Rules and Regulations

Regulations                                                    25.03.2024

EVU Lions Cup U14 2024

29-31.3.2024, Myyrmäki, Vantaa

The tournament follows the rules of the U14 age group of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association with the exceptions listed below. The jury of the tournament does not process referee reports, but they are directed to the disciplinarian of the respective team's area.

Players and jerseys

Tournament requires that the player holds a valid registration and license from its own hockey federation, including insurance.

If only one goalkeeper is assigned to the team and the goalkeeper is injured or sick, the team can borrow a  goalkeeper from another team in the tournament.

Teams may have so-called overage players in accordance with Finnish regulation. In AA-level the number is not limited, but the overage player may not have played any AAA games in the season, and the level of the player needs to match AA. For AAA maximum two (2) overage players are allowed. For goalies, overage (born in 2009) is allowed in the regulation.

The home team marked in the match program plays in dark jerseys and the team marked as the away team in light jerseys. If the team only has one set of jersey, the team agrees on the jersey colors to be used with the opponent well in advance of the games.

Games and penalties

The playing time is 2 x 18 minutes of effective playing time, the total playing time is 60 minutes. There is a 1-minute break between periods.

In case the game needs to be decided by shoot out (semi-finals, ranking matches), the total time is not used, but the matches are played until the end. The shots for the winning goal are taken immediately after the end of the effective playing time.

The teams must be in the box no later than 5 minutes before the start of the game. If the team is late for the start of the game, the game will be started according to the game schedule. Score will be in favor of the team that is on time in a 5-0 situation. The game ends according to the schedule according to the game program.

Time-outs are not allowed.

Warm-up is not allowed on the ice, the game starts immediately on the starting line-ups.

At the end of the game, 'shouts' are quickly performed on the blue line -no hand shaking.

In terms of game penalties, section 11.5 of the competition rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey League is followed.

Tournament system

The tournament has two series levels: AA and AAA.

At the AA level, the initial series of three teams is played in four groups. The top two in each group advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and placement games. The thirds of the groups play for places 9-12 in the four-team follow-up series.

At the AAA level, the preliminary series is played in two groups. After the preliminary series, a ranking game will be played in the second group with the team that reached the same place.

The winner gets two (2) points, in a tie both teams get one (1) point and the loser gets zero (0) points.

The group order is determined as follows:

1. Points

 2. Goal difference of group games

3. Goals scored in group games

4. Scores of mutual games

5. Goals scored in mutual games

6. Total penalty minutes in the group games

7. Lottery

When the rule settles the rankings for three or more tied teams only partially (some still tied), the rankings of the remaining teams are continued from the first regulation of the series (taking into account only the matches of teams still tied).

Shootout

When the game ends in a tie after the actual game time in a QF/SF and placement matches the game will be continued immediately with a winning shootout.

The shootout is started with three (3) different players per teams. The team coach informs the referee of the selected players immediately after the end of the playing time.

If the situation is still tied after three shots, the shootout is continued in pairs using the sudden death principle. With the sudden death principle, two shots are taken in the shootout - one player from each team until the winner of the match is determined. Any player, including those who already participated in the first phase, can take one of the shots in the second phase of the game until the match is decided or all players have already shot once.

The shootout is started by the away team.

Only the decisive goal is recorded in the final result of the match. The deciding goal is credited to the player who took the shot.

Language and interpretation

The main language of the tournament is Finnish. In case there are misaligned rules the Finnish version is followed. 

All the judges and officials are expected to be fluent in English.

Protests

Protests are handled by the tournament Jury, whose decision is final. Protests must be submitted in writing 10 minutes after the end of the match. The protest fee is 200 euros, which will be returned if the protest is accepted. The jury is made up of the tournament manager and two nominated Jury members. If necessary, the Jury will also hear the referee of the match. To accept the protest, the Jury must be unanimous in its decision. The jury is not obliged to explain its decisions.

Trophies and medals

The first-place team will be awarded with a trophy and medals. The second and third place team will receive medals. There are 20 medals per team. The awards will be handed out immediately after the team's last game on the ice.

Each team must nominate their team's MVP player no later than at the start of the team's last game, who will be awarded at the end of the last game.

Insurance

All players and team officials participating in the tournament must have a valid game pass (license) and insurance in case of accidents. The team managers of the teams are obliged to take care of this, but the tournament organizer can check it. The tournament organizer has not insured the players and is not responsible for injuries that occur during the tournament.

Right to changes

The organizer has the right to schedule and rule changes.