No it isn't. It's like having a normal hockey OT period before dropping down to 3 on 3 or something. The runner on 2nd rule needs to completely go away. Having a tie after the 12th would be far superior to this nonsense.
I remember when Pavel Bure came to the Canucks. He knew very little English, yet did his best to give an interview anyway. It was certainly flawed, but the effort made him an immediate fan favourite.
I suspect it has more to do with not wanting people in the stands, and if the Jays are playing here, the pressure will be amped up to allow a packed house.