NAHL announces schedule for 2023 Robertson Cup Playoffs
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced the schedule for the 2023 Robertson Cup Playoffs, which begin on Friday, April 21st with the best of 5 Division Semi-Finals series. The four divisional playoff champions will advance to play at the 2023 Robertson Cup Championship in Blaine, Minnesota from May 19-23. The Robertson Cup is awarded to the national playoff champion of the NAHL.
All 2023 NAHL Robertson Cup Playoff games can be viewed live on HockeyTV
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, April 20, 2023, and must conclude no later than Monday, May 1, 2023. 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 Austin Bruins vs. #4 Minot Minotauros
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ Austin, 7:05pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 @ Austin, 7:05pm
Game 3: Friday, April 28 @ Minot, 7:35pm
Game 4: Saturday, April 29 @ Minot, 7:35pm*
Game 5: Monday, May 1 @ Austin, 7:05pm*
#2 Aberdeen Wings vs. # St. Cloud Norsemen
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm
Game 3: Friday, April 28 @ St. Cloud, 7:15pm
Game 4: Saturday, April 29 @ St. Cloud, 7:00pm*
Game 5: Monday, May 1 @ Aberdeen, 7:15pm*
East Division Semi-Finals (best of 5)
#1 Maryland Black Bears vs. #4 Northeast Generals
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ Maryland, 7:00pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 @ Maryland, 7:00pm
Game 3: Wednesday, April 26 @ Northeast, 7:00pm
Game 4: Thursday, April 27 @ Northeast, 7:00pm*
Game 5: Saturday, April 29, @ Maryland, 6:30pm*
#2 New Jersey Titans vs. #3 Maine Nordiques
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ New Jersey, 7:30pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 @ New Jersey, 7:00pm
Game 3: Thursday, April 27 @ Maine, 7:00pm
Game 4: Friday, April 28 @ Maine, 7:00pm*
Game 5: Sunday, April 30 @ New Jersey, 7:00pm*
Midwest Division Semi-Finals (best of 5)
#1 Wisconsin Windigo vs. #4 Chippewa Steel
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ Wisconsin, 7:00pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 232 @ Wisconsin, 7:00pm
Game 3: Friday, April 28 @ Chippewa, 7:00pm
Game 4: Saturday, April 29 @ Chippewa, 7:00pm*
Game 5: Sunday, April 30 @ Wisconsin, 6:00pm*
#2 Minnesota Wilderness vs, #3 Kenai River Brown Bears
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ Minnesota, 7:15pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 @ Minnesota, 7:15pm
Game 3: If Minnesota is up 2-0, Friday, April 28 @ Kenai River, 7:30pm
Game 3: If series is tied 1-1 or Kenai River is up 2-0, Sunday, April 23 @ Minnesota, 5:15pm
Game 4: Friday, April 28 or Saturday, April 29 @ Kenai River, 7:30pm*
Game 5: Saturday, April 29 or Sunday, April 30 @ Kenai River, 7:30pm*
South Division Semi-Finals (best of 5)
#1 Oklahoma Warriors vs. #4 Amarillo Wranglers
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ Oklahoma, 7:15pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 @ Oklahoma, 7:15pm
Game 3: Friday, April 28 @ Amarillo, 7:15pm
Game 4: Saturday, April 29 @ Amarillo, 7:15pm
Game 5: Monday, May 1 @ Oklahoma, 7:15pm
#2 Lone Star Brahmas vs. #3 Shreveport Mudbugs
Game 1: Friday, April 21 @ Lone Star, 7:30pm
Game 2: Saturday, April 22 @ Lone Star, 7:30pm
Game 3: Friday, April 28 @ Shreveport, 7:11pm
Game 4: Saturday, April 29 @ Shreveport, 7:11pm*
Game 5: Monday, May 1 @ Lone Star, 7:00pm*
*if necessary
Playoff Overtime Procedure: During 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, May 4, 2023, and conclude no later than Sunday, May 14, 2023. 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 NAHL divisional playoff champions will advance to the Robertson Cup Championship from May 19-23 in Blaine, MN. Once the four NAHL Divisional Playoff Champions are determined, clubs will be seeded 1-4 based upon their finish in the NAHL regular-season standings. The game schedule will be as follows: The #1 Seed will face the #4 seed in a best of three Semi-Final series. The #2 seed will face the #3 seed in a best of three Semi-Final series. The best of three Semi-Final series will begin on Friday, May 19th. The two series winners will advance onto a winner-take-all championship game on Tuesday, May 23rd to determine the Robertson Cup National Champion.
