2008 SARAH TOURNAMENT RULES

SARAH BACKSTROM TOURNAMENT RULES 2007

   1. The 2008 ELLGHA Sarah Backstrom Tournament is sanctioned by USA Hockey. The tournament will be conducted under the rules of ELLGHA and USA Hockey.

   2. All players and teams from the United States participating in this tournament shall be properly registered with USA Hockey. Proof of such registration shall be presented to the Tournament Convenor prior to participation in the tournament. All players in the tournament shall also have with them or with the team management a valid birth certificate or player identification card attesting to their age, a consent to treat form and waiver of liability. CHA/OWHA teams must have valid proof of registration with OWHA/CHA and valid birth verification and travel permit. All official rosters must be submitted by January 15, 2008.

   3. Submission of team rosters: Unless prior permission has been received, the roster submitted to the Tournament Convenor shall be considered final. Each team must forward to the Tournament Convenor, at least 2 weeks prior, a valid stamped team roster. The following team documentation is required for USA Hockey teams: Team Membership Application (stamped by the area registrar) and an Official Team Roster (stamped by the area registrar). Non electronically registered teams must present a copy of manual Individual Membership Registration forms for all players. All players participating and team officials must be on the official roster or team roster addendum. No rosters will be accepted after designated date and all addendums must be stamped by the area registrar.

   4. A player may only play on one team in a division. Players rostered on a different team in another division may play with tournament permission.

   5. The Tournament Convenor and Committee requires that each team properly presents its' credentials prior to the beginning of tournament play when they sign in prior to their first scheduled game. Teams must complete their registration and sign in 1 hr. prior to their first scheduled game at the designated site and for each subsequent game. Team information and registration packets will be made available at time of team's registration for first game at designated site.

   6. The following areas may be used for the Sarah Backstrom tournament Igloo Ice Arena, JMC Ice Arena, Mercyhurst College Ice Center, and the Louis J, Tullio Erie Civic Center.

# Tournament Format:

1.      Divisions: 12U, 14U, 16U, 19U See schedule for division levels of play.

2.      . 3 game guarantee.

3.         3. 4 team groups: Round Robin Play-best two recorded teams go to championship game.

4.         4. 3 team groups: 2 game Round Robin/first place gets BUY,/2nd plays 3rd. Winner of 2nd/3rd plays 1st in Championship game.

5.         5. 5 team group: 3 game random draw played within division. Best two record teams play in Championship game.

6.         6. 6 team group: Round Robin Play, 2 flytes of three, with random crossover within each division. Two best recorded teams regardless of flyte go to Championship game.

7.         7. 8 team groups: Round Robin Play-two flytes, best recorded team from each flyte goes to Championship game.

8.         8. 7 or 9 team group: Rules will be revised to adapt to this situation.

9.      12. Tournament Point Structure: This is a 5 point tournament. Points will be awarded by period with 1 point per period for a period win, .5 point for a tie, and 0 point for a loss. Two points will be awarded for the overall win of the game, 1 point for an overall game tie and 0 points for an overall game loss. A total of 5 points will be awarded.

10. 13. Tournament Tie Breakers:      1. Head to Head record    2. Most wins   3. Goals For-max 7 goals          4. Goals Against-max 7 goals

11.    5. Goals Average Formula: dividing the total number of goals against into the number of goals for with the highest percentage advancing. i.e. GF=10 GA=14 Average: 10/14=.714

12.    6. Least Penalty Minutes

13.    7. Team Scoring first goal in a Head to Head game      8. Flip of the Coin

14. 14. Time Structure:

15.    1. All games 12U & 10U divisions will consist of 3 ten (10) minute stop clock periods.

16.    2. All game 14U, 16U, 19U and Adult Women will be 3 twelve (12) minute stop clock periods.

17.    3. Mercy Rule: At any point in the second or third period of any preliminary game or elimination game should the score be in excess of 6 or more goals, clock shall be running time. Stop time shall commence if the trailing team closing the score to within 4 goals. There will be no mercy rule in any championship game.

18. 19. Playing Rules: The official rules of USA Hockey will be used for the all tournament games. Tag up off sides will be used in Adult and 19U Competitive Divisions.

19.   20. The home team will be noted on the score sheet on the day of the game. Teams are required to bring (2) two sets of jersey sweaters-one light and one dark. In the event of conflicting colors, the home team will be required to change jersey colors or wear a shimmel overlay with a number. If a team owns only 1 set of jersey sweaters, this must be indicated to the Tournament Convenor at the time of registration.

