Mad Man Hockey Rules

Please review the general rules below. These rules are intended to serve as guidelines and may vary by event. Event-specific rules, schedules, formats, and procedures may be adjusted at the discretion of the tournament director.

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General Tournament Rules

1. All teams must be registered with U.S.A. Hockey, the Canadian Hockey Association, or the appropriate IIHF affiliate.

2. Any forfeited game will be recorded as a 3-0 score. If a forfeited game affects playoff status, the tournament director may review the situation to determine which teams advance beyond preliminary round play.

3. The use of ineligible players will disqualify a team from the remainder of tournament play. All games played by the disqualified team will be recorded as 3-0 forfeits. No refunds will be issued.

4. Players and coaches should report to the arena at least 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The tournament organizer reserves the right to start games up to 15 minutes ahead of schedule if games are running early.

5. Players do not need to sign in unless otherwise instructed.

6. Team contacts should bring the following items to all tournament games and be prepared to provide copies to the tournament director:

• USA Hockey, Canadian Hockey Association, IIHF affiliate certified roster, or player cards

• Travel permit, if required by the team’s sanctioning body

 

Playing Rules

 

Zero Tolerance Policy

A zero-tolerance rule for verbal abuse is in effect for all players, coaches, managers, trainers, spectators, and team representatives.

Players

A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct may be assessed whenever a player:

• Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official, on-ice official, or tournament director

• Uses obscene or vulgar language in a loud or inappropriate manner toward anyone at any time

• Visually demonstrates dissatisfaction with an official’s decision

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Coaches, Managers, and Trainers

A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct may be assessed whenever a coach, manager, or trainer:

• Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official, on-ice official, or tournament director

• Uses obscene or vulgar language in a loud or inappropriate manner toward anyone at any time

• Visually demonstrates dissatisfaction with an official’s decision

• Stands on the boards or in the bench doorway with the intent to incite officials, players, or spectators

Please note: The tournament director does not have the authority to reverse decisions made by game officials.

 

Game Ejection Rule

Mad Man Hockey uses a game-ejection rule for all tournaments and showcases. This rule allows a coach or player to be removed from a game without automatically missing the next game in the tournament or showcase, unless otherwise determined by the applicable rules or tournament officials.

 

U.S.A. Hockey Rules

U.S.A. Hockey playing rules apply to all games. Teams from outside the United States should pay close attention to the following:

• Any player receiving four penalties in one game, including major, minor, misconduct, or any combination, will sit out the following game.

• Any team receiving 12 penalties in one game, including major, minor, misconduct, or any combination, will have its head coach sit out the following game.

• There is no center ice line except for icing the puck.

• Tag-up offsides applies for Mite AAU 8U, Bantam 14U, and Midget 16U and 18U divisions.

• Pee Wee 12U and Squirt/Atom 10U divisions will use automatic offsides.

• Teams are required to follow the rules of their league or governing body regarding mouth guards and neck guards.

 

Game Misconducts, Match Penalties, and Suspensions

Any game misconduct results in an automatic one-game suspension, regardless of when the infraction occurs during the game.

Any player or coach receiving a match penalty or gross misconduct will be disqualified from further tournament play and is not permitted on the bench during games in which they are serving the suspension. There are no exceptions.

 

Tournament Management

Tournament directors reserve the right to take all measures necessary to complete the tournament.

For championship games, if the tournament is running behind schedule, the tournament director may move the awards ceremony off the ice to help complete all tournament games.

Games may be called, curfewed, or moved to running time if tournament officials determine that continuing play is not in the best interest of the tournament, participants, spectators, officials, or facility.

 

Mercy Rule

If six or more goals separate the teams at the end of the second period or at any time during the third period, running time will begin for the remainder of the game.

If the trailing team comes within three goals, stop time will resume.

The maximum goal differential recorded per game is plus or minus seven.

 

Early Game Starts

Teams must be prepared to begin a game up to 15 minutes ahead of the posted schedule.

Failure to comply may result in a two-minute bench minor penalty. Tournament officials reserve the right to use judgment in these situations, especially if a playoff game, missing goaltender, or possible forfeit is involved.

If games are running behind schedule, the tournament reserves the right to skip ice resurfacing when necessary. This measure is typically used only in rare circumstances and usually after mite/novice or squirt/atom games.

 

Timeouts

Each team is allowed one timeout per game. This applies to preliminary, semifinal, and championship games.

 

Standings and Points

During preliminary round play, teams are awarded:

• 2 points for a win

• 1 point for a tie

• 0 points for a loss

No points are awarded for winning periods.

 

Period Lengths and Overtime

Period lengths are generally:

• Squirt 10U and Pee Wee 12U: 13-13-13 minutes

• Bantam 14U and Midget 16U/18U: may vary from 13 to 20 minutes depending on the event

 

Period lengths may vary by event.

Semifinal and championship games will follow the same period timing as listed above.

