ECAC Playoff Changes

[Chris '03]

First round for men to be single game starting this year. Quarters still best of three.

Women to expand to 12 teams starting next year.

https://ecachockey.com/news/2022/11/9/mens-ice-hockey-ecac-hockey-announces-changes-to-postseason-structure.aspx

[The Rancor]

Do the playoff games count for RPI/PWR?

[scoop85]

First round for men to be single game starting this year. Quarters still best of three.

Women to expand to 12 teams starting next year.

https://ecachockey.com/news/2022/11/9/mens-ice-hockey-ecac-hockey-announces-changes-to-postseason-structure.aspx

I'm always amused at that tagline in the ECAC hockey releases:

Established in 1961-62, ECAC Hockey is home to elite student-athletes from 12 of the nation's most prestigious institutions: Brown University, Clarkson University, Colgate University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, Quinnipiac University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Lawrence University, Union College, and Yale University.

Obviously there are "prestigious" schools among those 12, but one not-so prestigious school in particular stands out like a sore thumb.

[upprdeck]

is this really a good thing and why the change?

[CU2007]

is this really a good thing and why the change?

I would say it is somewhat of a good thing if you are perennially in the top 4 (Cornell) because the chance of an upset in the 5-12 series is greater in a one game playoff than a best of three, thus theoretically increasing your chances of getting a weaker opponent in the quarters. Maybe?

[upprdeck]

Was this a way to try to limit some wear and tear on the bottom 8 so they dont play 3 then 3 then get to the final 4?

Its gonna cost them money since you take out 4-8 games..

[Weder]

I wonder if they're also adding a week to the women's season when they go to 12 or if they'll have something like a Tuesday playoff game for teams 9-12.

[RichH]

First round for men to be single game starting this year. Quarters still best of three.

Women to expand to 12 teams starting next year.

https://ecachockey.com/news/2022/11/9/mens-ice-hockey-ecac-hockey-announces-changes-to-postseason-structure.aspx

I know it's not a huge deal, and it's hard to imagine a team altering anything that might have happened because of it, but does it strike anyone else as odd that they announced a post-season format change after the league has already started play in that season?

It's possible the schools/programs approved this prior to the season and it's just the league office being typically lackadaisical in their press releases & communications.

[Trotsky]

First round for men to be single game starting this year. Quarters still best of three.

Women to expand to 12 teams starting next year.

https://ecachockey.com/news/2022/11/9/mens-ice-hockey-ecac-hockey-announces-changes-to-postseason-structure.aspx

I'm always amused at that tagline in the ECAC hockey releases:

Established in 1961-62, ECAC Hockey is home to elite student-athletes from 12 of the nation's most prestigious institutions: Brown University, Clarkson University, Colgate University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, Quinnipiac University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Lawrence University, Union College, and Yale University.

Obviously there are "prestigious" schools among those 12, but one not-so prestigious school in particular stands out like a sore thumb.

Hasn't Dartmouth suffered enough?

[Trotsky]

is this really a good thing and why the change?

It's one step closer to getting rid of the First Round entirely, so, yes.

[Trotsky]

is this really a good thing and why the change?

I would say it is somewhat of a good thing if you are perennially in the top 4 (Cornell) because the chance of an upset in the 5-12 series is greater in a one game playoff than a best of three, thus theoretically increasing your chances of getting a weaker opponent in the quarters. Maybe?

I'd say that is offset by the fact the QF hosts will face fresher teams.

[Trotsky]

First round for men to be single game starting this year. Quarters still best of three.

Women to expand to 12 teams starting next year.

https://ecachockey.com/news/2022/11/9/mens-ice-hockey-ecac-hockey-announces-changes-to-postseason-structure.aspx

I know it's not a huge deal, and it's hard to imagine a team altering anything that might have happened because of it, but does it strike anyone else as odd that they announced a post-season format change after the league has already started play in that season?

It's possible the schools/programs approved this prior to the season and it's just the league office being typically lackadaisical in their press releases & communications.

I'm waiting for the rules change the night before Lake Placid.

NO SUBSTITUTIONS.
NO PENALTIES.

[CU2007]

is this really a good thing and why the change?

I would say it is somewhat of a good thing if you are perennially in the top 4 (Cornell) because the chance of an upset in the 5-12 series is greater in a one game playoff than a best of three, thus theoretically increasing your chances of getting a weaker opponent in the quarters. Maybe?

I'd say that is offset by the fact the QF hosts will face fresher teams.

Yep, fair

[billhoward]

is this really a good thing and why the change?

• Fewer costs: only one night in a hotel
• Less time away from campus (or faster start on spring break if you lose)
• First-round survivors less worn for the quarterfinals
• Less chance of injury
• Better odds the QF hosts (the 1-4 teams) will meet a 9-12 ("anything can happen in a single game" ) not 5-8. Good if we're a 1-4 more often than 5-12.

In the last 5 years, I wonder how often a 9-12 has advanced to the QFs in a best-of-3?

[French Rage]

is this really a good thing and why the change?

• Fewer costs: only one night in a hotel
• Less time away from campus (or faster start on spring break if you lose)
• First-round survivors less worn for the quarterfinals
• Less chance of injury
• Better odds the QF hosts (the 1-4 teams) will meet a 9-12 ("anything can happen in a single game" ) not 5-8. Good if we're a 1-4 more often than 5-12.

In the last 5 years, I wonder how often a 9-12 has advanced to the QFs in a best-of-3?

2022: none
2021: no QFs
2020: 11-6 upset
2019: none
2018: 9-8 upset
2017: none
2016: none
2015: 9-8, 10-7 upsets
2014: 10-7
2013: 9-8 upset
2012: 9-8, 10-7 upsets