OVERTIME RULES:   

• PRELIMINARY ROUND GAMES: SHOOTOUT (No Overtime)
  • If a game is tied at the end of regulation, a three man shoot-out will be held to determine a winner. Visitor team shoots first. If after the first three shooters, the score is still tied, a sudden death shoot-out (one skater each) shall continue until a winner is determined. All skaters on the players’ bench are required to shoot before a player may shoot for a second time.
  • NOTE: Any player serving a penalty at the end of regulation play is NOT eligible to participate in the shootout.
• SEMI-FINAL & CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: OVERTIME then SHOOTOUT
  • A five minute stopped time, 4 on 4, sudden death, overtime period will be played. If the score remains tied after the overtime, the above described shootout format will be used to determine a winner.

PENALTIES: 2 Minute MINOR, 5 Minute MAJOR, 10 Minute MISCONDUCT  

• Discipline For Excessive Penalties:
  • (4) Penalties carry an automatic game ejection (remainder of game).
  • Fighting WILL NOT be tolerated.  Any players involved in a fight as deemed by the game officials will receive an automatic game misconduct (1 game suspension)

TIMEOUTS: Each team is allowed (1) one minute time out per game.

EQUIPMENT: Players are required to follow USA Hockey equipment guidelines. Note: Certified hockey helmets must be worn.        

GAME RESULTS:   A maximum differential of six goals per game will be used for standings/tiebreaker purposes. ex. A score of 14-3 becomes 9-3; a score of 8-0 becomes 6-0.

PLAYING RULES HIGHLIGHTS

• Jersey colors: Home = Light;  Visitor = Dark
• No Checking is allowed.
• Icing is enforced.
• Slapshots are allowed.
• Tag up off sides.

STANDINGS:

STANDINGS WILL BE DETERMINED UTILIZING THE FOLLOWING POINT SYSTEM:

• Win in Regulation - 3 points
• Overtime / Shootout Win - 2 points
• Overtime / Shootout Loss - 1 point
• Loss in Regulation - 0 points

IF TWO OR MORE TEAMS HAVE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF POINTS, THE STANDINGS SHALL BE DETERMINED BY:

Step 1: Most Wins.

Step 2: Head to Head – The results in the games played between the tied teams. Note: If a team defeated the other team(s) that they are tied with, they will be ranked ahead of those other teams.

Step 3: Goal Differential – GOALS FOR minus GOALS AGAINST in all games played. Note: In a given game the goal differential will be a maximum of six (6) regardless of a greater goal differential (i.e. 15-2 would be counted as 8-2).

Step 4: Goals For.

Step 5: Goals Against.

Step 7: Average Differential – GOALS FOR divided by GOALS FOR plus GOALS AGAINST [GF/(GF+GA)].

Step 8: Coin toss.

RULES: USA Hockey playing rules are in effect except for some modifications listed below.

• All players are required to follow USA Hockey equipment recommendations.
• This is a non-checking event. Body checking is not permitted at any level.
• Slap shots are allowed at all levels.
• The red line will be used for automatic icing.
• The tag-up rule will be used for off-sides.
• Any team who willingly forfeits a game will not be eligible for semi-final or final games in the event, and may face future ineligibility at future USA Hockey events (Classics, Nationals, alternative playing opportunities).

Age Requirement

All players must be at least older than the age of 21.  The age division requirement rule does not apply to those individuals who are 20 about to turn 21.  Players must be at least 21 on the start date of the tournament.

All players must meet age division requirements, with the exception of goalies, who can be up to 5 years below their age bracket.

Player ages will be determined by calendar year. No age waivers will be granted. (ex: A player 29 years old is eligible to play in a 30+ division as long as he/she turns 30 by December 31 of 2022).

Illegal players and teams:

• Any player(s) that participated at any time during the current season (after September 1st) at any elite professional level (NHL, AHL, Europe) or on an NCAA Division I or III team are NOT eligible for this tournament.
• Any player(s) who participated in any other professional leagues (ECHL, CHL, IHL, UHL, SPHL, and AAHA) after December 31st of the current season are NOT eligible to for this tournament.
• If it is determined by the tournament director(s) at any point during the preliminary round games that a team (in the Silver division and below) as a whole are far above their competition that team will be permitted to play the three game guarantee, but will receive a 1-0 forfeit loss for those games and will not be permitted to advance to the championship round.
• All Players on the roster must play in at least one preliminary round game to be eligible for the playoff round.  
• Players may only play on one team in the tournament.  Players cannot play for multiple teams in multiple divisions. Exceptions may be made for goaltenders in extenuating circumstances. 
• Game officials (referees) working games in the tournament are NOT PERMITTED to play for any team in the divisions that they officiate.  

*THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR(S) RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS REGARDING TOURNAMENT RULES, FORMAT, ETC. FOR THE OVERALL GOOD OF THE EVENT.  

Because USA Hockey’s website and social media platforms are visible to hockey fans of all ages (e.g. children of participants that go to the website to see if their mom or dad won that day), team names must not be offensive to any particular group or individual. While we encourage and enjoy creativity, we will not post team names online that may be sexually suggestive, discriminatory, or harassing in any way. USA Hockey will review all team names and, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to reject any team name or modify any team name deemed offensive by either abbreviating or shortening the name. Thank you for your cooperation in being respectful to all hockey players and fans.