Teams attract between 500 and 2,500 fans per game, depending on market size, with all games live-streamed on YouTube Live. Small-market hockey fosters a passionate and intense local fandom for both the sport and their communities, creating an exciting atmosphere. Many players have experience in the NHL, NCAA, and other professional leagues.
Teams compete for the prestigious Clear Cup, awarded to the playoff champion. All games are played in a series format on Friday and Saturday nights. Points are accumulated through matches against qualifying opponents, which include exhibition teams such as the FDNY, NYPD, Denver Leafs, and Chicago Shamrocks. Note that exhibition teams are not eligible for the Clear Cup Finals.
League teams earn points from November 1 to April 30 each year. In the second week of May, the top four teams in points compete for the Clear Cup. The matchups feature the #1 seed against the #4 seed and the #2 seed against the #3 seed in a best-of-three series, hosted at the arena of the top-seeded team. The Clear Cup Finals follow a best-of-five format, taking place on the third and fourth weekends of May. The first two games are hosted at the lower seed's arena, while Games 3, 4, and 5 are held at the top seed's arena over a Friday to Sunday schedule.
