GRAND FORKS — Tom Serratore isn't a fan of 3-on-3 overtime. The Bemidji State men's hockey coach made that clear last week. "I called it gimmicky hockey because it is gimmicky hockey,” Serratore told the Bemidji Pioneer.
“You don’t have to be a hockey player to play 3-on-3, whereas in 5-on-5, you have to be a hockey player. "But I wasn’t born yesterday. It’s entertaining.
Fans love it. The players love it. We maybe have to modify some rules in the future, but the NHL will figure that one out.
At the end of the day, we’re in the entertainment business." Serratore may want to brace for some more 3-on-3. If there's been one consistent with North Dakota vs.
Bemidji State men's hockey series, it has been overtime. There's been an overtime game in six-straight series between the teams and in nine of the last 11. The stretch dates back to when college hockey teams played 5-on-5 overtime and has carried through to the 3-on-3 era.
Most ended in ties. In 2019-20, UND's Westin Michaud won a 5-on-5 overtime game in Ralph Engelstad Arena. In 2021-22, the first 3-on-3 overtime between the teams, Bemidji State's Ross Armour scored the winner in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Last year, UND's Jackson Blake won a 3-on-3 overtime game for the Fighting Hawks. "There's a fine line between winning and losing," Serratore said. "Look at all of our series.
Look in our league. There are overtime games. There are one-goal losses, one-goal wins.
There's splits during the year. It's college hockey.