20.   21. All teams must be ready to start their game 20 minutes prior to their scheduled game time.

21.   22. Time Outs: 1 (one) time out of 1 (one) minute will be allowed per team in elimination and Championship games.

22.   23. The Tournament Convenor with the assistance of the Tournament Committee will be the final authority in all matters pertaining to the conduct and the governing of this tournament. NO PROTESTS WILL BE ALLOWED.

23.   24. Slap shots will not be permitted in the 10U division and will result in a 2 minute penalty.

24.   25. All players on the bench and penalty box must wear a protective helmet and face shield while in those areas. After a warning by the on ice official, a misconduct shall be assessed to the offending player of this rule.

25.   26. Lodging for the tournament is required to be made at the designated Tournament Host Hotels.

26.   27. All decisions of the Tournament Convenor and Committee are final.

27.   28. ellgha will not be responsible for any refund due to a team's inability to participate in the tournament unless the team withdraws within 30 days of the tournament. Teams withdrawing less than 30 days will only receive a refund if the tournament slot vacated is filled with another team.

28.   29. Everyone is required to have a great time, cheer loudly and positively for all participants and if we have snow, take it home with you.

29. 30. This tournament is sanctioned by USA Hockey.

# Ties: Overtime play will be used to break ties at the end of elimination games only with teams who have not met in previous tournament competition and Championship Games only. At the end of the 3rd period (3rd)...   1. 2 minute rest

   2. The clock will be set for 5 minutes and will be played to a "Sudden Victory" conclusion.

   3. The second (2nd) Overtime will be a three (3) minute 4 on 4 and will be played to a "Sudden Victory" conclusion.

   4. The third (3rd) Overtime will be a three (3) minute 3 on 3 and will be played to a "Sudden Victory" conclusion.

   5. If there is still not a victory, there will be a 5 player shoot out. The names of designated shooters must be designated in order on the score sheet prior to the start of the game.

   6. If the game is still tied, the team will go through the complete bench until a winning goal is scored.

# Protective Equipment: face masks certified by HECC and internal mouth guards are mandatory for all USA Hockey registered players in all divisions and levels of tournament play. The internal mouth piece must cover the teeth of the upper jaw.   Canadian teams will abide by the equipment requirements of their governing organization. In the event that a team refuses to comply, the team will forfeit the game and no tournament fees will be refunded.

# Penalties:   1. All minor penalties will be 2 minutes in length.

   2. All major penalties shall be 5 minutes in length.

   3. Misconduct's shall be 10 minutes in length. A Game Misconduct Penalty will involve the suspension of player, coach, or manager for the remainder of the game and the next full game of the tournament. Suspended participant may not be on the bench.

   4. Game Misconducts issued in conjunction with a major for fighting, stick major, or a check from behind will automatically care a suspension of the player for the remainder of the tournament. Player will not be allowed on the bench.

   5. In the case where a MATCH Penalty is assessed, the incident will be reviewed by the Tournament Committee, which has full power to invoke further suspensions. This incident will also be reported to the player's/ Coach's home association and the District.

   6. No checking will be strictly enforced .

   7. Zero Tolerance will be strictly enforced. Any spectator, player, team official, or parent who violates this policy will be removed from the rink for the remainder of the game and potentially the remainder of the tournament.# Each team is responsible for any damage that might be done by any of it's players, parents, or team management, to dressing rooms, rink facilities or any hotel facilities used by the team during its participation in the tournament. The Tournament Convenor requests that the coaches, managers, and players cooperate in keeping the rink facilities clean, orderly, and in good condition. Please make sure that all tape, debris, cans, papers, and other items are placed in proper receptacles before leaving the locker rooms. Some rinks will require inspection of the facilities used before key deposit is returned. No food or beverages are permitted to be brought into the IGLOO ICE ARENA.

8. Teams must be ready to play 20 minutes prior to their schedule game time. Many times games end early and the schedule will be moved up but no more than 20 minutes.

9. All rostered players, rostered coaches and rostered manager, and trainer (OWHA) will be issued a tournament pass that must be displayed at all times to obtain access to the rinks. Any player, coach, manager or team official , who does not have his/her pass will be required to purchase a day pass. Participant passes are not transferable and shall be issued to the coach or manager at the time of first game registration

10. Awards: Each championship game will award a team trophy and individual medals to the championship and runner up team/players. An MVP Award will be given during the Championship games. The recipient will be chosen by the opposing team Head Coach.