Dave Andrews, President and CEO of the AHL just finished a conversation on Sportnet's Prime Time Sports discussing 3-on-3 play in the AHL.

Last year, 65% of their games went to the shootout, this season, with the 3-on-3 play instituted, only 16% of the games have progressed to the shootout.

The OT rules for the AHL is as follows, 3 minutes of 4-on-4 play, then up to four minutes of 3-on-3 play which starts after the first whistle past the three minute mark in OT.

The other rules are basically the same as the NHL, dry scrape before OT and long change for the teams.

Andrews noted the fans really do enjoy the 3-on-3 and said it usually starts out cautiously but then picks up when the first scoring chance happens and off they go.

NHL GMs have been in contact with Andrews regarding his thoughts but he has had no contact directly with the NHL at this point in time.

Personally Dave Andrews loves the 3-on-3 and looks at the shootout as a last resort.