Tournament rules

Tournament Rules

The tournament will be played in accordance with the current Finnish Ice Hockey Association (FIHA) rules for the U11 age category, together with these tournament regulations.
 

Tournament Format

Both the Competitive Division and the Challenge Division consist of 8 teams, divided into two groups of four teams.

Each team is guaranteed at least five games during the tournament:

• 3 preliminary round games
• 2 placement round games
   

Points

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

Preliminary Round Standings

Teams are ranked according to the number of points earned.

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

1. Points in head-to-head games
2. Goal difference in head-to-head games
3. Goals scored in head-to-head games
4. Overall goal difference
5. Overall goals scored
6. Fewest penalty minutes
7. Drawing of lots
    

Placement Games

Teams finishing 1st and 2nd in each group advance to compete for places 1–4.

Teams finishing 3rd and 4th in each group compete for places 5–8.

The placement games are played as follows:

• 1st place in Group A vs. 2nd place in Group B
• 1st place in Group B vs. 2nd place in Group A

The winners advance to the Final, while the losing teams play for 3rd place.

For places 5–8:

• 3rd place in Group A vs. 4th place in Group B
• 3rd place in Group B vs. 4th place in Group A

The winners play for 5th place, and the losing teams play for 7th place.
 

Shootout Procedure for Placement Games

If a placement game is tied after regulation time, the winner will be decided immediately by a shootout.

The shootout follows the FIHA Competition Rules with the following exceptions:

• The away team shoots first.
• The shootout is conducted on a sudden-death basis, with one shooter from each team per round.
• No player may take a second shot until every eligible player on the team has taken one shot.
• The game ends when one player scores and the opposing player in the same round does not.
   

Game Duration

2 × 15 minutes of stop time

Maximum scheduled game time: 50 minutes

Forfeit

A team that fails to take the ice on time or does not complete a game will forfeit the game by a score of 5–0.

The maximum permitted delay is 10 minutes after the scheduled starting time.

Penalties

Penalties will be assessed in accordance with the current FIHA Competition and Junior Rules for U11 and the IIHF Official Rule Book, including major penalties.

Player Rotation, Team Rosters and Game Sheets

Teams are expected to rotate players as evenly as possible in accordance with the FIHA Junior Rules.

Team rosters must be submitted electronically by the deadline announced by the tournament organizer.

If a roster differs from the one submitted in advance, the updated roster must be submitted to the tournament office no later than 60 minutes before the game.

For example, if more than two goaltenders are listed on the original roster, the team must notify the tournament office at least 60 minutes before each game which two goaltenders will be included in that game's lineup.

Official game sheets will either be sent electronically to the team managers after the tournament or may be printed at the tournament office.

Game statistics will be managed using GameResultsOnline.

Referees

All games will be officiated by official referees appointed by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.

U11 games will be officiated by one or two referees.

Protests

Any protests will be reviewed by the Tournament Jury, consisting of the tournament management.

If necessary, the jury may hear representatives of the teams involved and the officiating referees.

Protests must be submitted in writing to the tournament office within 15 minutes after the end of the game.

The protest fee is €150, which will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
 

Accidents and Player Insurance

The tournament organizer does not provide insurance for players or team officials and accepts no liability for injuries or accidents occurring during the tournament.

All players and team officials must have valid insurance in accordance with FIHA regulations.

Appropriate first aid services will be available throughout the tournament.

A separate First Aid Information document will be provided to all participating teams.

The tournament organizer is not responsible for lost or stolen personal belongings.

Jerseys

The home team listed in the schedule shall wear dark jerseys, and the away team shall wear light jerseys.

If a team has only one set of jerseys, the teams must agree on jersey colours well in advance of the game.

Awards

The winners of each division will receive trophies.

All participants will receive a participation award.

Player of the Game (Spirit Award)

After every game, each team will select one Player of the Game (Spirit Award).

The selection is made by the team's coaching staff or officials.

The selected player must be reported to the off-ice officials no later than five minutes before the end of the game.

The tournament organizer reserves the right to make changes to the tournament format before the event if necessary for the successful organization of the tournament. Any changes will be communicated to all registered teams in advance.