Game Rules

USA Hockey Rules are enforced except: 

• Play with delayed offsides
• Icing the puck when shorthanded

Game Timing Rules

• Three 12-minute stop time periods for all 10U and 12U games. 
• Three 15-minute stop time periods for 14U and 16U
• If there is a 6-goal differential in the 3rd period, running time will begin.
• Stop time resumes if the goal differential falls below 6.
• Tournament organizers can change to running time due to unforeseen time issues.
• No time-outs, except in championship games (1-minute timeout allowed).
• Referees and staff can adjust game timing based on point system and game conditions.
• Teams may be required to start up to 20 minutes before the scheduled time; failure to do so may result in a forfeit.
• Teams must be ready on time, and games may start early.

Tournament Point System

• 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss.
• If a division has an odd number of teams, the team playing the extra game receives 75% of their total points.
• Semi-final and championship games are determined by the game score only (no point system).

Penalties and Discipline

Follows 2025-2026 USA Hockey Standard Rules of Play.

• Periods 12 minutes or less: 1:00 Minor, 3:00 Major, 3:00 Match, 6:00 Misconduct.
• Periods 12-17 minutes: 1:30 Minor, 4:00 Major, 4:00 Match, 8:00 Misconduct.
• Fighting results in ejection from the tournament.
• Tournament staff can enforce discipline at any time, regardless of penalties called during play.
• Forfeited games result in a 6-0 score unless the margin is larger at the time of forfeit.
• Zero tolerance for swearing by players, coaches, or parents. Violators may be banned from the rink.

Tie-Breaking in Division Standings

• Head-to-head result.
• Least total goals against.
• Least total penalty minutes (game misconducts for coaches count).
• Coin toss.

Championship Game Overtime

• 5-minute, 3-on-3, stop-time, sudden death overtime.
• Penalties in overtime result in a 4-on-3 power play. 
• If still tied, a three-round shootout will determine the winner.
• The higher seed (home team) chooses to shoot first or second.
• If tied after three rounds, a sudden death shootout continues in the same order until a winner is decided.
• Each player can only be used once in the shootout until all players on the bench have participated.