Ice hockey league in Baden-Württemberg resumes play
The Baden-Württemberg League is set to introduce a new game mode for its senior competition, as announced after the registration deadline in early July. This exciting development has been approved by the Baden-Württemberg Ice Sports Association.
In this new format, the 15 participating teams will begin with a joint group phase, with the draw made using a lottery system based on the tables of the 2023/24 season. After this initial phase, the league will be divided into the RL branch (championship round) and LL branch (cup round).
The top three RL teams will be the "group heads," each assigned a team from the top 2-5. Notably, internal club duels are not allowed among the group heads in either the group phase or the championship round.
The other two teams from the group phase will be integrated into the cup round. The teams in the playoffs will play home and away matches to determine qualification for the respective playoffs or the cup winner in the cup round (LL branch).
The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will determine the champion of the Baden-Württemberg League in the RL branch, while the cup round will follow a similar structure. A provisional "registration" for the championship round is provided, allowing smaller LL clubs to also participate in the cup round if they qualify.
The first two playoff rounds will be played in a best-of-three format, while the final will be played in a best-of-five format. The top two teams and the two best third-placed teams from the group phase will qualify for the championship round.
After the group phase, the teams will be divided into two groups for the playoffs, taking the results from the group phase into consideration. The other two teams from each group will then compete in the playoffs, with the winners advancing to the next round.
This new game mode, initially an April Fool's joke, has now become a reality, adding an exciting twist to the Baden-Württemberg League ice hockey competition. For more detailed information about the new game mode, it is best to consult the official website of the Baden-Württemberg Ice Sports Association or relevant ice hockey news outlets.
In the revised format of the Baden-Württemberg League, the tournament structure includes a cup round for the LL branch, providing an opportunity for teams to compete in a cup competition alongside the main championship round, RL. The intriguing twist in the new game mode can be experienced in the realm of ice hockey, offering a fresh dynamics to the league.
