Gananoque Minor Hockey Association (GMHA)
Tournament Rules
General
1. Sanction and Regulations - All GMHA tournaments are sanctioned by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). All OMHA rules apply and will be enforced.
2. Eligibility – Teams must be registered with their home association and must be in good standing.
3. Team Composition – Each team can carry up to 17 players and 2 goalies. All players on the team (including affiliated players) must be registered through their home association and must be listed on the official team roster. A copy of the official team roster must be provided to the tournament coordinator no later than one week prior to the start of the tournament. No team will be permitted to play without a valid roster.
4. Travel Permits – All teams are required to provide travel permits from their home associations.
5. Team Managers – The team manager or coach must check in at the registration table 45 minutes prior to the start of the team’s first game in order to verify that all team documentation is in order.
6. Team Trainers – Each team is required to have a registered trainer on the bench for each game. In the event that the team’s trainer is not available, the trainer from the opposing team may act on his/her behalf, but must sign the game sheet accordingly – the word “shared” is to be placed in the name/signature line for the team missing it’s trainer.
7. Governance – The tournament committee and/or tournament coordinator reserve the right to make any decisions on the interpretation of the tournament rules, objections, protests, etc. All decisions by the organizers will be final.
8. Officials – On-ice officials, timekeepers and scorekeepers are assigned by GMHA. On-ice officials will have the final say on all goals and penalties awarded.
Tournament Format
Five Team, Single Day Format
Each team will play two games and whoever is ranked 5th place after the two games will be eliminated. The other four teams will then play a “B” and “A” Championship game..
Point System
All preliminary round games will be played on a point system with a maximum of five points allocated as follows:
· 2 points awarded for winning a game
· 1 point awarded to each team for a tied game
· 1 point awarded for each period won
· ½ point awarded to each team for each tied period
Tie Breakers (for Seeding following Preliminary Rounds)
In the event that two or more teams earn the same number of points after the preliminary round, the tie will be broken based on the following system:
I. Winner of head to head games
II. The team with most wins
III. The team with fewest losses
IV. The team with the fewest goals scored against them
V. The team with the fewest penalty minutes
VI. The team that scored the earliest goal in any game of the tournament
VII. The flip of a coin
Overtime and Shoot-Out Procedure (Championship Games Only)
In the event that a championship game is tied after regulation time, the teams will play a 3-minute, 3-on-3, sudden death overtime period, followed by a sudden death shoot-out, if necessary. If a team is assessed a penalty in the overtime period, the other team will be allowed to ice a fourth skater for the duration of the penalty. In the event of a shoot-out, no player on a team will be allowed to shoot a second time until every player on the team has attempted a shot (excluding goalies). If time permits, the teams will alternate shooters, with the home team deciding which team shoots first. Otherwise, both teams will shoot simultaneously.
Game Format
All games will consist of a 2 minute warm-up and three 10/10/10 minute stop time periods. All preliminary round games will be curfewed after 50 minutes (including the 2 min warm-up). Championship games will not be curfewed.
No timeouts shall be allowed in any preliminary round games. In the championship games, each team will be allowed one 30-second time out.
Each team must be dressed and ready to start the game 15 minutes early, in the event that the tournament is running ahead of schedule.
When team colours conflict, the home team will be expected to change sweaters.
If for any reason a goalie cannot continue to play and no second goalie is available, he/she must be replaced immediately by a substitute player.
Safety
Players must not go on to the ice until the arena staff has left the ice, and the Zamboni door has been closed.
Coaching staff is not permitted to walk across the ice to get to the benches.
All participating players must wear neck protectors and mouth guards at all times, unless the team’s local association does not require them.
Note that in accordance with rule 17 of the OMHA Manual & Operations, ALL goal tenders MUST wear a neck protector, known as a "Billy Goat." In the event that a goalie does not have a "Billy Goat" they will NOT be allowed to play in the game. The Billy Goat must be properly attached to the face mask, otherwise a 2 minute minor penalty for improper wearing of this equipment Reg 17.4a and or 17.4b will be assessed by the on-ice official.
Circumstances Warranting Ejections
Any 5 minute major penalty for fighting, any match penalty, or any gross misconduct penalty will disqualify the player/team official from any further participation in the tournament.
Any player receiving three minor penalties, in any one game, will be ejected from that game.
This is a no alcohol event. Zero tolerance is in effect for all coaches, players and spectators and will be strictly enforced by the referees and/or the tournament committee.
Respecting Others and the Facility
Please be respectful of everyone associated with the tournament. Note that any abuse (verbal or otherwise) of players, coaches, spectators, officials, tournament officials, or facility staff, will not be tolerated.
Please also respect the facility. Out of courtesy to other participants, please vacate the dressing room within 15 minutes of the conclusion of any game, and kindly ensure that all tape, water bottles, etc. have been placed in the appropriate receptacles before leaving. Note that offending teams will be held responsible for damage to arena property.
All coaches are responsible for their players’ actions both on and off the ice.
Other
GMHA and the Tournament Organizing Committee do not accept any responsibility for theft, damage, accidents or injuries to participants, spectators, equipment, personal belongings, etc. as the result of participating in this event.