New Playoff Format On Aces' Side Of ECHL

The ECHL today released information on next season's playoff format, and it included intriguing changes in the National Conference, which includes the Alaska Aces.

With the National Conference down to eight teams after Phoenix folded, the top seven teams will make the playoffs next season, and the top team will receive a first-round bye. The remaining six teams will play best-of-5 series in the first round -- No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5 -- with the conference champ playing the winner of the 4-5 series in the best-of-7 second round. (This past season, all four first-round series were best-of-7 and there was no bye).

The bye raises the issue of whether the conference winner will endure some rink rust waiting for its second-round opponent, but Aces coach Keith McCambridge said the opportunity to rest after a punishing regular season makes the bye attractive.

"I think that at that point in the season, after 72 games, the chance to rest your team outweighs the concern of not being sharp for the second round,'' McCambridge said.

The bye, McCambridge said, "puts value on the regular season.'' A bye was necessary, presumably, because it would be fairly ridiculous if the regular season did not eliminate at least one National Conference team from the postseason.

Another intriguing deal: The higher seeds in the first round can choose to host either Games 1 and 2 or Games 3-5 (Teams less than 350 miles apart -- and this stipulation does not register for the Aces, given geography -- can opt for a 2-2-1 format. If the Aces play in the first round, I think it's a safe bet they will opt to host Games 1 and 2 -- no reason not to immediately use home-ice advantage, score two home playoff dates for sure and gain the subsequent gate receipts.

Oh -- the Aces will play in the West Division with the Idaho Steelheads, Victoria Salmon Kings and Utah Grizzlies. The Pacific Division includes the Las Vegas Wranglers, Bakersfield Condors, Stockton Thunder and Ontario Reign.

For a complete breakdown of the news out of the league's Governors meeting, including the divisional breakdown and playoff format, check out the ECHL's news release here.