Tournament Rules and Regulations

1. This is an OMHA sanctioned tournament in which OMHA and OHF rules apply. An OMHA representative will be available during the tournament to answer any questions regarding OMHA policies and procedures.

2. This is a non-contact tournament for U13 divisions and below.

3. By entering this tournament, the coach or manager, on behalf of their team, releases the Garden City Minor Hockey Association (GCMHA) and Niagara Sports& Entertainment (NSE), the Tournament Committee and all officials, referees, sponsors, volunteers, arena management and all concerned with the tournament from any and all liability of injury or accident which may be incurred by any player or team official while participating in coming to or going from the tournament.

4. Suspension rules used for the tournament will be the same as found in the OMHA Manual of Operations (or OHF). All divisions with teams only from the OMHA will use the OMHA Minimum Suspension List. All divisions with one or more teams from outside the OMHA (Alliance, GTHL, HEO, USA Hockey, etc.) will use the OHF Minimum Suspension List. It is the offending team’s responsibility to ensure that all tournament suspensions and carry-over suspensions are adhered to. Violations during the tournament will result in the forfeiture of the affected games. The Tournament Committee will assist if there are any questions or clarifications regarding rule and suspension interpretations.

5. Interpretation all of rules and regulations will be at the discretion of the Head Convener. All of decisions made by the Head Convener will be final.

6. A total of 17 players, 2 goalies and 5 team officials may be signed to an entry form. All players must be registered on an official approved roster or approved AP list.

7. Each team will carry home and away jerseys. Home will wear light and visitors will wear dark. In the event of a conflict, the home team will change sweaters.

8. A member of the coaching staff must report to the arenas’ tournament office to complete a game sheet prior to each game.

9. Only carded persons are allowed on the bench. Each OMHA team must have a carded trainer.

10. There will be a 3 minute warm-up prior to each game. The clock will start the warm-up when the first team steps on the ice.  

11. In the event that a game cannot be played due to mechanical breakdown of arena equipment or any unforeseen facility related event, a 1-1 tie will be awarded and a financial return of $100 will be give to the affected teams.
 
12. Game times will be as follows:

U9 to U13
Round Robin ‐ 10‐10‐15 minute periods / No Overtime / No Time‐Outs.
Semi‐Finals ‐ 10‐10‐15 minute periods / 5 minute (3-on-3) Sudden Victory Overtime period if necessary / Shootout if necessary / 1x30 second Time‐Out per team per game.
Finals ‐ 10‐10‐15 minute periods / 5 minute (3-on-3) Sudden Victory Overtime period if necessary / Shootout if necessary /  1x30 second Time‐Out per team per game.
2 Referees in all games

U14 and U15
Round Robin ‐ 10‐15‐15 / No Overtime / No Time‐Outs.
Semi‐Finals ‐ 10‐15‐15 minute periods / 5 minute (3-on-3) Sudden Victory Overtime period if necessary / Shootout if necessary / 1x30 second Time‐Out per team per game.
Finals ‐ 10‐15‐15 minute periods / 5 minute (3-on-3) Sudden Victory Overtime period if necessary / Shootout if necessary / 1x30 second Time‐Out per team per game.
2-3 Referees in all games (Please Note: Depending on referee availability, some U14 and U15 games may only have 2 referees)

13. If necessary, after the overtime, there will be a three player shoot out controlled by the referee conducted in the same manner as a penalty shot. The home team will have the option to shoot first or second. If no winner is declared, each team will choose a fourth player to shoot. This formula will continue until a winner is declared. No player may shoot a second time until the entire roster has shot, regardless of the size of the roster. For statistical purposes, the winner of the shoot out will receive credit for 1 goal added to the score of the game after the overtime.

14. Standings will be determined with 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.

15. To help move the tournament along in a timely manner, all teams are expected to be ready to play 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game time. 

16. If the tournament is running behind for unforeseen reasons and a game is at risk of going past curfew, the game may need to use 'straight time' to ensure that the game finishes on time, regardless of the score. The convener at the designated rink will make sure both teams are aware if this needs to happen.

17. It is common to have coaches and/or parents approach the Tournament Committee protesting a suspension penalty issued by a referee. It must be emphasized to all coaching staffs and parents that the Tournament Committee cannot and will not overturn any penalty issued before, during or after a game regardless of the circumstances. The suspension appeal process can be found in the OMHA Manual of Operations. The tournament referees are not affiliated to the Garden City Minor Hockey Association or the Niagara Sports & Entertainment in any way. They are their own organization.

18. Parents and guests are the responsibility of the team. Inappropriate parent or guest behaviour towards the competing team, any children, referees, coaches, arena staff, tournament staff, OMHA staff and/or other parents may result in the expulsion of the team from the tournament. Assistant Conveners will be present at each game to monitor behavior.

19. All tournament games must comprise 3 stop time periods scheduled as per OMHA Regulation 10.2a)& 10.2b). However when any team is ahead by five or more goals in the third period the tournament will utilize ‘straight time’. Any penalties, during this time, will be running time. In this situation the game will proceed under ‘straight time’ unless the gap is reduced to three goals, at which point the clock will revert back to stop time. The only time the clock would be stopped during time is if an on-ice injury should occur.

20. In the Semi-Final game, the Wildcard Team cannot play a team they have played in the Round Robin. The Wildcard opponent will be determined by a draw consisting of leftover pool winners.

21. In the Semi-Finals or Finals, the home team shall be the team with the most points during the round robin. If 2 or more teams have the same number of points, the tie breaking rules below shall apply. The Wildcard Team cannot be the home team in the Semi-Finals or Finals.

TWO (2) TEAM TIE BREAKING RULES

A ‐ Head to Head
Winner of the game between the two teams.
B ‐ Goal %
Highest % as calculated by: Goals For / (Total Goals For + Against)
C ‐ Highest Plus/Minus
Calculated as: Total Goals For – Total Goals Against
D ‐ Fewest Goals Against
E ‐ Coin Toss
Furthest traveling team calls the toss.

THREE (3) OR MORE TEAM TIE BREAKING RULES

This will determine the placing for all the top (tied) teams:
A ‐ Goal %
Highest % as calculated by: Goals For / (Total Goals For + Against).
B ‐ Highest Plus Minus (+/‐)
Calcuated as: Total Goals For – Total Goals Against.
If 2 teams remain tied, the 2 tied teams proceed to Two Team Tie Breaking Rules above.
If 3 or more teams remain tied, the 3 teams remaining tied move to tie breaker C.
C ‐ Fewest Goals Against
If 2 teams remain tied, the 2 tied teams proceed to Two Team Tie Breaking Rules above.
If 3 or more teams remain tied, the 3 teams remaining tied move to tie breaker D.
D ‐ Lottery Draw
Remaining tied teams names placed in a hat ‐ first team name drawn wins.

Good Luck.