Tournament Rules
This is a no body checking tournament for all divisions.
Games may start up to 15 minutes early.
All games, including semis and finals will have:
A 5-Goal Mercy Rule. The clock will run in the 3rd period if there is a 5 goal gap or greater. If the team catches up to less than a 5 goal lead, stop-time will resume. The clock will stop in case of injury. The score clock and tournament standings will not show or record any score above a 5-goal difference. This rule applies to all divisions, U9 to U21.
A "3-goal cap per player" rule. For U9 to U18, players who score more than 3 goals in regulation play will have the additional goals called back. For games with overtime, the 3 goal cap does not apply to overtime, the player may score a 4th goal in overtime. The 3-goal-cap does not apply to U21.
A "3-minor-penalties and you are out of the game" rule. Upon receiving the 3rd minor penalty in the same game, the player will be sent to the change room for the duration of that game (does not carry over). This rule applies to all divisions, U9 to U21.
Team officials or players ejected in the last 10 minutes of the 3rd period will be automatically suspended for the next game. This does not apply to the above mentioned 3-and-out rule. The 3 and out is for that game only. This rule applies to all divisions, U9 to U21.
SPECTATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BENCH AREA, TIMEKEEPER BOOTH, OR REFEREE ROOMS. ANY SPECTATOR WHO ENTERS THE TIMEKEEPER BOOTH WILL CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE STOPPAGE IN PLAY AND THE SPECTATOR WILL BE EJECTED FROM THE FACILITY.
GENERAL POLICIES
All rules and regulations for the tournament will follow those of Hockey Canada, the Ontario Hockey Federation and Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario. The tournament is for recreational house league and local league teams only.
Electronic game sheets will be used for all games using iPads and the GameSheet App. Coaches will be required to confirm their rosters and jersey numbers prior to the first game.
Affiliated Players (AP) players must be on your submitted roster to be allowed to participate (e.g. AP Goalies). No affiliated player may play in the semi-final or championship game unless they have played in at least one game of the round-robin preliminary. Any team found using an ineligible participant during the tournament shall be automatically disqualified.
All teams are required to wear equipment as mandated by their sanctioning body. Neck guards are required by all teams per OHF, ALLIANCE, and OMHA regulations.
Teams may have no more than five (5) officials on the bench. One must be designated (and approved on the submitted roster) as the trainer. Only the trainer is allowed on the ice in the case of an injured player.
GAME FORMAT
Preliminary Rounds: 10-10-12 minute periods / no time outs / no overtime
Semi-Final and Championship Rounds: 10-10-12 minute periods / 1 x 30 second timeout per team / with overtime (see below)
Points will be awarded as follows:
» Two (2) points for a win
» One (1) point for a tie
» Zero (0) points for a loss
Curfew: Curfews may arise during preliminary round-robin games.
TIE BREAKERS
Upon completion of the preliminary round, if two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the round robin, the following will be used to determine the ranking:
1. Head to Head. If teams are tied and they played each other in the preliminary round, the team that won the game will be awarded a higher position in the standings (does not apply if more than two teams are tied).
2. Most Wins. The team with the most WINS between the tied teams will be awarded the higher position.
3. Least Goals Against. If still tied, the team with the least goals scored against them will be awarded the higher position.
4. Least Penalties. If still tied, the team with the lowest cumulative penalty minutes will be awarded the higher position. Both minor and major penalties will be counted. A game misconduct will be counted as 10 minutes.
5. Coin Toss. If still tied after the application of all of the above, the Tournament Committee will decide the final standings by a coin toss.
Should a team default its scheduled game(s), its opponent(s) will be awarded a 1-0 win.
Players are not allowed onto the ice until after the Zamboni doors are shut and the referees have taken the ice.
Flooding of the ice surface will occur at the end of each game.
Team Colours: If opposing teams have the same colour jerseys, the visitors will be asked to change jerseys. If the visitors only have 1 colour set (as not all teams have two sets) the home team shall accommodate by changing their jerseys.
DIVISION BREAKDOWN
U9 - 2 Pools. Teams will play a 3 game round-robin. The top 2 teams in each division will advance to the semi finals. 1st in Pool A vs 2nd in Pool B, and 2nd in Pool A vs 1st in Pool B. Winners of the semi-final rounds will advance to the championship game.
U11 - 3 pools. Teams will play a 3 game round-robin. The top team in division will advance to the semi finals, seeded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall, based on their standings and any tie-breaker rules. A wildcard team will then be chosen from the remaining teams, based on points and any tie-breaker rules. 1st overall will play the wildcard, and 2nd overall will play 3rd overall. The winners of these semi-final rounds will advance to the championship game.
U13 - 4 pools. After the round robin is complete, the top teams in the division will advance to the semi finals, seeded 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th overall, based on their standings and any tie-breaker rules. 1st overall will play 4th overall, and 2nd overall will play 3rd overall. The winners of these semi-final rounds will advance to the championship game.
