There seems to be some question on the list, and elsewhere, about the status
of the Hockey East shootout, and subsequent 5-3-2 point system.
 
Hockey East has abandoned the shootout after its two year trial period, and
has returned to the 2-1 point system that the other conferences use.
 
There were a couple ideas that helped fire the shootout idea two years ago.
One of them was to help break up the ties, but in the first year alone we
saw Maine and Boston University share the Hockey East title.  Further
analysis shows that little to no change in the standings would have happened
under the 2-1 point system.
 
Another one of the justifications for the shootout was for the fans, but I
don't believe Hockey East fans really got behind it.  At times, some
buildings were pretty excited during shootouts, but overall it wasn't a big
hit.  A tie was still a tie, even if an extra point was involved, as far as
the fans were concerned.
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Deron Treadwell ([log in to unmask])
 
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