wins/losses/ties?  It is a very similar system, winners get 3 points, close losers get 2 points, losers that put up a fight get 1 point and losing teams that rolled over and died get nothing.  This will keep the standings tight as well as each goal and play relevant.  

-  How many games will my team play?  Each team will play a minimum of 3.  Good teams will play 4 and great teams will play 5.

-  Why would I drive all that way just to play 3 games up to 3?  I did the research and this format all but guaranties that you will get more shifts/rink time than a normal PBHL game while still not keeping you standing around all day.  Teams that go to the finals will get roughly double the shifts they would get on a normal league day.  One of the objectives of this format is to condense as much playtime into a small window as possible so we can finish the days games before it gets too hot.  The target playtime during May, June and beyond would be 8:30 to 11:30 with 3 of the 8 teams done before 10.   

-  How long will I wait between games?   Your games will have about 10 minutes between them with some teams having back to backs.  The winner of group A will have about an hour wait until the championship game after the conclusion of the first leg of the event.  

-  Why no refs?  In the summer, we would like for guys to be able to kick back between games in the fans and shade instead of reffing.  The same goes for scorekeepers. The format will fall apart very quickly if we are asking people to alternate playing and reffing for 3 hours during May and June.

-   Jerseys?  Bring a WHITE, not yellow, orange, light pink or neon green jersey, as well as any jersey with pigment (doesn't have to be "Dark", pretend its Summer) to alternate between games.  In the true spirit of pickup, skins are encouraged but not required.

-  What happens if someone commits a penalty?  The player that gets "fouled" has the opportunity to call it.  His team will be awarded possession of the puck behind it's goal line, as is pickup tradition.  It's an adult pickup game with a WWF Belt as a trophy, don't take it too seriously.  

-  Will I get to pick my goalie?  No, goalies will work in and out and determine their rotation within their group based on scheduling, fatigue, weather etc.  

-  How will teams be determined?  Captains will be randomly selected from the registration list on Thursday night and notified (you can turn it down if you want)  We will then do a draft via text either that night or the following night depending on availability.  

-  When will I know what team I'm on?  You won't know until you show up Saturday morning.  We will let you know whether your show time is at 10AM for A group or 11AM for B group after the draft is complete. (these are not skill levels) 

-  Why?  People won't show up if they don't like their team.

-  How many players per team? Minimum 4, maximum 6 depending on interest.  Max 48 Skater spots (8 teams of 6)

-  Subs? Teams can borrow 1 player from another team with the opposing captain's approval if they have only 3 players present.  If 2 or less, notify me and we will try to cross-level the squads.

-  Gear?  Everything you wear for league games (HELMET!), sorry its a league-sanctioned event.

-  Did you say there's gonna be a title belt?  If the format works, yes we will order one!

 

 

I'm sure there were a lot of things I didn't answer, ask away!  

 

Respectfully,

 

Not Commish