Tournament rules & Jury

Rules

Tournament Rules The tournament follows the rules set by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (SJL) for U13 juniors, with the following exceptions:

Divisions and Team Jerseys The tournament consists of four divisions: AAA+, AAA, AA, and A.

The AAA+ division includes 6 teams, the AAA division 16 teams, the AA division 16 teams, and the A division 12 teams.

Teams must have two sets of jerseys: the home team wears dark jerseys, and the away team wears light jerseys. If necessary, the away team must change jerseys.

Each team will play a minimum of five (5) games.

A team representative must check in at the tournament office upon arrival and departure.

Game Days and Venue The tournament runs for three days, from Friday to Sunday, April 11-13. Games will be held at the practice hall in Matinkylä, Espoo, and at Ilmatar Arena, which is located next to the practice hall.

Overage Players and Teams

Exceptions may be allowed but must be agreed upon in writing with the tournament organizer in advance. Contact: Anna Elo, Blues12@kiekko-espoo.com.

Mixed teams require written approval from the tournament organizer.

Player Transfers Between Divisions

Players may be loaned from a lower division to a higher division and may return to their original team. However, all transfers must be reported in advance to the tournament office via email at blues12@kiekko-espoo.com.

A player may only move up and down once; after that, no further transfers are permitted.

Goalkeepers have more flexibility to move between teams but must also receive prior approval from the tournament office.

Game Time and Penalties

Each game consists of two (2) 15-minute periods of effective playing time, with a total game time (running time) of 45 minutes. The intermission is 1 minute.

In the preliminary round, a game may end during the second period if the total game time is reached.

In the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, an additional 5 minutes will be added to the total game time with period length of 2 x 15 minutes. If necessary, the winner will be decided by a shootout.

Teams must be ready at least 5 minutes before their game. Games begin immediately after icing or immediately after the previous game (icing after every other game). If a team is not ready at the scheduled starting time, they forfeit by 5-0.

Timeouts are not allowed due to the total game time limit.

Penalties of 1 minute, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes are in effect.

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

Game Misconduct Penalties

The tournament follows competition rule section 11: GAME SUSPENSIONS.

A Game Misconduct Penalty (PR) always leads to a disciplinary review and may result in a game or activity suspension. During the review process, the player may continue to play unless their cumulative behavioral penalties have been reached or if the PR was given at the end of the game.

A PR results in an automatic three (3) game suspension for an official. The disciplinary committee may impose a longer suspension if necessary.

In U14 and younger age groups, a PR given for violent conduct results in an automatic one-game suspension. The disciplinary committee may extend this suspension if needed.

A PR adds one mark to the player’s behavioral penalty record.

Tournament Format The tournament format varies slightly depending on the number of teams in each division.

AAA+ Division

Six teams play a single round-robin.

Final rankings determine playoff matchups: 1st vs. 2nd for the final, 3rd vs. 4th for bronze, and 5th vs. 6th for placement.

AAA and AA Divisions

Each has four groups of four teams.

Round-robin within each group (3 games per team).

Playoffs based on group rankings: Quarterfinals (1st place from one group plays 2nd place from another, etc.), then Semifinals, Finals, and a Bronze match.

Quarterfinal losers play placement matches.

Each team plays at least five (5) games.

A Division

Four groups of three teams.

Round-robin within each group (2 games per team).

Playoffs based on group rankings: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Finals, and Bronze match.

Quarterfinal losers play placement matches, while third-place teams compete in a round-robin for final standings.

Each team plays at least five (5) games.

Scoring System

Win = 2 points

Tie = 1 point

Loss = 0 points

Preliminary round games can end in a tie. In placement games, ties are settled by a shootout.

In a shootout, each team selects three shooters. If still tied, the shootout proceeds to sudden death, one pair at a time. The away team shoots first.

The detailed match schedule is available via the Game Results Online system.

Preliminary Round Ranking Criteria

Points

Goal difference in group games

Head-to-head points

Goals scored in group games

Head-to-head goal difference

Head-to-head goals scored

Coin toss

Tournament Jury, Major Penalties, and Protests

1. Referees

All referees are official referees from the Helsinki Referees' Association.

2. Penalties

Game misconduct penalties follow standard rules. If necessary, the jury will be convened to handle the cases.

3. Tournament Jury and Protests

Protests are handled by the tournament jury, whose decision is final.

Protests must be submitted in writing within 10 minutes of the game ending at the tournament office.

A protest fee of 200 euros applies, refundable if the protest is upheld.

The jury consists of Tournament Manager Kati Saastamoinen, Anna Elo, Maria Koskela-Kansanen, and referee Daniel Österholm.

The jury may consult game referees and/or involved teams.

Jury decisions must be unanimous and require no explanation.

4. Schedule Changes

The tournament organizers have the right to modify the schedule, match arrangements, and interpret these rules if necessary. Any changes will be communicated promptly to participating teams.

5. Tournament Spirit - Fair Play

Players, teams, and officials must demonstrate exemplary Fair Play behavior.

Spectators are encouraged to be supportive and positive role models for children.

Disruptive behavior may result in removal from the venue.

Team officials engaging in misconduct will be handled according to SJL rules.