The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Burlington, Ontario Ð A new 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge will be hosted this summer in Burlington, Ontario by the same organization that runs the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships. The unique championship is slated for Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16 at Wave Hockey Twin Rinks in Burlington, Ontario. The 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge is being run by Drive Marketing whose President Neil Lumsden has earned a reputation for presenting dynamic events that appeal to grass-roots of sport. The North American 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge is open to a wide range of age groups with 12 divisions ranging from a mixed six and under division to women's 25 + and men's 35+. "This 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge format is a chance to play Canada's game, cranked up a notch," says Lumsden. "It`s a high-octane game is fast-paced, non-contact and goal-scorer friendly." The format and rules of the 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge are designed to generate fast paced hockey: Play is 3-on-3 (plus a goalie) with a maximum of 10 players per team. Teams change "on the fly". The five goal rule is in effect Ð no single player can score more than five goals per game. If a sixth goal is scored, a penalty will be called. If a team falls behind by three or more goals at any time during the game, the five goal rule will be waived. Games consist of one-25 minute period (running time). When play is stopped due to a goaltender covering the puck (or a goal is scored), a whistle will signal that the offending players must vacate the zone (blue line). All players must clear the blue line before the first player can attack. If an attacking team player touches the puck intentionally before clearing the blue line, a penalty will be called. Should a puck go outside the designated playing area, the team to last touch the puck will lose possession and upon restart will give the opposing team possession at the spot closest to where the puck left the area of play. Various divisional champions will be crowned in the championships, as well as MVP, MVP Goalie and others. Lumsden expects the event to grow to a point that team registrations will rival the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships held annually by Drive Marketing in Huntsville. That event has grown to become the world's largest shinny championship in just four years. All players must be recreational athletes. This means that no active professional, junior or university/college players are eligible. To register visit www.3on3hockey challenge.com/index.html.
