Rules

TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Tournament rules are a translation from the Finnish language version of the rules. In case of discrepancy in the rules the Finnish one are those to be followed.

In the tournament, the rules for SJL U12 juniors as set by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (SJL) shall be followed, with the following exceptions:

Divisions and Game Uniforms

There are three division levels in the tournament: AAA, AA, and A.

The AAA division will include 16 teams, AA division 16 teams, and A division 12 teams.

Teams must have two separate game uniforms, and the team designated as the away team will change their jersey if necessary; the home uniform is dark and the away uniform is light.

Each team will play six games.

The team’s contact person must check in at the tournament office upon arrival and departure from the tournament.

Match Days and Venue

The tournament takes place over three days, from Friday to Sunday, April 18–20, 2025.

The venue is the practice hall located in Matinkylä, Espoo, and the Ilmatar arena, which are right next to each other.

Overage Players, Teams, and Player Transfers

Teams may include so-called overage players in accordance with the competition rules and regional regulations.

Similarly, exceptions made by the Association for current division game teams will be taken into account. These must be agreed upon with the organizer in advance.

For combined teams, written permission must be obtained from the tournament organizer.

Registered players on the teams that have signed up for the tournament may participate. A player may represent only one team during the tournament.

Goalkeepers may play for any team within their own club participating in the tournament. However, in placement games, a goalkeeper is required to have played at least one game in the preliminary round for that team.

Goalkeepers may move more freely between teams, but this must also be agreed upon in advance with the tournament office.

Playing Time and Penalties

In tournament games, the playing time is 2 x 15 minutes of effective time, with a total game time of 50 minutes. The intermission between periods is 1 minute.

A game may end in the preliminary round during the second period if the total time has been used. For the semi-finals and medal games, 5 extra minutes are added to the total game time, while the period playing time remains 2 x 15 minutes, and if needed, a shootout will be used to determine the winner.

Teams must ensure they are ready well before the start of their game (at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time). The game will begin immediately after the ice is resurfaced or the previous game has ended.

If a team is not ready to start when the game is scheduled to begin, the team will be penalized with a 5–0 loss. For overall time reasons, the use of a time-out is not permitted.

The game will also end immediately if the goal difference reaches 15 goals.

Tournament Format

In each group, the playing format differs slightly due to the varying number of teams.

AAA Division:

There are four groups of 4 teams. In each group, a simple round-robin is played (3 games). The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals and play for placements 1–8, and the teams finishing third and fourth in the groups play placement games for positions 9–16.

AA Division:

There are four groups of 4 teams. In each group, a simple round-robin is played (3 games). The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals and play for placements 1–8, and the teams finishing third and fourth in the groups play placement games for positions 9–16.

A Division:

There are three groups of 4 teams. In each group, a simple round-robin is played (3 games). The top two teams from each group as well as the two best third-place teams advance to the quarterfinals. The worst third-place team and the teams finishing fourth in the groups will play a round-robin to determine placements 9–12.

In all divisions, each team plays six games.

A win earns 2 points, a tie 1 point, and a loss 0 points.

In the preliminary rounds, games may end in a tie. In the placement games, if a game is tied at the end, a shootout is played. In the shootout, each team’s coach nominates three shooters and then a one-round, sudden-death method is used with 1 pair at a time. The away team starts the shootout. The coach of each team decides the order of the shooters.

A detailed game schedule is available in the results service system.

In the preliminary rounds, team standings are determined as follows:

Points:

Goal difference in group games

Goals scored in group games

Points in head-to-head games

Goal difference in head-to-head games

Goals scored in head-to-head games

Drawing of lots

Tournament Officials, Major Penalties, and the Jury

Officials:

The games will be officiated by SJL referees.

Penalties:

In terms of in-game match penalties, the competition and disciplinary rules under the section MATCH PENALTIES are to be followed. If necessary, the jury will be called in to handle the situation.

A penalty given to an official for misconduct will automatically result in exclusion from the tournament.

A penalty given to a player will automatically result in a one-game suspension during the tournament.

The tournament jury will review every 5-minute plus penalty as soon as possible after the game. The jury will, if necessary, hear both teams and review the situation on video if possible. The jury has the right to exclude a player from the tournament as a consequence of a single major penalty. The tournament director will notify the team manager of the penalized player as soon as possible, and if the penalty leads to exclusion from the tournament.

If the same player receives a second 5-minute plus penalty during the tournament, it will automatically result in the player’s dismissal from the tournament.

A penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct will result in one demerit mark on the player’s record.

Protests:

Referee decisions are final, and there is no possibility for protests during the tournament.

Changes to the Game Schedule:

The tournament organizer has the right to change the schedule and game program as well as interpret these rules if special reasons require it. Any changes will be communicated immediately to the participating teams.

Insurance, Accidents, and Fair Play

Insurance and Accidents:

The organizers do not insure the players and are not responsible for any accidents or injuries that may occur. All players and officials participating in the tournament must be insured according to SJL rules. The organizer is not responsible for any thefts that may occur during the tournament.

Tournament Spirit – Fair Play:

Teams, players, and responsible persons are expected to exhibit exemplary Fair Play behavior. Spectators are also requested to behave supportively, positively, and set a good example for the children.

Due to disruptive behavior, the organizer may remove a person from the hall. Misconduct by team officials will be handled in accordance with SJL rules.

Leijonat - Finhockey - Competition Rules 2024-2025: Leijonat - Finhockey - Competition Rules 2024-2025