U15 - 4 pools. After the round robin is complete, the top teams in the division will advance to the semi finals, seeded 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th overall, based on their standings and any tie-breaker rules. 1st overall will play 4th overall, and 2nd overall will play 3rd overall. The winners of these semi-final rounds will advance to the championship game.
U16 - 1 pool. Teams will play a 4 game round-robin, with the top 2 teams overall advancing to the finals. As there are 4 games in the round robin, there will be no semi-finals in this division.
U18 - 3 pools. After the round robin is complete, the top teams in the division will advance to the semi finals, seeded 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th overall, based on their standings and any tie-breaker rules. 1st overall will play 4th overall, and 2nd overall will play 3rd overall. The winners of these semi-final rounds will advance to the championship game.
U21 - 1 Pool. Teams will play 2 games on Friday and be seeded 1-7. 1st will have a bye to the semi-finals. 2nd to 7th will play in the quarter finals (2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th, 4th, vs 5th) where winners will advance to the semis. Winner of the semi-final games will advance to the championship game.
OVERTIME
Overtime will occur in the semi-final and championship games only. Teams will not change ends.
Penalties will carry over from the end of regulation into overtime.
If at the end of regulation play the game is tied, the following overtime format will occur:
5 minute 3 on 3: There will be a 5-minute, 3-on-3, stop-time, sudden death overtime. Teams must start with 3 skaters and 1 goaltender. Teams may change on the fly. Teams may pull their goaltender once play begins. Penalties will be called.
Shootout: If the game is still tied at the end of the 3-on-3, teams will move a shootout. Each team will have 3 shooters. The shooters must be listed in the electronic game sheet prior to the game. Goaltenders cannot be changed during the shootout except due to injury. The team with the best out of the 3 shots will win the game. Shootouts will take place simultaneously.
If, after 3 shooters the game is still tied, it moves to a sudden death shootout; meaning the next goal wins. Coaches will choose from the remaining players on their list. All players on the bench must have the opportunity to participate in the shootout before the first shooter can go again; and then it must follow the same player order through the list until a winner is declared.
Players in U9 to U18 who have reached their three-goal cap during regular play are free to score during overtime.
Any player serving a penalty at the end of the 3-on-3 may NOT participate in the shootout. This applies to all divisions.
CHANGE ROOMS AND CORRIDOR ACCESS
Teams must vacate their change room within twenty (20) minutes following their game.
Female players will be assigned a separate (girls only) change room. Additional special requests for change-room access can be accommodated by contacting the tournament office prior to the start of the tournament.
At no time will any coaches, players, parents, or spectators be allowed in or near the referee room(s). NO EXCEPTIONS. Only the timekeepers or tournament convenor(s) are allowed to meet with the on-ice officials.
Any damage done to the facilities by a player or team official will involve their immediate removal from the tournament. Teams will be responsible for payment of any damage done to the facilities by any of their players or team officials. Damage claims from the City of St. Catharines will be forwarded to the responsible association for payment at a minimum invoice of $750 plus repairs, parts, and labour.
DISCIPLINE
There is no body checking allowed in any division, U9 to U21.
St. Catharines Zero Tolerance and R-Zone Policy will be enforced.
Hockey Canada Maltreatment rules will be enforced. There is ZERO tolerance for any offensive language, or antagonistic gestures towards a referee, tournament official, team official, timekeeper, player, or coach.
THREE (3) MINOR PENALTIES IN A GAME WILL RESULT IN BEING EJECTED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE GAME FOR ALL DIVISIONS.
Any and all fighting majors, match penalties, and gross misconduct penalties will result in immediate expulsion from the tournament and will be reported to the team’s governing body. Players receiving a suspension during tournament play must serve the OHF code mandated number of games, starting with their next tournament game or sanctioning body game. Players receiving suspensions during league games prior to entering the tournament are eligible to play in the tournament if their sanctioning body approves in writing to the tournament committee prior to commencement of the tournament.
Ejected players and/or ejected officials must remain in the change room or leave the playing area completely. They are not allowed to stay in the bench area.
Team officials or players ejected in the last 10 minutes of the 3rd period will be automatically suspended for the next game, U9 to U21.
This is a for-fun no-body-checking house league tournament. Abusive language toward officials, players, or anyone involved in the games or tournament will not be tolerated. Any abusive or bullying behaviour on or off the ice (physical and/or verbal) conducted by any player, team official, on-ice official, game official, or spectator will not be tolerated, and may result in the individual being ejected for the remainder of the tournament and/or removed from the facility.
The on-ice referee's decisions are final and cannot be protested or appealed.
CYO Minor Hockey has a ZERO tolerance policy towards abuse of on-ice officials. Any abuse towards an on-ice official by any player or coach, at any time, before, during, or after the game, will not be tolerated and will result in the individual facing immediate removal from the tournament and a possible maltreatment filing.
The Tournament Director and/or committee reserves the right to resolve any issues related to the tournament based on its interpretation of the Tournament Rules, and its determination of what is fair and appropriate under the circumstances.
All decisions by the Tournament Director and/or Committee are final.