Tournament Rules

Finland Lions Cup Tournament Rules

The tournament is played in accordance with the Rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, subject to the following tournament-specific regulations.

Match Reports and Player Lists

Match reports are generated from the official player lists submitted by each team. Any changes to the team roster must be made at the Tournament Office no later than 30 minutes before the start of the game.

A player may represent only one team within the same age division during the tournament. A player may also represent a team in an older age division, but may not move from an older age division to a younger one.

A team may dress a maximum of 20 skaters and 2 goalkeepers for a single game.

Start of the Game

The game begins immediately after the starting line-ups are announced. If a team is not on the ice at the scheduled start time, the game shall be awarded to the opposing team by a score of 5–0.

Penalties

The Rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association apply, subject to the following adjustments:

• A minor penalty is two (2) minutes of effective playing time.
• If a player receives a Major Penalty with Game Misconduct (5 + 20 minutes), the Tournament Jury will determine whether an additional suspension will be imposed.
• A player who receives three (3) misconduct penalties (10 minutes each) during the tournament shall automatically be suspended for the next game.
• A player who receives two (2) Game Misconduct Penalties (5 + 20 minutes) during the tournament shall be suspended for the remainder of the tournament.

Playing System

Each team will play four (4) round-robin games. During the round-robin stage, North American teams play exclusively against European teams, and European teams play exclusively against North American teams.

Each team will then play one (1) placement game based on the round-robin standings (1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6, etc.).

Ranking of Teams

Teams are ranked according to the following criteria:

1. Points
2. Head-to-head points
3. Head-to-head goal difference
4. Head-to-head goals scored
5. Overall goal difference
6. Overall goals scored
7. Fewest penalty minutes
8. Draw

Criteria 2–4 apply only if all tied teams have played against each other. Otherwise, the ranking proceeds directly to criterion 5 (Overall goal difference).

If these criteria determine the ranking of only some of three or more tied teams, the remaining tied teams will be re-ranked by restarting the tie-breaking procedure from criterion 1 (Points), considering only the games played between the teams that remain tied.

Game Time, Intermissions and Time-outs

Games consist of two (2) 20-minute stop-time periods.

The maximum scheduled duration of round-robin games is 65 minutes. There is no maximum game time for bronze medal or championship games.

Teams change ends after the first period.

The intermission between periods is one (1) minute.

No time-outs are permitted during round-robin games.

Each team is entitled to one (1) 30-second timeout during placement games.

Round-robin games may end in a tie.

If a placement game ends in a tie, the winner will be determined by a shootout. Each team nominates three shooters, with the visiting team shooting first. If the score remains tied after three shooters per team, the shootout continues in a sudden-death format until a winner is determined. The shooting order is reversed after the initial three shooters.

Protests

All protests are handled by the Tournament Jury, consisting of the Tournament Director and two Tournament Officials.

The decision of the Tournament Jury is final.

The protest fee is EUR 200. The fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld.

A protest must be submitted in writing, signed by the team's manager, and delivered to the Tournament Office no later than 15 minutes after the end of the game.

Referees

All referees are appointed by the local Referee Association.

Team Jerseys

The home team wears dark jerseys. The visiting team (listed second in the schedule) wears light jerseys.

Tournament Awards

The first-place team in each division receives a championship trophy.

An MVP trophy is awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in each division.

The first-, second-, and third-place teams each receive up to 25 medals.

Right to Amend

The Tournament Office reserves the right to amend the tournament schedule if necessary.

Insurance

All players and team officials are responsible for ensuring they have valid and adequate insurance coverage throughout the tournament.

The tournament organizers accept no liability for injuries, illnesses, accidents, loss of property, or other damages sustained by players, team officials, spectators, or other participants during the tournament.

Other Disputes

In the event of any dispute or matter not specifically covered by these rules or by the Rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, the decision of the Tournament Jury shall be final.