4th Line? - Are you seeing yours?

[SlyBelle]

I had this posted in the sliders section so I thought I would put it here to see if others had input.

I'm playing anywhere from 6-8 minute periods with fatigue effect at 100 and fatigue recovery at 0. Trying to get realistic time on the ice. For the most part, my players get reasonable ice time.

However, in countless games with auto-line changes turned on, I have yet to see my 4th line ever get used. My players on the 4th line are getting zero minutes in the game.

Besides switching to manual line changes, any ideas how I can get my 4th line at least some minutes. Very frustrating.

[baa7]

Put them on the power play/penalty kill and/or edit everyone else's fatigue ratings down.

[phillyfan23]

I'm playing 11 minute periods and my 4th liners average about 7-10 minutes a game.

It might have to do with the minutes for sure. Also, make sure your penalties per game is realistic. you should be aiming for 4-5 penalties a game on avg for each team.

If there's too many PPs, your 4th liners will barely get ice time....just like in real life. One game it's fine to get 8 PPs , but you dont want this for every game since the time on ice will be unbalanced.

[SlyBelle]

Kind of strange...I started a franchise and in my first game my 4th line got in on a couple of shifts. Only totaled 2-3 minutes, but at least something. In my prior games I was using the quick games. Wonder if something is different or I just got lucky.

Philly, I think your likely on to something. I think it has to do with the minutes I play, plus the PPs. I get fairly realistic number of PPs but I think those plus 6 min periods is making it difficult to find them ice time.

I'm hesitant to change my minutes because I don't always have time to play and I'm getting good stats.

[warriorhockey20]

how do you make it so you can change your lines manually??