Tournament rules

General Rules

The tournament is played in accordance with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (FIHA) U13 rules, with the following exceptions.

Divisions and Team Jerseys

The tournament consists of three divisions: AAA, AA and A.

• AAA division: 16 teams
• AA division: 16 teams
• A division: 12 teams

Each team must have two separate sets of jerseys.
The team marked as the home team plays in dark jerseys, and the visiting team in light jerseys.

Each team will play six (6) games during the tournament.

The team contact person must check in at the tournament office upon arrival and check out when leaving the tournament.

Tournament Dates and Venue

The tournament is a three-day event, held Friday–Sunday, 10–12 April 2026.

Games will be played at the Practice Rink and Ilmatar Arena in Matinkylä, Espoo. The arenas are located next to each other.

Over-age Players, Teams and Player Eligibility

Over-age players are allowed in accordance with FIHA competition rules and regional regulations. Any special exemptions granted by the federation regarding current league teams will also be taken into account.
These must be agreed upon with the tournament organizer in advance.

Combined teams require written permission from the tournament organizer.

Only players registered to the participating teams may take part in the tournament.
A player may represent only one team during the tournament.

Goaltenders may play for all teams from the same club participating in the tournament.
In placement games, a goaltender must have played at least one preliminary round game for the team in question.

Game Time and Penalties

• Game time: 2 × 15 minutes effective playing time
• Maximum total game time in preliminary rounds: 45 minutes
• After the preliminary rounds, total game time is extended by 5 minutes, making the total game time 50 minutes for playoff games
• 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 during the preliminary round if the maximum total game time is reached.

In semifinals and medal games, +5 minutes is added to the total game time. If the game is tied after regulation time, the winner is decided by a shootout.

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.

A game ends immediately if the goal difference reaches 15 goals.

Tournament Format

Due to different numbers of teams, the tournament format varies slightly between divisions.

AAA and AA Divisions

• Four (4) groups of four (4) teams
• Single round-robin within each group (3 games per team)

The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals and compete for places 1–8.
Teams finishing 3rd and 4th in their groups play placement games for places 9–16.

A Division

• Three (3) groups of four (4) teams
• Single round-robin within each group (3 games per team)

The top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams advance to the quarterfinals.

After the preliminary round, group winners, runners-up and third-placed teams are ranked separately.

Quarterfinal pairings:

• Winner 1 vs. Third-place 2
• Winner 2 vs. Third-place 1
• Winner 3 vs. weakest runner-up from another group
• Runner-up 1 vs. Runner-up 2 or 3

The weakest third-placed team and all fourth-placed teams play a single round-robin to determine places 9–12.

All teams will therefore play six (6) games.

Scoring System

• Win: 2 points
• Draw: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

Preliminary round games may end in a draw.

In placement games, if the game is tied after regulation time, the winner is decided by a shootout.

Shootout Rules

• Three (3) different shooters per team, nominated by the coach immediately after regulation time
• If still tied, the shootout continues one shooter at a time on a sudden-death basis
• Only the deciding goal is recorded as the final score
• The home team shoots first
• A player may not shoot again until all skaters on the team have taken a shot

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

Standings Criteria (Preliminary Round)

1. Points
2. Goal difference in group games
3. Goals scored in group games
4. Points in head-to-head games
5. Goal difference in head-to-head games
6. Goals scored in head-to-head games
7. Draw lots

Officials, Major Penalties and Jury

1. Referees

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

2. Penalties

Penalties are applied according to the current FIHA U13 competition and special rules, as well as the IIHF Rulebook.

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.

If a player receives a second 5-minute major + game misconduct during the tournament, the player is automatically suspended for the remainder of the tournament.

In U14 and younger age groups, a game misconduct for violent behavior results in an automatic suspension for the next game. The disciplinary authority may impose a longer suspension if deemed necessary.

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

3. Protests

Referee decisions are final. No protests are allowed in the tournament.

Right to Make Changes

The tournament organizer reserves the right to make changes to the game schedule, game times, rink assignments and the number of games played if circumstances beyond the organizer’s control affect the tournament.

Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, ice rink availability, official league or federation-mandated games, authority regulations or other force majeure events.

The organizer is not responsible for any costs or damages incurred by teams as a result of such changes.

Insurance, Injuries and Fair Play

1. Insurance and Liability

The organizers do not insure players and are not responsible for any injuries or accidents.
All players and team officials must be insured in accordance with FIHA regulations.

The organizer is not responsible for any thefts occurring during the tournament.

2. Fair Play

Teams, players and officials are expected to demonstrate exemplary Fair Play behavior.
Spectators are also expected to behave positively and encouragingly and to set a good example for children.

In cases of disruptive behavior, the organizer may remove individuals from the arena.
Misconduct by team officials will be handled in accordance with FIHA regulations.

Leijonat - Finhockey - Kilpailusäännöt 2025-2026