Atlanta Freedom Cup - Tournament Rules

TOURNAMENT RULES

1. ADMISSION: There is no admission charge to the tournament.

2. REGISTRATION: Each team is required to have a USA Hockey roster signed by their local registrar.

3. VOLUNTEERS: Each team must provide a representative for their team's penalty box.

4. VENUE: All games will be at the The Cooler, 10800 Davis Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30004 (http://cooler.com).

5. SCHEDULE: The schedule and rules will be distributed to the team managers prior to the tournament and will be posted at the Tournament Headquarters. All teams must be ready to play at 12pm on Friday, January 16, 2008 (Skills Competition & Opening Ceremonies). Games may go as late as 6pm on Monday, January 19th, 2008.

6. BREAKS: There will be a one minute break between periods and 1 time out allowed per game.

7. CLOCK: The clock will go to running time AT ANY POINT DURING THE 3RD PERIOD in which the score is a differential of 6 goals or more. Once the score differential is 5 and under, the clock will go back to stop time.

8. GAME CURFEW: Peewees have a 1 hr 10 minute curfew once the warm-up clock begins.

9. AVAILABILITY: Teams must be ready to play 30 minutes prior to their game time except for the 1st games each day. If the ice is available, the scheduled game will start early. If a team does not have enough players to start a game, the clock will run and a goal will be assessed against the team every 2 minutes. If the team is still not ready by the end of the first period, the game will be scored a forfeit. The score for a forfeit will be recorded as 1-0 win to the non-offending team.

10. PENALTIES: Once 20 penalties occur in a given game total, the clock will be a running clock. Exception is during any overtime games. This will refer back to stop time.

11. TIES: All games that are tied at the end of the third period will remain a tie and each team will be given 1 point. All games tied in the semi-final games and championship games will be given a 6 minute period (4 on 4), if still tied, a 5 man shootout will occur. If still tied each team will continue down their roster until a team scores.

12. FINALS: The Tournament Committee has the overall authority in a finalsissue.

13. SCHEDULE UPDATES: The updated schedule will be posted near the main area by the tournament office and up at the main entrance, as well as on the website. This will have the locker room assignments as well. Please arrive at least 1 hour prior to your game time. In the event of an issue, Team Managers can contact Gina Bennett, AFHC Tournament Director, at 770-265-4005.

14. GAME TIMES: Peewees: 13 minute periods; 2:30 minute warm-up

15. TIE BREAKERS: Based on 2 points for a win, 1 point each for a tie, and 0 points for a loss:

1) Most points accumulated

2) Head to head competition will determine which team advances, if still tied,

3) Least Goals allowed, if still tied,

4) Goals plus/minus differential, if still tied,

5) Fewest Penalty minutes during the tournament, if still tied,

6) Coin toss

16. GOAL DIFFERENTIAL: Goal differential cannot exceed 6 goals for any game.

17. PENALTIES: Major penalties will be five (5) minutes in duration while Misconduct penalties will be ten (10) minutes long. At all levels, all Minor penalties will be two (2) minutes in length. Major penalties will be five (5) minutes and Misconduct penalties will be ten (10) minutes in length.

18. MISCONDUCT:

Any player or coach removed from any game by the referee for a Game Misconduct penalty shall not be permitted to participate in that Team’s very next game.

When a Match or Gross Misconduct penalty is assessed, the incident shall be reported immediately to the Tournament Discipline Committee. The player shall be suspended for the remainder of the tournament. Suspensions shall be reported to the USA Hockey.

Profanity or excessive taunting will not be tolerated from players, team officials, parents or fans. Players and team officials will be assessed penalties in accordance with USA HOCKEY’S ZERO TOLERANCE philosophy. Spectators guilty of the above will be asked to leave the facility.

19. ZERO TOLERANCE: The ZERO tolerance rule will be strictly enforced. Parents or coaches or spectators screaming or yelling (at Players, Tournament or any other Officials, on or off the ice) will be barred from the Tournament Rink for the duration of the tournament. Rink Management and Security will enforce these removals if needed.

LOCKER ROOMS: It is the Coaches/Players & Team Managers responsibility to make sure the assigned locker rooms are kept clean and damage free. Any damage caused will be the responsibility of that team.

REFEREES & OFFICIALS: The tournament staff contracts out for its officials. All complaints against officials will need to be made to the Official in Charge not the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director will NOT contact the head official for you. This may be only handled by the team manager or coach, NO PARENTS.

21. TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION ROOM: Only Team managers and coaches will be allowed in the tournament registration room.

22. LOCKER ROOMS: Our volunteer staff will coordinate locker room assignments. The locker room will be inspected after each use. All trash items, including tape, food, drinks and so on, must be removed and place in the proper trash cans. Please report any issues to the tournament staff. Any damage reported and caused by a team will require that team to pay for damages immediately.

23. TOURNAMENT FORMAT: Four teams, 3 games round robin each, 1 seed vs. 2 seed for championship, 3 seed vs. 4 seed for consolation. PLEASE NOTE that until the Zamboni leaves the ice and the Zamboni doors have been closed; no player, coach or anyone should be on the ice. This includes no sitting on the boards on the bench. Please clear the ice quickly after each game in effort for us to start the next game.