Season structure of the AIHL
Encyclopedia
The structure of the American Inline Hockey League
(AIHL) season is divided into the regular season and the Champions Cup playoffs. In the regular season, teams play 24 games which determine their standings. The four top-seeded teams in each division enter the playoff elimination tournament to determine the Champions Cup champion.
Two points are awarded for a win (including in overtime or shootout), one point for a loss (with one situational exception) in overtime or shootout, and no points for a loss in regulation time. If, however, a team pulls their goaltender for an extra attacker
during overtime and gives up an empty net goal, the point normally awarded for losing in overtime is forfeited.
plays 24 regular season games, ten games at home, ten on the road, and four festival style.
Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against two teams in its division, six games (four at home, two away) against one team in its division, and six games (two at home, four away) against one team in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four Great Lakes Division teams one time at a Colonial-Great Lakes Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against two teams in its division, six games (four at home, two away) against one team in its division, and six games (two at home, four away) against one team in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four Colonial Division
teams one time at a Colonial-Great Lakes Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
plays 24 regular season games, ten games at home, ten on the road, and four festival style.
Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four New England Division
teams one time at a Mid Atlantic-New England Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
plays 24 regular season games, ten games at home, ten on the road, and four festival style.
Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four Mid Atlantic Division
teams one time at a Mid Atlantic-New England Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
Each team plays eight games (considered four times home, four times away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 24 games). Division games are played at one of five Gulf Coast Festivals. Each team hosts one festival and one festival is played at a neutral site.
plays 24 regular season games, eight games at home, eight on the road, and eight festival style.
Each team plays four home-and-home style games (two at home, two away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 16 games). Home-and-home division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams also play each team an additional two times at one of two Pacific North Festivals at neutral sites (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
plays 24 regular season games, all festival style.
Each team plays six games (considered three times home, four times away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 24 games). Division games are played at one of six Pacific South Festivals.
Each team plays eight games (four at home, four away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 24 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time.
The teams are seeded one through four in each division. The teams that finish with the most points in each division are crowned the division champions, and are seeded one based on their point records. The next three teams with the best records in the division are seeded two through four. In the event of a tie in points standings, the highest ranking team is determined using the following tiebreaking procedures
:
The first round of the playoffs, or Division Semifinals, consists of two match-ups in each division, based on the seedings (#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3). In the second round, or Division Finals, the two remaining teams in each division play each other, with the division champions proceeding to the Conference Semifinals.
The third round of the playoffs, or Conference Semifinals, consists of two match-ups in each conference, based on the seedings of the division champions (#1 division winner vs. #4 division winner and #2 division winner and #3 division winner). In the fourth round, or Conference Finals, the two remaining teams in each conference play each other, with the conference champions proceeding to the Champions Cup Final.
For the first two rounds, the higher-seeded team has home-floor advantage (based on point record). The team with home-floor advantage hosts all games, and is the home team in each game. For the last three rounds, all games are played at a neutral site over Championship Weekend. The higher-seeded team with the better regular season record is considered the home team for Games 1 and 3, while the opponent is considered home for Game 2 (Game 3 is played "if necessary").
American Inline Hockey League
The American Inline Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates an elite inline hockey league of 40 franchised member clubs, all of which are located in the United States. Headquartered in Menomonie, Wisconsin, the AIHL is widely considered to be one of the top...
(AIHL) season is divided into the regular season and the Champions Cup playoffs. In the regular season, teams play 24 games which determine their standings. The four top-seeded teams in each division enter the playoff elimination tournament to determine the Champions Cup champion.
Regular season
Each team in the AIHL plays 24 regular season games. Each division has the responsibility of deciding their scheduling format using either home-and-home, Festivals, or a combination of both.Two points are awarded for a win (including in overtime or shootout), one point for a loss (with one situational exception) in overtime or shootout, and no points for a loss in regulation time. If, however, a team pulls their goaltender for an extra attacker
Extra attacker
An extra attacker in ice hockey is a forward or, less commonly, a defenceman who has been substituted in place of the goaltender. The purpose of this substitution is to gain an offensive advantage to score a goal...
during overtime and gives up an empty net goal, the point normally awarded for losing in overtime is forfeited.
Colonial Division
Each team in the Colonial DivisionColonial Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's Colonial Division was formed in 2009 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment. All five teams are within 337 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Harrisburg Lunatics*Pittsburgh Bandits*Potomac Mavericks*Richmond Robins...
plays 24 regular season games, ten games at home, ten on the road, and four festival style.
Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against two teams in its division, six games (four at home, two away) against one team in its division, and six games (two at home, four away) against one team in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four Great Lakes Division teams one time at a Colonial-Great Lakes Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 4 games × 2 opponents + 6 games × 2 opponents | 20 |
| Non-divisional, in conference | 1 game × 4 opponents | 4 |
Great Lakes Division
Each team in the Great Lakes Division plays 24 regular season games, ten games at home, ten on the road, and eight festival style.Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against two teams in its division, six games (four at home, two away) against one team in its division, and six games (two at home, four away) against one team in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four Colonial Division
Colonial Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's Colonial Division was formed in 2009 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment. All five teams are within 337 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Harrisburg Lunatics*Pittsburgh Bandits*Potomac Mavericks*Richmond Robins...
teams one time at a Colonial-Great Lakes Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 4 games × 2 opponents + 6 games × 2 opponents | 20 |
| Non-divisional, in conference | 1 game × 4 opponents | 4 |
Mid Atlantic Division
Each team in the Mid Atlantic DivisionMid Atlantic Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's Mid Atlantic Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Eastern Conference in the creation of the league. All six teams are within 110 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Marple Gladiators*New Jersey Grizzlies*New Jersey Nightmare...
plays 24 regular season games, ten games at home, ten on the road, and four festival style.
Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four New England Division
New England Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's New England Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Eastern Conference in the creation of the league. All six teams are within 191 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Beantown Athletics*Hartford Fire Ants*Long Island 495ers*NY Terror...
teams one time at a Mid Atlantic-New England Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 4 games × 5 opponents | 20 |
| Non-divisional, in conference | 1 game × 4 opponents | 4 |
New England Division
Each team in the New England DivisionNew England Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's New England Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Eastern Conference in the creation of the league. All six teams are within 191 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Beantown Athletics*Hartford Fire Ants*Long Island 495ers*NY Terror...
plays 24 regular season games, ten games at home, ten on the road, and four festival style.
Each team plays four games (two at home, two away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 20 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams play four Mid Atlantic Division
Mid Atlantic Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's Mid Atlantic Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Eastern Conference in the creation of the league. All six teams are within 110 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Marple Gladiators*New Jersey Grizzlies*New Jersey Nightmare...
teams one time at a Mid Atlantic-New England Festival at a neutral site (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 4 games × 5 opponents | 20 |
| Non-divisional, in conference | 1 game × 4 opponents | 4 |
Gulf Coast Division
Each team in the Gulf Coast Division plays 24 regular season games. Due to the extended travel in the division all games are played festival style.Each team plays eight games (considered four times home, four times away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 24 games). Division games are played at one of five Gulf Coast Festivals. Each team hosts one festival and one festival is played at a neutral site.
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 8 games × 3 opponents | 24 |
Pacific North Division
Each team in the Pacific North DivisionPacific North Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's Pacific North Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Western Conference in the creation of the league. All five teams are within 80 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*East Bay Jawz*Northern California Mustangs*Oakland Goodlife...
plays 24 regular season games, eight games at home, eight on the road, and eight festival style.
Each team plays four home-and-home style games (two at home, two away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 16 games). Home-and-home division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time. Teams also play each team an additional two times at one of two Pacific North Festivals at neutral sites (considered twice at home, twice away, four total games).
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 6 games × 4 opponents | 24 |
Pacific South Division
Each team in the Pacific South DivisionPacific South Division (AIHL)
The AIHL's Pacific South Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Western Conference in the creation of the league. All five teams are within 39 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*949 Anarchy Red*Corona Ducks*Huntington Beach Ducks...
plays 24 regular season games, all festival style.
Each team plays six games (considered three times home, four times away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 24 games). Division games are played at one of six Pacific South Festivals.
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 6 games × 4 opponents | 24 |
Southwest Division
Each team in the Southwest Division plays 24 regular season games, twelve games at home and twelve on the road.Each team plays eight games (four at home, four away) against the other teams in its division (a total of 24 games). Division games are played as a set of two back-to-back games at a time.
| Division | Schedule | Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| Intra-Division | 8 games × 3 opponents | 24 |
Champions Cup playoffs
At the end of the regular season, 32 teams, 16 from each conference (four from each division), qualify for the Champions Cup playoffs, an elimination tournament consisting of five rounds of best-of-three series to determine which team from each conference will advance to the final round, dubbed the Champions Cup Final.The teams are seeded one through four in each division. The teams that finish with the most points in each division are crowned the division champions, and are seeded one based on their point records. The next three teams with the best records in the division are seeded two through four. In the event of a tie in points standings, the highest ranking team is determined using the following tiebreaking procedures
Tiebreaker
In games and sports, a tiebreaker or tiebreak is used to determine a winner from among players or teams that are tied at the end of a contest, or a set of contests.-In matches:In some situations, the tiebreaker may consist of another round of play...
:
- The fewer number of games played (only used during the season, as all teams will have played 24 games once the season is over).
- The greater number of games won.
- The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs.
- The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season.
The first round of the playoffs, or Division Semifinals, consists of two match-ups in each division, based on the seedings (#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3). In the second round, or Division Finals, the two remaining teams in each division play each other, with the division champions proceeding to the Conference Semifinals.
The third round of the playoffs, or Conference Semifinals, consists of two match-ups in each conference, based on the seedings of the division champions (#1 division winner vs. #4 division winner and #2 division winner and #3 division winner). In the fourth round, or Conference Finals, the two remaining teams in each conference play each other, with the conference champions proceeding to the Champions Cup Final.
For the first two rounds, the higher-seeded team has home-floor advantage (based on point record). The team with home-floor advantage hosts all games, and is the home team in each game. For the last three rounds, all games are played at a neutral site over Championship Weekend. The higher-seeded team with the better regular season record is considered the home team for Games 1 and 3, while the opponent is considered home for Game 2 (Game 3 is played "if necessary").
See also
- List of the most frequent AIHL playoff series
- American Inline Hockey League rivalries
- List of AIHL franchise post-season appearance streaks
- List of AIHL franchise post-season droughts