ECHL Rules: Fighting, Playoff Overtime and Roster

Yes, fighting is allowed in East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) but it poses some restrictions and results in penalties as well.

Fighting is what distinguishes ice hockey from other sports. Though it has been a part of hockey games for decades, it is slowly decreasing in games due to the severity of penalties it brings.

From the beginning, fighting has been prevalent in hockey games. It is a way for the players and teams to create dominance on the ice and intimidate their opponents.

The players can also relieve the game tension and frustration through the fight. However, it can pose serious escalation in violence and life-threatening injuries.

To control fights and their consequences, certain rules have been created and implemented in hockey games. East Coast Hockey League also has its own set of rules for fighting that are implemented in the games.

In the former season, Justin Nachbaur was the fighting leader of the league. He engaged in an altercation during 7 home games and 6 road games. Nachbaur was followed by Nico Blachman and Mark Liwiski.

ECHL overtime rules state that the overtime period is of 20 minutes. Moreover, the game is played in a sudden-death format.

There is an intermission of 15 minutes between the regulation and the overtime and between two overtimes. The team to score the first goal will win the game. Multiple overtime can be accessed during the playoffs until one of the teams scores.

The rules of overtime in the regular season of the East Coast Hockey League are:

•  The overtime in the regular season of the ECHL lasts not more than 7 minutes.
• The teams will play 3-on-3 and the first ones to score will be declared winners.
• Both the teams who tied the game in regulation will secure a point.
• A team can pull their goalie out of the game and add an attacker. If they lose the game, then they will lose their point as well.
• If the game is tied even after overtime, then the game will proceed with a shootout
• Each team gets 3 penalty shots and the one with the highest number of goals wins.
• If the teams still end up in a tie, they will proceed with a sudden-death shootout during the regular season. 

ECHL Playoff roster rules are as follows:

• Every team in the league should have 24 players on their playoff roster. The roster should include at least 17 active skates and 2 eligible goaltenders.
• The 20-man active playoff roster should have 18 skaters and 2 goalies. Likewise, the 4-man reserve list should have 1 goalie and 3 skaters.
• The roster should be submitted to the league before 3 p.m. ET on the Monday following the last day of the regular season.
• Once submitted, the team roster can not be changed except in case of injury or emergency.
• The players on the playoff roster should be on the team's active roster or reserve list at a point during the regular season.
• Athletes who are in two-way contracts with AHL or NHL teams should not be included on the roster unless they have been assigned to the ECHL team by their NHL or AHL team.
• An athlete who is on the injured reserve (IR) can be named to the playoff roster. He will be eligible to compete in the postseason matches once their IR time is completed.
• The player who has been recalled by the NHL or AHL teams can be named on the playoff roster.
• If the playing strength of the team has reduced to 2 goalkeepers and 16 skaters, then it is deemed to be an emergency situation.
• In case of emergency conditions, only the amateur players can be signed by the team for the active playoff roster.

The regular season roster of ECHL must have 19 players including 17 skaters and 2 goaltenders. The list should be provided to the Official Scorer before the game begins.

If a player is not eligible, they will be removed from the games. Moreover, the team will not be able to substitute another player in his place.

If both the goaltenders are injured, then the team can dress and play any other goalie who is eligible. During the game, players in uniform, non-playing team personnel, and a non-uniformed coach are allowed on the bench.

The format of ECHL Playoff is the best-of-7 series. The top four teams from each division are automatically qualified for the postseason games.

The first two rounds of the postseason are played within each division. In the division, the team placing first competes with the fourth, and the second competes with the third.

The winners of the first-round advance to the division finals. The winning teams of the second round are considered division champions.

The third round of the playoff is known as the Conference Finals. The division champions fight for this title. The winners of the third round reach the playoff finals. The champions from each conference will compete for the Kelly Cup.

The teams who have secured the playoff title for the past decade are listed below.