Tournament rules

Tournament Format

• The tournament consists of 9 teams competing at AAA level.

Preliminary Round (Round Robin)

• In the preliminary round, all teams play once against each other.
• Each team will play a total of 8 preliminary round games.

Final Standings

• Places 5–9: Final ranking is based solely on the preliminary round standings.
• Places 1–4: 
  • The Final is played between the teams ranked 1st and 2nd in the preliminary round.
  • The Bronze Medal Game is played between the teams ranked 3rd and 4th.

Points System

• Win: 2 points
• Draw: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points
• If two or more teams are tied on points, the ranking is determined in the following order:
  • Result of the head-to-head match
  • Goal difference from all matches
  • Goals scored in all matches
• Preliminary round games may end in a draw or a win for either team.

Shootout in the Final and Bronze Game

• If the game is tied after regulation time, the outcome is decided immediately by a shootout.
• The shootout follows the Finnish Ice Hockey Association competition rules with the following exceptions:
  • The away team listed in the schedule shoots first.
  • Each team initially nominates three shooters.
  • If the score is still tied after three rounds, the shootout continues in a sudden-death format, one shooter per team at a time.
    • The home team shoots first in the sudden-death phase.
    • The same player may not shoot again until all team players have taken at least one shot.
  • The game is decided when one team scores and the opposing shooter does not.

Game Duration

• Playing time: 2 × 15 minutes effective playing time
• Maximum total game time on the schedule: 40 minutes
• Intermission between periods: 1 minute
• The Bronze Game and the Final will be played to completion regardless of the scheduled maximum time.

Additional Game Procedures

• The official tournament time is the clock displayed in the ice arena.
• Teams must be ready 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the game.
• The game starts immediately after ice resurfacing and the goals have been set in place.
• Timeouts are not allowed.

Forfeits

• If a team does not arrive at the rink according to the schedule or fails to complete a game, the team will lose the game 5–0 by forfeit.
• The maximum delay allowed is 10 minutes after the scheduled game start.

Penalties

• 1-minute penalties are used in the tournament.
• A game misconduct or match penalty automatically results in a one-game suspension.
• A second game or match penalty for the same player leads to exclusion from the tournament.
• A game or match penalty given to team officials for misconduct leads to immediate exclusion from the tournament.

Player Deployment, Rosters and Game Reports

• Teams are expected to follow fair line rotation principles according to FIHA junior rules.
• Team rosters must be submitted electronically in advance by the given deadline.
• If a roster differs from the one submitted earlier, it must be submitted to the Tournament Director before the team’s first game.

Match statistics are published in Gameresultsonline.

Player Eligibility and “Y-Players”

• Only players registered to the participating clubs or their umbrella organizations are eligible.
• Permission for “Y-players” (guest players) must be applied for in advance with justification from the tournament organizer.
• A skater may play in only one skill group in the tournament.

Referees

• All referees are appointed by the Helsinki Referees’ Association.
• Each game is officiated by two referees.

Protests and Jury

• All protests are handled by the Tournament Jury.
• The Jury consists of Henrik Balk and Juho Karhumäki.
• Only the team manager may file a protest.
• The Jury may request a statement from the referee in charge of the relevant game.
• Protests must be submitted in writing to the tournament office within 30 minutes after the game has ended.
• The protest fee is 150 €, which will be refunded if the protest is upheld.

Accidents and Insurance

• The organizers do not insure the players and are not responsible for injuries or accidents.
• All participating players and team officials must be insured according to FIHA regulations.
• First-aid personnel will be present at the tournament.
• The organizer is not responsible for thefts during the event.

Team Jerseys

• The team listed as home team in the schedule plays in dark jerseys.
• The away team plays in light-colored jerseys.
• If a team only has one jersey set, the jersey color must be agreed in advance with the opponent.

Awards

• The best team will receive a trophy.
• Teams placed 1st to 3rd will receive medals.

Use of Tournament Photos

• By registering and paying the tournament fee, the teams accept the following: The tournament organizer reserves the right to take photographs during the tournament and publish them online and on social media platforms.