NAHL announces 2021 Robertson Cup Playoff schedule, format
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced the schedule and format for the 2021 Robertson Cup Playoffs and Championship. The four divisional playoff champions will advance to play at the 2021 Robertson Cup Championship in Blaine, Minnesota from June 18-22. The Robertson Cup is awarded to the national playoff champion of the NAHL.
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Division Semi-Finals (Best of 5)
The Club seeded first in each division will compete in a best-of-five series with the fourth seeded Club in the same division. The Club seeded second in each division will compete in a best-of-five-series against the Club seeded third in the same division. The Division Semi-Finals may begin no earlier than Thursday, May 20, 2021 and must conclude no later than Monday, May 31, 2021. The Club seeded higher in each division semifinal series has the right to host up to three games and the Club seeded lower in each division semifinal series must be able to host at least two games.
Central Division Semi-Finals (best of 5)
#1 Aberdeen Wings vs. #4 Minot Minotauros
Game 1: Friday, May 21 @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 22 @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm
Game 3: Thursday, May 27 @ Minot, 7:05pm
Game 4: Friday, May 28 @ Minot, 7:05pm*
Game 5: Sunday, May 30 @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm*
#2 Bismarck Bobcats vs. #3 Minnesota Wilderness
Game 1: Friday, May 21 @ Bismarck, 7:15pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 22 @ Bismarck, 7:15pm
Game 3: Tuesday, May 25 @ Minnesota, 7:15pm
Game 4: Wednesday, May 26 @ Minnesota, 7:15pm*
Game 5: Saturday, May 29 @ Bismarck, 7:15pm*
East Division Semi-Finals (best of 5)
#1 Johnstown Tomahawks vs. #4 Maryland Black Bears
Game 1: Friday, May 21 @ Johnstown, 7:30pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 22 @ Johnstown, 7:00pm
Game 3: Wednesday, May 26 @ Maryland, 6:30pm
Game 4: Thursday, May 27 @ Maryland, 6:30pm*
Game 5: Saturday, May 29 @ Johnstown, 7:00pm*
#2 Maine Nordiques vs. #3 New Jersey Titans
Game 1: Thursday, May 20 @ Maine, 7:00pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 21 @ Maine, 7:00pm
Game 3: Thursday, May 27 @ New Jersey, 7:00pm
Game 4: Friday, May 28 @ New Jersey, 7:00pm*
Game 5: Sunday, May 30 @ Maine, 7:00pm*
Midwest Division Semi-Finals (best of 5)
#1 Janesville Jets vs. #4 Kenai River Brown Bears
Game 1: Friday, May 21 @ Janesville, 7:05pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 22 @ Janesville, 7:05pm
Game 3: Friday, May 28 @ Kenai River, 7:00pm (Super Rink, Blaine, MN)
Game 4: Saturday, May 29 @ Kenai River, 7:00pm* (Super Rink, Blaine, MN)
Game 5: Monday, May 31 @ Janesville, 5:00pm*
#2 Fairbanks Ice Dogs vs. #3 Minnesota Magicians
Game 1: Friday, May 21 @ Fairbanks, 7:30pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 22 @ Fairbanks, 7:30pm
Game 3: If Fairbanks is up 2-0, Saturday, May 29 @ Minnesota, 7:00pm
Game 3: If series is tied 1-1 or if Magicians are up 2-0, Sunday, May 23 @ Fairbanks, 5:00pm
Game 4: Sunday, May 30 @ Minnesota, 7,00pm*
Game 5: Monday, May 31 @ Minnesota, 6:00pm*
South Division Semi-Finals (best of 5)
#1 Shreveport Mudbugs vs. #4 Amarillo Bulls
Game 1: Friday, May 21 @ Shreveport, 7:11pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 22 @ Shreveport, 7:11pm
Game 3: Thursday, May 27 @ Amarillo, 7:05pm
Game 4: Friday, May 28 @ Amarillo, 7:05pm*
Game 5: Sunday, May 30 @Shreveport, 7:11pm*
#2 Lone Star Brahmas vs. #3 Wichita Falls Warriors
Game 1: Friday, May 21 @ Lone Star, 7:30pm
Game 2: Saturday, May 22 @ Lone Star, 7:30pm
Game 3: Saturday, May 29 @ Wichita Falls, 4:05pm
Game 4: Sunday, May 30 @ Wichita Falls, 4:05pm*
Game 5: Monday, May 31 @ Lone Star, 7:00pm*
*if necessary
Playoff Overtime Procedure: During the all Robertson Cup playoff games, if the score is tied after three periods of play the following overtime procedure shall take place. Teams shall return to their dressing room and the ice shall be resurfaced. A fifteen-minute intermission shall take place. A twenty-minute, sudden death, overtime period shall be played with five skaters a side. The game shall terminate upon a goal being scored and the Club scoring declared the winner. If no goal is scored, the same procedure as above shall be repeated until a winner has been determined.
Division Finals (Best of 5)
The two Clubs in each division that won a division semifinal series shall compete in a best-of-five series against each other. The division finals may begin no earlier than Thursday, June 3, 2021 and conclude no later than Sunday, June 13, 2021. Clubs shall cooperate to schedule division final series competition. The higher seeded Club will have the right to host up to three games. The lower seeded Club must be able to host a minimum of two games.
NAHL Robertson Cup Championship
The four divisional playoff champions will advance to the Robertson Cup Championship, which will be held at the Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minnesota. Clubs will be seeded 1-4 based upon their finish in the NAHL regular-season standings. If necessary, the tie-breaking policy adopted in the NAHL Rules and Regulations will be applied to determine the final seeding. The game schedule will be as follows: The #1 Seed will face the #4 seed in a best of three series. The #2 seed will face the #3 seed in a best of three series. The two series winners will advance on to a one-game championship to determine the Robertson Cup Champion. The event will begin on Friday, June 18th and conclude on Tuesday, June 22nd.
