Rules

Rules

The tournament will follow the current U12 competition and game rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey League, junior rules and special rules of the region together with the tournament rules presented below.

Matches will be played 5 against 5, on a large rink, with a black puck and normal goals.

Possible exceptions to the rules, e.g. for older and girl players, must be presented before the tournament and approved by the tournament manager. 

Goalkeepers are allowed to play for several teams. However, in the semifinals, bronze- and gold-medal matches, they may only play for one team and for the team they previously played for during the tournament.

Venue and time

All matches of the tournament will be played on 17-19.4.2029 in the Matinkylä ice rinks. The dressing rooms are located in the halls and other dressing rooms of the sport park, from which each team will be assigned a dressing room. 

Match order

The tournament teams are divided into three series (AAA, AA, A). There are 16 teams in the AAA series, 20 in the AA series and 12 teams in the A series. The teams in the series are divided into groups of four or five teams, where they first play against each other. 

Placement matches

AAA (16 teams)

The 1st              ans 2nd placed teams in the groups (A-D) play for positions 1-8;

Quarter-finals: A1 vs B2 / C1 vs D2 / B1 vs A2 / D1 vs C2

The losers of the pairs play for positions 5-8 and the winners play for positions 1-4; 

Semi-finals and placement matches.

The 3rd and 4th placed teams in the groups (A-D) play for positions 9-16, according to the above game format.

AA (20 teams)

 The 1st             and 2nd placed teams in the groups (A-D) play for positions 1-8;

Quarter-finals: A1 vs B2 / C1 vs D2 / B1 vs A2 / D1 vs C2

The losers of the pairs play for positions 5-8 and the winners play for positions 1-4; 

Semi-finals and placement matches.

The 3rd placed teams in the groups will play for positions 9-12

The 4th placed teams in the groups will play for positions 13-16

The 5th placed teams in the groups will play for positions 17-20

A (12 teams)

The top two and the top two third placed teams in the groups will play for positions 1-8;

• 1st group winner vs 2nd group third
• 2nd group winner vs 1st group third
• 3rd group winner vs 3rd group runner-up
• 1st group runner-up vs 2nd group runner-up

The losers of the pairs play for positions 5-8 and the winners play for positions 1-4.

Semi-finals and placement matches.

Teams from the same preliminary group cannot face each other in the quarter-finals.

The 1st and 2nd placed teams from the same preliminary group cannot face each other in the semi-finals.

Others

The 3rd group third and the 4th placed teams in the groups will play a simple series of matches for positions 9-12.

The teams must have two separate sets of jerseys, a darker home jersey and a lighter away jersey. In the tournament schedule, the team marked as the home team will wear a darker jersey.

Changes to the team roster are only allowed in special cases (such as goalkeepers, injuries to several skaters). Exceptions will be approved by the tournament director.

The standings of the teams within the group phase will be decided by: Points (win 2, draw 1), points from head-to-head matches, goal difference from head-to-head matches, goals scored in head-to-head matches, goal difference, goals scored, less penalties, dice.

If the playoff match ends in a tie, a shootout will be held, with three different players from each team. If the score is still tied after this, the shootout continue one shooter at a time. The player who took the shot earlier may continue.

Game Time and Penalties

• Game time: 2 × 15 minutes effective playing time
• Maximum total game time: 50 minutes
• Intermission: 1 minute
• The total game time starts at the scheduled time unless otherwise announced by tournament management
• No time-outs are used
• Teams do not change sides between periods
• Minor penalty duration: 1 minute
• A game may end if the maximum total game time is reached.
• Semi-finals and medal games are played without a total time limit

Teams must be ready to play at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. The game starts immediately after ice resurfacing or the previous game ends.

If a team is not ready to start at the scheduled time, the game is awarded to the opponent with a 5–0 win.

Officials, Major Penalties

Referees

All games are officiated by referees appointed by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.

Penalties

Game misconduct penalties are handled in accordance with FIHA disciplinary regulations.

If necessary, the tournament jury will convene to review the incident.

A game misconduct penalty given to a team official for misconduct results in automatic removal from the tournament.

The tournament jury reviews every 5-minute major penalty + game misconduct as soon as possible after the game.

The jury may hear both teams and review video footage if available.

The jury has the right to suspend a player from the tournament after a single major penalty.

The FIHA disciplinary authority may impose additional suspensions beyond those decided by the tournament jury.

Jury and protests

A protest can be made by the team manager in charge. Any protests must be made in writing and addressed to the tournament jury within 15 minutes of the end of the match or the time when the violation is deemed to have occurred. 

The protest fee is 200 EUR, which will be refunded if the protest is accepted. The jury consists of the Tournament Manager, the series/hall manager, and one named member of the Helsinki Referees' Club. 

If necessary, the Jury will also hear from the match referee and/or the teams that played. In order to accept a protest, the Jury must be unanimous in its decision. The jury is not obliged to explain its decisions.

Responsibilities

The tournament organizers are not responsible for any accidents or other damages to the participating teams. Every player, coach and other parent actively participating in the team's activities must have a valid license and insurance.

Other

Kiekko-Espoo players are committed to the rules of the game, which include, among other things, polite behavior and respect for others. We require this from participating teams and their supporters. The tournament director has the right to remove a team member or supporter who is acting inappropriately from the tournament area after a warning, if necessary.

Results service and team lineups

The tournament results service is handled electronically at www.gameresultsonline.com, where you can find match schedules, teams and an electronic results service. Each team is obliged to notify the tournament organizer of their team lineups in advance in a separately instructed manner. Any changes to the lineups must be made at the tournament office no later than 30 minutes before the start of the match.

The team is obliged to provide the information of the team's responsible coach, guardian and team manager to the tournament service. And the same information, including contact information (email and phone number), to the tournament office before the start of the tournament.