RULES (Niagara Sports Tournaments)

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Tournament Rules

These are the general rules for our tournaments.  Specific Tournament rules will be sent to each team prior to each tournament.

General Information

  • All games will be played under WNY/USA hockey rules. This is a USA hockey sanctioned tournament. ALL players must be recognized by USA hockey or C.A.H.A/ OMHA. The use of any illegal or unauthorized played will result in immediate team expulsion from the tournament and the loss of all fees paid. Each player must sign in with registration before their first game. If any player is not there for the first game, they must sign in before the play.
  • All teams are guaranteed 4 games.
  • Teams / Officials must be ready to start games up to 15 minutes early.
  • We ask that all team managers bring 3 roster stickers per game to put on the scoresheets.
  • Car keys are required for dressing room keys in registration room. The locker room should be clean upon arrival. Your team is responsible for picking up after itself after use and reporting any damage to tournament officials. When room is cleaned by your team and tournament staff member checks it, and the key returned, your car keys will be returned. If damage to the dressing rooms occurs, teams will be responsible for full payment of damage before leaving the ice facility.
  • THE RULES COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY ANY RULE HEREIN WHICH IS DEEMED NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOURNAMENT OR AMATEUR HOCKEY. THE DECISION OF THE RULES COMMITTEE IS FINAL.

PERIODS LENGTHS

1/2 Ice Mites: 2-24 minute periods

Squirts 11-11-11
Peewees 12-12-12
Bantams 13-13-13
Midgets 14-14-14


PENALTIES 
Squirt & Pee Wee
Minor penalties - 1:30 minutes / Major penalties - 4 minutes / Misconduct penalties - 8 minutes

  • Bantam & Midget

    • Minor penalties - 2 minutes / Major penalties - 5 minutes / Misconduct penalties - 10 minutes.

  • Game Misconduct - Player will be ejected for the remainder of that game plus their next scheduled game.


 All Match Penalties will be handled in accordance with USA Hockey. Upon receiving a Match Penalty, the PLAYER, COACH OR MANAGER will be suspended for the duration of the tournament. A Match Penalty hearing will take place prior to the end of the tournament. The PLAYER, COACH OR MANAGER charged will be notified of time and place of hearing for which they must be present. The Coach or Manager must come into the registration area immediately after the game to be told the time and date of the hearing. The hearing committee will include the Supervisor of Officials of the Tournament, the Tournament Chairman and one other tournament staff member. The Match Penalty committee will render its decision in writing, with copies sent to USA Hockey, the Home organization and the PLAYER, COACH OR MANAGER who received the match penalty. The hearing decision will be made prior to the conclusion of said tournament. It is the coach's responsibility to have this decision in hand before the tournament ends.  Any penalty for fighting or match penalty given will result in automatic suspension from the tournament.

PLAYING RULES

  • Only players and a maximum of 4 team officials will be permitted at the player's bench
  • In the event that a team obtains a 5-goal lead during the third period, stop time will be changed to running time. Stop-time will resume once the score is within 2 goals.
  • No timeouts are permitted in preliminary rounds
  • One 30 second time out is premitted in Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Finals
  • Home team will wear white Jerseys
  • Players and coaches should report to arena atleast 1 hour before scheduled game. 

SCORING FORMAT

  • All preliminary games are worth 5 points. 2 points will be awarded for the win. 1 points for a time.  Each period is also worth a point.  If the teams tie a period, they split the point. 
  • Any forfeited game will be recorded as 3-0, 5 points will be awarded to winning team.
  • Scores will be posted with a goal differential no greater than 7. 
  • All quarter finals, semifinals and final games are win to advance.  There is no point scoring


TIEBREAKER RULES

  •  Head to head 

  •  Fewest Goals allowed (total of all games).

  • Least Penalty Minutes (All misconducts will be assessed 10 minutes to the game sheet).

 

OVERTIME RULES FOR CHAMPIONSHIP AND CROSSOVER GAMES

  • There will be one five-minute "sudden death overtime" period consisting of 4 players from each team.
  •  Penalties will be played as 4 on 3. If the penalty killing team takes an additional penalty the power play team will gain a player making the advantage 5 on 3.
  •  Teams do not switch ends.
  • The ice will not be resurfaced.
  •  If the game does not end via a goal being scored, a shoot-out will be used. Each team will designate three players to participate who will take shots. USA hockey penalty shot rules will be used. The team scoring the most goals in the shootout round of the 3 shots will be the winner. 
  • If the game is still tied after three shooter, sudden death shoot-out round(s) occur.  If one teams scores and the other does not, the game is over.  You must use every player on your bench before a player can be use twice.'
  • The home team gets the option of shooting first or last.

 

Please remember that all USA and New York State Hockey rules apply during all tournaments.


Zero Tolerance is in effect for all coaches, players and spectators and will be strictly enforced by the referees. If unruly spectators are asked to leave and do not, the clock will begin to run until that spectator complies. Each team coach is responsible for his parents. Make sure that the parents understand that this rule will be strictly enforced. It may negatively affect your team.

Anything not covered above shall be directed to the Tournament Directors.  Niagara Sport Tournaments has the final say on any all matters.