It’s all change next season for the Invicta Dynamos after a new league format was agreed on Sunday.
The Invicta Dynamos will be playing in a new NIHL South Division 1 format for 2017/18 after it was formally agreed and will comprise of 12 teams in 2 conferences, including cross-conference fixtures, as well as a cup tournament and the introduction of sudden death overtime.
NIHL SOUTH DIVISION 1
The league grows to 12 teams following the addition of Basingstoke Bison, Bracknell Bees (Bracknell Hornets move to the NIHL South Division 2), Cardiff Fire, Peterborough Phantoms and Swindon Wildcats. These 12 sides will be divided into 2 conferences.
Conference A
Basingstoke Bison
Bracknell Bees
Cardiff Fire
Milton Keynes Thunder
Oxford City Stars
Solent Devils
Conference B
Chelmsford Chieftains
Invicta Dynamos
London Raiders
Peterborough Phantoms
Streatham IHC
Swindon Wildcats
Teams will play other sides in their conference 4 times on a 2 at home and 2 away basis for a total of 20 conference fixtures. In addition teams will play sides from the other conference 2 times on a 1 at home and 1 away basis for a total of 12 cross-conference fixtures. Final placement in the NIHL South Division 1 will be determined by the team’s record across all 32 league fixtures.
NIHL SOUTHERN CUP
8 teams will compete in the NIHL Southern Cup. These sides will be divided into 2 groups:
Group A
Chelmsford Chieftains
Invicta Dynamos
Streatham IHC
London Raiders
Group B
Basingstoke Bison
Bracknell Bees
Peterborough Phantoms
Swindon Wildcats
Teams will play other sides in their group 2 times on a 1 at home and 1 away basis. The top 2 sides in each group will then progress to the NIHL Southern Cup Semifinals to be played over 2 legs on a 1 at home and 1 away basis before the victors progress to the NIHL Southern Cup Final also to be played over 2 legs on a 1 at home and 1 away basis.
NIHL SOUTHERN PLAYOFFS
Arrangements for the post-season competition are in place but will be ratified following the NIHL North meeting on Sunday 14th May 2017.
RULES / FURTHER UPDATES
The regular season will begin on the weekend of 2nd/3rd September 2017 and end on 7th/8th April 2018.
The limit to the number of non-EIHA trained players permitted on the roster on game day remains unchanged and therefore all teams are allowed a maximum of two with only one on the ice at any one time.
2017/18 will see the introduction of sudden death overtime with any tie that finishes level after 60 minutes progressing to a further 5 minute period of 3-on-3 hockey. Should a team score during this period they will win the tie and claim two points whilst the losing side will receive one point. Should neither team score the game will proceed to penalty shots with the same point allocation.
CLUB STATEMENT
Following the conclusion of the EIHA meeting Club Director Jackie Mason said, “After several weeks of uncertainty we are pleased the format for the new season has been agreed and believe that the most suitable outcome possible has been achieved.”
“As a club we are now focussed on preparing for the challenges that await in 2017/18 and look forward to welcoming several new teams to the SilverBlades Gillingham.”
“The expansion of the NIHL and addition of sudden death overtime is set to make our league even more exciting for our supporters and our commitment to them remains the same as before – icing the most competitive team possible within the resources available.”
“We see this as an opportunity to continue to grow the club on and off the ice and look forward to welcoming our supporters back to the rink for when the new season gets underway in September”.