Rules

Rules

Sportia Matti Tournament 3 Jan. 2016

Teams

The tournament is intended for D2-age group teams representing the Finnish levels AA and AAA.

Tournament structure

In both groups, all teams play against each other once. In the AAA group, these qualifier matches are followed by placement matches for places 1-2 and 3–4, adding up to a total of four games for each team. The game time is 2 x 15 minutes; however, the maximum game duration is 45 minutes. In the final, the game time is also 2 x 15 minutes and a maximum of 45 minutes. If a game ends in a tie, the winner is decided by means of a shoot-out according to the Finnish Ice Hockey Association's competition rules.

If the teams have jerseys of the same colour, the team marked latter on the schedule (the 'visitor') needs to change jerseys. If this is not possible because the team only has one set of jerseys, the home team must change jerseys. The change of jerseys shall be agreed on between the teams in good spirit to support the progress of the tournament on schedule.

Game scoring and final standings

In the qualifier matches, the winning team gets two points. If a game ends in a tie, both teams get one point. The losing team gets no points. If, at the end of the qualifier round, two or more teams have the same amount of points, the standings shall be determined as follows:

• points from mutual games
• goal difference of mutual games
• goals scored in mutual games
• goal difference of all qualifier games
• goals scored in all qualifier games
• draw.

In the AA group, the qualifier standings are final.
In the AAA group, placement matches are played to determine the final standings. If a placement match ends in a tie, the winner is decided by means of a shootout. The shootout starts by three (3) players from both teams taking penalty shots. The first shot is taken by the visiting team's player. The players need not be named in advance. If the score is still tied after three rounds of shooters from both teams, the shootout continues with tiebreaker rounds observing the "sudden death" principle. These rounds start with the home team's player. All players (except the goaltender) must take at least one shot before anyone can come up for the second time. The game is won when one team's player scores and the other team's player in the same round doesn't.

Rules

The tournament observes the Finnish Ice Hockey Association's game rules and the regional rules for Häme with the following exceptions:

• The match duration is 2 x 15 minutes of effective game time. The maximum total game time per match is 45 minutes plus, in the placement matches, the possibly required shootout.
• Timeouts are not allowed.
• If a team is not ready to start a match according to the tournament schedule, it is deemed to lose the match with the score 5–0.
• Only the line-up that was on the ice when a goal was scored may cheer on ice after the goal.
• Referees are entitled to expel a person from the tournament due to inappropriate conduct.
• Missing a player's name or number from the game report does not entitle the opposing team to submit a protest.
• A player can only represent one team during the tournament.
• Players older than the official D2 age limit can be included in the team according to the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation's rules and regional regulations. Over-aged players who are entitled to play in the regional D2 series can play at the tournament.
• Game reports are based on player lists provided by the teams, and they are reviewed before the first match. If changes are made to the roster, the officials must be informed of this 30 minutes before the match.

Penalties

The Finnish Ice Hockey Association's rules regarding penalties shall apply. If a player is given two misconduct penalties during the tournament or a game misconduct penalty, the player is automatically suspended from one further game. A match penalty automatically leads to expulsion from the tournament.

Referees

The tournament's referees come from the association Tampereen Jääkiekkoerotuomarit. 

Accidents

Every player must have valid accident insurance. The tournament organiser does not assume liability for any accidents sustained by participating players or officials. However, there is a person with first-aid skills available throughout the tournament.

Changes

The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the tournament schedule and order of games for compelling reasons.

Prizes

The top three teams of both levels will be awarded. In addition, each team's top two players for the tournament and the MVP of both teams in each match will be awarded.

Protests and unclear issues

Protests shall be processed by the tournament jury, which consists of two representatives of the organiser and one representative of both teams involved in the protest case. The jury's decision is final. The protest fee is EUR 100, and it will be returned if the protest is accepted. Protests must be submitted in writing within 10 minutes of the end of the match and signed by the team manager.

Apart from the actual matches, the jury is also entitled to address breaches of rules and misconduct conducted by participating players, officials or spectators in the tournament area and its immediate proximity during the entire tournament.

The organiser's representatives in the tournament jury are Jari Jokirinne and Sami Lehmus.