Tournament rules

The tournament follows the current competition rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, supplemented by the special rules and exceptions presented here: www.finhockey.fi/index.php/component/k2/item/137-kilpailusaannot

Match Schedule

The tournament has 12 teams in one AAA level. The teams are divided into 2 groups.

Preliminary Round

In the preliminary rounds, all teams play one match against each other. Each team will have 5 matches in the preliminary round.

Placement Matches

Placement matches are played on Sunday, based on the standings from the preliminary round on Saturday. Each team will have 2 placement matches.

Points

A team gets 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. If two or more teams have the same points, the order of the teams is determined as follows:

Determination of Preliminary Round Standings

1. Points collected by the teams
2. Result of the match between the tied teams
   1. Result of the team against other tied points teams
   2. Goal difference in all matches
   3. Goals scored in all matches
   4. Draw

Preliminary round matches can end in a draw or a win for one team. Teams for the placement matches are determined based on the preliminary round standings.

Shootout for Continuation/Placement Matches

If continuation and placement matches end in a draw after regular time, a shootout will immediately follow. The shootout follows the competition rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association with the following exceptions. The visiting team listed in the match schedule starts the shootout. First, three shooters from each team are named for the shootout. If the result is still tied after three pairs of shooters, the shootout continues with a "sudden death" principle, one pair at a time. The home team shoots first. The same player cannot shoot twice until all players of the team have shot at least once in the shootout. The match is decided when one team's player scores and the opposing player does not.

Match Duration

The playing time is 2x15 minutes of effective playing time (maximum total time of 50 minutes). The break between periods is 1 minute. Placement matches are played to completion regardless of the total time.

Detailed Instructions for the Match:

• The official time of the tournament is the time shown on the clock on the wall of the hall.
• Teams must be ready 5 minutes before the start of the match.
• The match starts immediately after the ice resurfacing and the goals are set in place.
• Timeouts are not allowed.
• Celebrating on the ice is only allowed for the scoring line.

Forfeiture

If a team does not arrive on the field according to the schedule or does not finish the match, it is deemed to lose the match 5-0. The lateness limit is 10 minutes after the scheduled start time.

Penalties

• The tournament uses a 1-minute penalty.
• A game or match penalty received by a player automatically leads to a one-match suspension in the tournament. If the same player receives a second game or match penalty, it results in expulsion from the tournament.
• A game or match penalty received by officials for misconduct automatically leads to expulsion from the tournament.

Player Rotation, Rosters, and Records:

• The tournament aims for equal rotation of lines according to the junior rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.
• Rosters must be submitted electronically in advance by the specified deadline.
• The roster must be reported to the tournament office before the team's first game in the tournament if it differs from the one submitted in advance to the tournament organizers. Match statistics can be found on Gameresultsonline.

Eligibility and Use of Y-Players

• Players registered with the clubs or their umbrella clubs can participate in the tournament.
• Permission must be obtained in advance from the tournament organizers for the use of Y-players, with justifications.
• A field player can only play in one skill group participating in the tournament.

Referees

• The referees of the tournament are from the Helsinki Referee Club. There are 2 referees per match.

Disputes

• Possible protests are handled by the tournament jury. Only the team leader can make a protest. The jury can hear or take a statement from the head referee of the protested match. Protests must be submitted in writing to the tournament office no later than 30 minutes after the end of the match. The protest fee is €150, which is refunded if the protest is accepted.
• The tournament jury consists of Henrik Balk and Juho Karhumäki.

Accidents and Player Insurance

• The organizers have not insured the players and are not responsible for any accidents or injuries that may occur to the players. All players and officials participating in the tournament must be insured according to the rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. The tournament organizer will have first aid personnel on site. The organizer is not responsible for any thefts that may occur during the tournament.

Game Jerseys

• The home team listed in the match schedule plays in dark jerseys and the visiting team in light jerseys. If a team only has one set of jerseys, they must agree on the jersey colors with the opponent well in advance of the matches.

Awards

• The best team is awarded a trophy, and positions 1-3 receive medals. Additionally, after each preliminary round match, the best player of the match is awarded a "best player" prize. The best player is selected and awarded by the officials, not the team officials. After the match, the teams line up on the blue line, and the awarded player collects the prize from the penalty box door after the announcement.

Publication of Tournament Photos

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