Tournament rules

Tournament Format

The tournament consists of a total of 40 games played over three days on two competition levels (AAA+ and AAA) and on two ice rinks. Games are played with a running schedule of 65 minutes, with a game time of 2 × 20 minutes.

AAA+ Division

Eight teams are divided into two groups of four teams each. After the preliminary round, the top two teams from each group advance to the Upper Division semifinals, while the bottom two teams advance to the Lower Division semifinals. Placement games will be played following the semifinals.

AAA Division

Eight teams are divided into two groups of four teams each. After the preliminary round, the top two teams from each group advance to the Upper Division semifinals, while the bottom two teams advance to the Lower Division semifinals. Placement games will be played following the semifinals.

In the group stage, teams receive:

• 2 points for a win
• 1 point for a tie
• 0 points for a loss

Group Standings and Tie-Breaking Criteria

If two or more teams are tied on points, the standings will be determined in the following order:

1. Total points
2. Points earned in head-to-head games
3. Goal difference in head-to-head games
4. Goals scored in head-to-head games
5. Goal difference in all group-stage games
6. Goals scored in all group-stage games
7. Penalty minutes
8. Draw by lot

Team Jerseys

The home team designated in the official schedule shall wear dark jerseys, and the visiting team shall wear light jerseys.

Game Rules

The tournament follows the Finnish national junior ice hockey rules, with the following exceptions:

• Game time is 2 × 20 minutes of stop time.
• The total game slot is 65 minutes. The game slot begins at the scheduled start time unless otherwise announced by the tournament organizers.
• Intermissions are 1 minute in length.
• The total game slot rule does not apply to medal games.
• Time-outs are not permitted.
• No on-ice warm-up is allowed.
• Teams do not change ends between periods.
• Starting lineups do not need to be submitted in advance.
• An omission of a player's name or number from the scoresheet is not grounds for a protest.

Tied Placement and Medal Games

If a placement game or medal game is tied at the end of regulation time, the winner will be determined immediately by a shootout.

Three players from each team will initially participate in the shootout. If the score remains tied, the shootout will continue one player at a time until a winner is determined. No player may take a second shot until all eligible players have taken one shot. The referee will determine the shooting order and shooting direction by a coin toss. Any player serving a penalty when regulation time expires is not eligible to participate in the shootout.

Team Rosters

Team rosters must be entered into the GameResultsOnline system before the start of the tournament.

A player may participate in only one division during the tournament unless otherwise approved by the tournament organizers (for example, in the case of goaltenders).

Teams may include overage players in accordance with the applicable competition regulations and regional rules.

Protests

All protests will be reviewed by the Tournament Jury, whose decision is final.

• The protest fee is €200.
• The fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
• Any protest concerning a game incident must be submitted within 20 minutes of the end of the game.
• The protest must be signed by the Team Manager.

Disciplinary Rules

• Two misconduct penalties (2 × 10-minute misconduct penalties) automatically result in a one-game suspension.
• A game misconduct penalty (GM) will always be subject to disciplinary review and may result in additional sanctions.
• A game misconduct penalty recorded as a 20-minute penalty counts as one misconduct penalty.
• A game misconduct penalty assessed after the conclusion of a game automatically results in a one-game suspension.
• A game misconduct penalty assessed to a team official automatically results in a suspension from the next three games. The disciplinary authority may impose a longer suspension if deemed necessary.

Rights of the Tournament Organizer

The tournament organizers reserve the right to modify the game schedule and order of games if circumstances require.

Forfeit

If a team fails to appear on the ice as scheduled or abandons a game, the game will be recorded as a 5–0 loss.

A team is considered late if it has not appeared within five minutes of the scheduled game start time.

Accidents and Player Insurance

The tournament organizers do not provide insurance coverage for players and are not responsible for any accidents or injuries that may occur during the tournament.

All players and team officials participating in the tournament must be properly insured in accordance with the regulations of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.

First aid services will be available throughout the tournament on behalf of the organizers.

The tournament organizers are not responsible for any theft, loss, or damage to personal property occurring during the tournament.