The tournament is played with 8 teams in each age group. All teams meet each other once (preliminary round). After the preliminary round teams play cross-matches based on the ranking (first 4 teams: 1st against the 4th, 2nd against 3rd and the same goes for the last 4 teams). After those games the winners will play for higher ranks and the losers for the lower ranks.
Rules of the tournament
Games will be played 3 vs. 3 and a goalkeeper. The 3 lines will be fixed and marked with colored arm-bands. During the game there will be no switches between the lines. And the order in which the lines play will remain the same throughout the entire game (this means 2nd line always playes after the 1st, 3rd line always playes after the 2nd).
Lines will be marked with colored arm-bands accordingly:
● 1st line-yellow
● 2nd line-blue
● 3rd line red
Each line can have a substitute. The substitutes have to be marked according to the line they will play in.
There is a maximum of 12 players plus 2 goalkeepers per team. Minimum is 9 players and goalkeeper. If the team has less than 9 players, they have to play with only 2 players in the line.
In case of injury the coach can note a timekeeper desk and a player from the line with substitute can play in other line. If the team doesn’t have a substitute in any line, they have to play with only 2 players in the shift.
The goalie cannot be substituted with a player.
Scoring system
For the victory team gets 2 points. For a tied game, the team gets 1 point. A team gets 0 points for loss.
In case of equal points after preliminary round the following parameters will be considered:
1. Points in direct game (between the two teams)
2. Goal difference (difference between achieved and received goals in all matches);
3. Number of achieved goals;
4. If the teams are still equal, we decide by drawing lots.
In case of equal points in the group between three or more teams the following parameters will count in below order:
1. Points in direct games between teams with equal points;
2. Goal difference between teams with equal points (difference between achieved and received goals between the teams with equal points);
3. Goal difference on all matches;
4. Number of achieved goals;
5. If still equal, we decide by drawing lots.
In case of even game in the cross matches and finals, penalty shoot-out will take place (three penalty shots).
Playing time, referees, rules…
● Game time: 18 minutes without sides change
● Block-time: 1:00 minute;
● Flying change of blocks without stopping the time;
● After flying change players must skate behind the net and than can touch and play with the puck
● Change of blocks will be prompted by an acoustic signal.
● Time will be stopped only in case of injured players (at the discretion of the time keeper);
● Every team must bring two different sets of match dresses (light and dark);
● Games will be played with black pucks – U9, and blue pucks – U8
● Each game will be controlled by registered referee;
● Both U8 and U9 tournaments will have no-touch rules (IIHF rules for women’s hockey)
● After 3 faults there will be a penalty shot against the team of the player at fault. Any player from the line on the ice can shoot the penalty shot. If the shooter scores the play will continue from the middle, otherwise the play will continue from behind the net or a corner of the penalized team, where the puck will be thrown by referee;
● When play is interrupted around the net, the play needs to be stopped and the puck will be thrown by the referee.
● The team that hits the puck after an acoustic signal for the first time gets a warning. Puck hit for the second time will count as a fault.