The Rules for the Finland Lions Cup U12
9-11.8.2013 Reebok Arena, Espoo
The Tournament will be played by the rules of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association with the following adjustments.
Match reports, player lists and over-aged players
Match reports are printed according to the player lists given by the teams. Any changes should be made in the tournament office 30 minutes before the first game. The starting line-up must not be named before the game. 2 over-aged players (born 2001) are allowed to play for a team. These over-aged players should be marked with “Y” in the match reports and player lists. A player can represent only one team during the tournament. Goalies are able to switch teams during the tournament, e.g. in the case of an injury.
Playing time, timeout, checking
In group stage (games 1-24) on Friday playing time is 2 x 17 minutes but max 55 minutes total from the scheduled match starting time, whichever comes first. Official will inform both teams 2 minutes before the total time (55 minutes) ends. The games 25-44 will be played 2 x 20 min with the 60 minute limit. The games 45-52 will be played 2 x 20 min without the 60 minute limit.
Teams must be ready in their boxes 3 minutes before the game starts. Should the team not be ready in due time they will lose the game 5-0.
No timeouts in the games 1-24. 1 x 30 sec. timeout allowed per team in games number 25-52.
Checking is not allowed but with the following exceptions:
- When skating same direction and cutting in line against the boards
- Interference with ones body when skating to the same direction or hip checking by the defender against the offensive player.
Semifinals & Finals
If the game is tied after regulation time, there will be a 5min overtime 4 vs 4. (Games 51 and 52). If there is a penalty, opposing team will get an extra player on the ice (6 vs 4 being the maximum). If the game is tied after overtime, penalty shots will be shot (3 players per team).
Warm ups etc
2 minute warm up on the ice before the game. The game starts immediately with starting line ups. Before the start the captain of the team shakes hands with the referees and the opponent´s captain and exchanges banners or streamers, etc. After the game all players form a line on their own blue line, shake hands with the opponent and move away from the ice rapidly.
Penalties
A normal small penalty is 2 minute effective playing time. Should a player receive 3 small penalties he is automatically banned from the game.
A ten-minute misconduct penalty is carried out normally in the penalty box. If a player gets two ten minute penalties during one game or player gets big penalty (5+20 min), or (20 min with unsportsmanlike conduct) he is automatically banned from the next game.
If a player receives a match penalty (25 min), he is automatically banned from the tournament.
Tournament system, rank order and points system
In the group stage teams are divided into 4 groups each with 4 teams. Each team plays once against the other teams within the group. The winning team receives two points. Both teams get one point in the case of a draw and the losing team gets zero points.
In the group stage the rank order is judged as follows:
1. Points between mutual games or mutual game
2. Goal difference between mutual game(s)
3. Goal differential in all games
4. Goals for
5. Flip of a coin
Playoff games (25-52):
Team plays the remaining games according to the schedule based on their standing after the qualifying games.
Penalty shots:
If a playoff game ends at a draw, there will be penalty shoot out with 3 players from both teams. (Except semifinals and finals, there is first overtime and if it is tied after overtime, there will be penalty shoot out). These 3 players must not be named beforehand. All players can participate that have their name in the game report. The starting team is decided by throwing a coin. Teams take turns in shooting and keep shooting until the decisive goal is shot. The possible remaining shots are not made. Should there be a draw after the 3 shots the shootout will continue in the reverse order of shots with the rule of the “golden goal”, meaning that the game is over when one team scores and the other one doesn´t in the same pair of shots. The same player can not shoot twice in the same shoot out until all players have shot once.
Protests
All protests are handled by the tournament jury. The jury consists of the tournament director, other tournament officials and the manager of both teams. The decision of the jury is final. The fee for a protest is 100 euros, which will be returned should the protest be accepted. The protest should be in writing, signed by the manager of the team and made no later than 20 minutes after the game has ended.
Team Jerseys
Home team plays with dark coloured jerseys and the team mentioned later in the schedule (visitor) uses lighter color jerseys.
Tournament medals and trophies
The players of the best 3 teams receive personal medals and the winning team receives a trophy. There will be awarded with medals maximum 25 players from the team. Award ceremonies are held immediately after the final game on the ice.
Each team manager should notify the tournament office no later than during the intermission of the last game the one player in their own team they would like to give a special award. This award can be for sportsmanship, best player, best team player, etc, and is given after the last game of the team in question.
Right to amendments
Tournament office has the right to amend schedules if they so desire.
Insurance
All players and team staff must have valid adequate insurance. The arranger of the tournament is not responsible for any injuries that may occur to the players or staff of any team