Tretyak Cool on KHL's Pre-Match Shootout Idea
FHR president Vladislav Tretyak doubts the KHL's plan to settle ties with a shootout before puck drop, suggesting a pre-season trial first.
Vladislav Tretyak, president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, has poured cold water on a proposal from the KHL to decide drawn matches with a shootout held before the opening face-off rather than after the final whistle.
The idea came from KHL president Alexei Morozov, who suggested that in the event of a tie, the winner would be decided by a shootout taken before the game even started, arguing it would generate excitement.
Tretyak was unconvinced.
"If that were interesting, the NHL would have brought in such a rule long ago. If the KHL want to try it, better to do it at pre-season tournaments and see whether it takes hold or not. If clubs and fans like it, then conclusions can be drawn," said Tretyak.
His comments leave the proposal without backing from the federation, and point any trial run toward pre-season fixtures rather than the regular KHL campaign.
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