2009-2010 Central Hockey League Playoff Format

The 2009-2010 Central Hockey League playoff format is as follows:

- A total of ten (10) of fifteen(15) teams will qualify for the post-season, consisting of five (5) clubs from each conference.  Both conference winners will be seeded 1st in their conference heading into the playoffs based on point totals.  The next four (4) highest teams in each conference’s regular season standings based on point totals will be seeded 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in each conference and will also qualify for post-season play.  

- The playoffs will consist of four (4) rounds.  (Opening Round – Best of 3, Conference Semi-Finals – Best of 7, Conference Finals – Best of 7, Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals – Best of 7).  

- The opening round (Opening Round) will feature one (1) separate series of play in each conference, with the 4th seed playing the 5th seed.  Both Opening Round series must be completed no later than the first Thursday after the completion of the regular season (unless it does not affect a Saturday start date for the Conference Semi-Finals).  

- The second round (Conference Semi-Finals) will consist of the victorious two (2) teams from each conference’s Opening Round, along with the top three (3) seeds in each conference.  The 1st seed will play the winner of the first round series, and the 2nd seed will play the 3rd seed in each conference in a best-of-seven series.  

- The third round (Conference Finals) will consist of the victorious two (2) teams remaining from each conference, with Conference Semi-Final seeding remaining in effect to determine home ice advantage.

- The fourth round (President’s Cup Final) will consist of the victorious two (2) teams remaining, one from each conference.  Home ice advantage in the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals will be awarded to the club with the higher regular season point total, regardless of any earlier playoff seeding.

Should two (2) or more teams be tied in points for any seeding issue throughout the
playoffs, the following tiebreakers will be used: 

-Most wins
-Head-to-head record
-Goals for and against differential