Rules

Vuokatti Cup – U14 Tournament Rules

The tournament follows the competition and junior rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (SJL) with the exceptions outlined below.

The tournament jury does not handle referee reports; they are directed to the disciplinary officer of the team's region.

Tournament Players, Number, and Player Lists

Players born in 2011 or later. Special arrangements for overage players must be agreed upon separately with the tournament organizer. There is no limit on the number of players. Teams can register an unlimited number of licensed players for the tournament, considering the level, as long as they are age-eligible, with a maximum of 20+2 players per game.

Tournament Format and Teams

The tournament is played in AAA+, AAA, and AA level series. Each series accommodates eight teams.

Preliminary Round

AAA+:

Teams are divided into two groups of four. In the preliminary round, each team plays one (1) match against each team in their group. A win earns two (2) points, a draw one (1) point, and a loss zero (0) points.

AAA:

AA:

Determining Preliminary Round Standings

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

Points
Goal difference in group matches
Goals scored in group matches
Points in head-to-head matches
Goal difference in head-to-head matches
Goals scored in head-to-head matches
Penalties (fewer penalty minutes ranks higher)
Draw

Placement Matches

AAA+: Based on preliminary round standings, semifinals, placement matches, and medal matches are played according to the tournament bracket. Semifinals are played with the first-place team playing against the second-place team of the other group. Winners of the semifinals advance to the final, and losers to the bronze match. The third and fourth-placed teams in each group play in the lower semifinals. Winners of the lower semifinals advance to the 5-6 placement match, and losers to the 7-8 placement match.

AAA: Based on preliminary round standings, semifinals, placement matches, and medal matches are played according to the tournament bracket. Semifinals are played with the first-place team playing against the second-place team of the other group. Winners of the semifinals advance to the final, and losers to the bronze match. The third and fourth-placed teams in each group play in the lower semifinals. Winners of the lower semifinals advance to the 5-6 placement match, and losers to the 7-8 placement match.

AA: Based on preliminary round standings, semifinals, placement matches, and medal matches are played according to the tournament bracket. Semifinals are played with the first-place team playing against the second-place team of the other group. Winners of the semifinals advance to the final, and losers to the bronze match. The third and fourth-placed teams in each group play in the lower semifinals. Winners of the lower semifinals advance to the 5-6 placement match, and losers to the 7-8 placement match.

Shootout for Placement Matches

If a placement match is tied at the end of regulation time, a shootout is conducted as follows:

The shootout begins with three (3) different players per team, who the team coach nominates to the referee immediately after the end of regulation time. If the score is still tied after three shooters, the shootout continues with one pair of shooters at a time in a "sudden death" format. The match is decided when one team's player scores, and the opponent does not. The visiting team starts the shootout. Only the decisive goal is recorded in the final score, credited to the player who took the shot.

Game Time

The game time in the tournament is 3x15 minutes of effective playing time. The intermission is 1 minute. The total game time is a maximum of 60 minutes. No timeouts are allowed. Teams must be ready to start the game five (5) minutes before the scheduled game time. If a team does not arrive on time, they will forfeit the game 5-0.

Player List and Jerseys

The final player list must be submitted to the officials 30 minutes before the team's game. Registered players can participate in the tournament. A player can only represent one team during the tournament, except for goalkeepers, who may represent multiple teams from the same club. If teams have similar jerseys, the team listed as the away team in the schedule changes their jersey unless otherwise agreed.

Referees

Games are officiated by official referees from the Kainuu Ice Hockey Referees Association.

Penalties

Penalties follow the current SJL U14 competition and special rules and the IIHF rulebook. Minor penalties are one (1) minute due to the shorter playing time. Major penalties and any resulting game suspensions are decided by the Tournament Director and the officiating referees.

Prizes

The top three teams in each series are awarded medals and trophies. In each game, the MVP player is awarded a Vuokatti Cup ring.

Insurance and First Aid

Each player and official must have valid insurance according to SJL rules. The tournament organizers are not responsible for any accidents involving participating teams. The organizer does not provide a separate first aid person. Teams are responsible for their own first aid equipment and personnel.

Schedule Changes

The tournament organizer reserves the right to change the schedule, game duration, and ice maintenance if necessary. Any changes will be communicated promptly to the participating teams.

Protest Handling

The tournament jury consists of the Tournament Director and the officiating referees. The final decision-making authority in disputes rests with the Tournament Director. Protests must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes of the end of the match. The protest fee is 100 euros, refundable if the protest is upheld.

Vuokatti Cup U14

Rules