Our season is winding down, provincial playdowns are well under way. The last league games are being played before the playoffs start. The year is coming to an end and the best tournament of the year is only weeks away. The year end 3 on 3 tournament is back.
If you've never seen a 3 on 3 tournament or played in one you've missed out on some of the most exciting hockey around. Eight man rosters including a goalie, non-stop end to end action, very few whistles, even fewer face-offs. It is go, go, go from the start to the end. These kids work up a sweat and love it !
As a coach you don't do much more than open the gate and let them fly. They'll work their tails off for two 12-minute periods. I almost hate to admit it but a lot of the players and parents prefer this game format to regular games.
Teams usually play 6-8 games over a three-day span. Keep in mind they are only ½ hour games start to finish. It's a very "up tempo" weekend and has become the highlight of the year.
Throw your regular team roster out the window; coaches make their own teams combining players from different teams. The friends who didn't get to play together all year can play together to finish the year off. Some of our local 3 on 3 teams have been together for years, and some go as far as to customize special sweaters for their team. For years now the "Screaming Gophers" have been the craziest group of buddies in our local event.
Last year we had 56 teams in 8 different divisions, if you've ever run a tournament it sounds like a logistical nightmare, but it's not.
Floods only happen after every other game. There's a three-minute warm-up and a three minute intermission. After a goal is scored the scoring team goes back to centre and then they can come back in after the puck again. Goalies cover the puck and the opposing team has to clear the blue line, there is no face-off. It's a unique version of the game we love.
If your association is looking for a great way to wrap up the hockey season I would highly recommend this format.
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