Regulations
1. All Teams must be rostered with USA Hockey, the Canadian Hockey Association or the appropriate IIHF affiliate.
2. Teams are required to bring their official team roster or player cards, as well as, their travel permit (if required by their governing body) to each game.
3. Players and coaches should report to the arena at least one hour prior to each games to sign in.
4. A maximum of four team officials may be on the player’s bench at one time. Additionally, each team will provide a penalty box official.
5. All teams must be prepared to begin any game 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
6. In most instances the home team will wear white jerseys and visitors wear dark. If a team has 2 sets, it is strongly recommended that they bring both sets to each game.
Scoring Rules
1. All divisions will be scored 2 pts for a win, 1 pt for a tie, and 0 pts for a loss per game.
2. Any forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score. Any forfeited games affecting another team’s playoff status, may be reviewed by the tournament director to determine which teams advance beyond preliminary round play. Use of ineligible players will disqualify a team from the tournament. All games played by a disqualified team will be forfeited. No monies will be refunded.
3. If a team is down by 5 or more goals in the 3rd period, running time will commence. If the gap is closed to three goals, stop time will resume. The maximum goal differential attainable per game is +/- 6.
Officials
1. All Tournament officials are current members in good standing of USA Hockey and are deemed qualified to officiate at the level of play assigned.
2. A zero tolerance for verbal abuse is in effect and will be enforced for all team officials, players, and spectators.
3. Appropriate penalties will be assessed for disputing or arguing a decision of the officials, any visual demonstration of dissatisfaction, or for the use of obscene or vulgar language to anyone at anytime during the tournament.
4. Please keep in mind that the tournament director does not have the authority to reverse the decisions of the game officials.
USA Hockey Rules
1. This tournament is sanctioned by USA Hockey. The following USA Hockey rules may not be familiar to teams from other IIHF affiliates.
a. Any player receiving 5 or more penalties in 1 game must sit the following game.
b. If a team receives 15 or more penalties in one game, the head coach must sit the following game.
c. There is no center ice red line except for icing.
d. There is NO off-sides tag-up rule.
e. Canadian teams are required to wear mouth guards and neck guards according to the rules of their governing body.
f. Anyone receiving a game misconduct must sit the next game.
g. Anyone receiving a match penalty is disqualified from further play.
2. The acting tournament director (ATD) reserves the right to take measures necessary to ensure a safe tournament for the participants including the modification of any rule(s) herein which is deemed by him/her to be in the tournament’s best interest. Decisions of the acting tournament director are final.
Game Format
1. 3 minute warm-up. Teams will play 12-12-15 minute stop time periods.
2. In the event a Quarter, Semi or Final game should end in a tie, the tie will be broken in the following manner: 4 on 4 for 3 minutes running time, 3 on 3 for 3 minutes running time, a 5 player shootout, a sudden death shoot out consisting of players who have not participated in the 5 player shootout. If a penalty is assessed the non-penalized team will add a player for a power play.
3. Each head coach will designate five shooters to represent the team in the shootout prior to the game with an asterisk by their names on the score sheet. If a designated player is either injured or serving a penalty, the coach must chose another player to participate in the shootout. Each designated shooter for both teams will alternate shots, home team first, with all 10 players shooting unless the advantage by one team is out of reach. If the score remains tied, new players will participate in a sudden death shoot out with the visiting team shooting first. The players in the 1st group of 5 may not shoot again until all other eligible players on their team have had a turn. Goalie are not eligible.
Quarters, Semi’s, & Finals
1. Please refer to tournament scoreboards or speak to a tournament official in order to determine the playoff format for each division. It is incumbent upon the team officials to confirm with a Tournament representative whether or not their team has advanced beyond preliminary round play prior to leaving the arena following their final preliminary round game.
2. Tiebreakers - To determine teams advancing to the semi & final rounds. If more than 2 teams are tied, as soon as the tie is broken, the tie breaker is reapplied to any remaining ties.
a. Head to Head Competition - Direct play between two tied teams.
b. Goal Differential - The team with the greater goal differential will advance.
c. Fewest Goals Against
d. Lowest Total Penalty Minutes
e. Coin Toss
3. One, 30 second time out per team, per game, is allowed for semi-final and final games.
4. These rules may be amended prior to the tournament to coincide with any changes in
the tournament format.