If a semifinal or championship game is tied at the end of regulation, teams will play a 5-minute sudden-death overtime at 3-on-3, with three skaters plus a goalie per team.

If still tied after the first overtime, a second 5-minute sudden-death overtime will be played at 2-on-2, with two skaters plus a goalie per team, until a winner is determined.

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Penalties During Overtime

When a team receives a penalty during overtime, that team will skate shorthanded 3-on-2.

If the same team receives another penalty while the first penalty is still being served, teams will skate 4-on-2.

Once the first penalty expires, that player will enter the ice and teams will play 4-on-3 until the next stoppage. At the next stoppage, play will return to a 3-on-2 power play until the remaining penalty expires.

 

Showcase and Shootout Rules

All youth Mad Man Showcases will not have shootouts. Games will end in ties.

Mad Man Tournaments will use a 5-minute overtime format when applicable.

Midget and high school showcases will have no overtime and will proceed directly to a 3-player shootout when required.

 

Shootout Format

In a 3-player shootout, the visiting team will always shoot first.

All players are eligible for the shootout except players serving misconduct or minor penalties.

The team that scores the most goals after three shooters will be declared the winner.

If the shootout remains tied after three shooters, sudden-death shootout rounds will continue until a winner is determined.

Players used in the initial 3-player shootout may not be used again until all eligible players have participated.

 

Playoff Format

Please refer to tournament scoreboards or speak with a tournament representative to determine the playoff format for each individual division.

Team management and coaches are responsible for confirming their final position in the standings and playoff status with a tournament representative before leaving the rink after their final preliminary round game.

 

Tie Breakers

Tie breakers used to determine playoff teams are applied in the following order:

1. Head-to-head competition between tied teams

2. Goal differential, calculated as goals for minus goals against

3. Fewest goals against

4. Lowest total penalty minutes

5. Coin toss

The maximum goal differential recorded per game is seven.

 

Special Tie Breaker Scenarios

In some cases, standard tie breakers may require additional review.

Four-Team Division With Three Teams Tied

If three teams are tied with identical records and the fourth team has zero wins and three losses, head-to-head competition may no longer apply if all three tied teams defeated the fourth-place team.

In that case, tie breakers 2, 3, and 4 will be applied using only games played between the tied teams.

If teams remain tied, a three-way coin toss will be used. The two teams with matching results will advance. If only one playoff spot remains, the remaining two teams will repeat the coin toss.

Divisions With More Than Four Teams

If three or more teams are tied in total points and not every tied team has played every other tied team, goal differential will be applied first to advance or eliminate one or more tied teams.

If two teams remain tied and head-to-head conditions exist, head-to-head results will determine the final playoff team.

Six-Team Division Example

If three teams are tied in points and games between the tied teams have been played, the team that defeated both of the other tied teams will advance.

Any scenario not specifically covered by these rules will be left to the discretion of the tournament director.

 

Jersey Colors

As a general rule, the home team wears light-colored jerseys and the visiting team wears dark-colored jerseys.

Teams with two sets of jerseys are strongly encouraged to bring both sets to every tournament game.

If a color conflict or dispute occurs, the tournament director reserves the right to make the final decision.

 

Sanctioning and On-Ice Officials

All tournaments are sanctioned by USA Hockey.

Mad Man Hockey is required to use U.S.A. Hockey-carded officials and assign officials only to games that U.S.A. Hockey has deemed them qualified to officiate.

Parents, Spectators, and Fan Regulations

Parents, spectators, and fans are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly, sportsmanlike, and professional manner at all Mad Man Hockey tournament games and facilities.

The following conduct will not be tolerated:

• Entering the ice, bench area, penalty box, or scorer’s box

• Entering the referee’s locker room

• Entering the opposing team’s locker room

• Physical or verbal abuse of referees, coaches, players, rink employees, tournament officials, or other spectators

• Fighting among parents, spectators, or fans

• Excessive use of noisemakers

Mad Man Hockey reserves the right to remove any person from the facility at any time for inappropriate behavior.

 

Additional Spectator Rules

Parents, spectators, and fans are not permitted to confront Mad Man Hockey directors or scorekeepers at any time. If an issue arises, it must be brought to a Mad Man Hockey representative by a coach or team manager.

Any parent ejected from the rink during a game must leave the building and may not return until the team’s next game, or whenever determined by the tournament director.

Air horns, mechanical noisemakers, and vuvuzelas are not permitted at any time. These items interfere with players, officials, and scorekeepers being able to hear whistles and game communication.

If prohibited noisemakers are found, they may be confiscated and returned after the game has ended. Excessive use of cowbells may also result in confiscation at the discretion of tournament directors, rink personnel, or officials.

If a situation is serious enough, Mad Man Hockey reserves the right to remove all people involved from tournament games and facilities for the entire weekend.

We are all here to create an enjoyable, competitive, and fun-filled weekend of hockey for the players. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.