Tournament Information

USA Hockey Sanction #TCB112-021

1. General Information and Tournament Format

• After preliminary round play concludes, ALL teams will be placed in a playoff bracket based on the preliminary round standings. Two champions will be crowned, an overall Gold Champion and a Silver Champion.
• All teams will play a minimum of 5 games, 2 on Friday Aug 26th, 2 on Saturday Aug 27th, and a minimum of 1 on Sunday Aug 28th.
• As a condition of acceptance into the tournament, all teams must stay a minimum of 2 nights in a hotel property that the tournament has partnered with. More information on the available accommodations can be found by following the “Hotel Info” link.
• Liability for any injury occurring during tournament play or during travels related to the tournament will NOT be assumed by the Tournament Organizers, the Rochester ’97 Alliance Hockey Team, or the Rochester Youth Hockey League. In addition, the Tournament Organizers, the Rochester ’97 Alliance Hockey Team, nor the Rochester Youth Hockey League is responsible for lost or stolen equipment. Storage is at your own risk

2. Tournament Rules

The Game:
• USA Hockey rules will govern all tournament play.
• All games will consist of 15-15-15 minute stop-time periods.
• A three-minute warm-up will precede each game.
• NO TIMEOUTS are permitted in any preliminary round games.
• There will NOT be OVERTIME in any preliminary round games.
• Mercy Rule: If by, or at any time, during the third period one team is ahead by five (5) goals or more, running time will commence and will revert back only if the deficit is closed to three (3) goals.
• Games may begin up to 15 minutes prior to their scheduled start time.
• There will be no curfew in effect.

Penalties:
• This is a USA Hockey sanctioned tournament. All USA Hockey rules shall apply.
• Minor penalties - (2) min; Major penalties – (5) min; Game Misconduct - (10) min.
• Any player receiving FOUR penalties in one game will be ejected from the remainder of that game. (Although this tournament rule may seem severe, and unnecessary, we do this to prevent a player from receiving a 5th penalty, which, according to USA Hockey rules, results in a game misconduct and automatic suspension for the team’s subsequent game. We’d rather a player sit after 4 penalties than risk being suspended for the following game. We hope you understand.)
• Game misconducts will result in a one game suspension. Warranted or not, all referees decisions to issue Game Misconducts are final and will not be overturned.
• Match penalties and Gross misconduct will result in expulsion from the tournament.

Preliminary Round:
• Teams earn (2) pts for a win, (1) for a tie.
• Tiebreakers (in order):
- Head-to-head points earned. (2-way or 3-way ties if all teams have played each other)
- Highest win total
- Goal ratio or percentage to include ALL prelim-round games. (GF/GF+GA).
- Fewest goals allowed
- Goal Differential
- Fewest penalty minutes; preliminary round total.
- First goal scored in preliminary round game.

Playoffs:
• ONE (30) second time out per team is allowed.
• Coaches may submit shootout lineup after game completion.
• Games that end a tie are decided as follows:
- 4 on 4 sudden victory for 5 minutes (5:00) (defend same goal as 3rd period).
- 3 on 3 sudden victory for 5 minutes (5:00) (defend same goal as 3rd period).
- 5-player shootout.
- Sudden victory shootout (Every team player must be used prior to repeating shooting order).

General Rules:
• Teams MUST bring two sets of jerseys. The HOME team will wear their light colored jersey.
• USA Hockey or Hockey Canada roster no later than August 7th, 2009.
• All games will be officiated by officials registered with USA Hockey and NIHOA/RIHOA.
• Referees shall judge goals from the ice.
• ESL will resurface the ice before each game.
• Teams will be responsible for any damage to dressing rooms and other arena facilities. Please report any apparent damage directly to ESL personnel.
• Please obtain locker room keys from the front desk of ESL Sports Centre personnel.
• ESL Sports Centre will post locker room assignments on the schedule board located in the main lobby to the left as you enter the building.