CMHA Senior Friendly Tournament

Official Tournament Rules

1. Governing Rules

All applicable Hockey Canada, Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), and CMHA tournament rules and regulations will apply.

CMHA will arrange and appoint game officials in accordance with applicable requirements.

The Tournament Committee will administer tournament-specific matters. Any discipline or suspension arising from an incident will be handled in accordance with applicable Hockey Canada, OHF and NOHA rules, regulations and policies.

2. Team Registration

All teams must register with the Tournament Committee at least 30 minutes prior to their first scheduled game.

Teams are responsible for ensuring that all participating players and team officials are properly registered and eligible to participate.

3. Rosters, HCR and Permits

All required Hockey Canada Registry (HCR) rosters, travel permits and tournament permits, where applicable, must be available for verification.

Only properly registered and eligible players and team officials may participate.

4. Game Format

Unless otherwise specified for a particular division, games will consist of:

• Three (3) 10-minute stop-time periods.
• During the third period, running time will begin when there is a four-goal differential.
• If the goal differential is reduced to three goals, the game clock will return to stop time.
• The running-time rule does not apply to semi-final or championship games.

U9 games will be played according to the applicable Hockey Canada U9 Game Play Model and CMHA U9 Tournament Rules.

5. Warm-Up

Teams will receive a 3-minute warm-up prior to the start of the game.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to reduce the warm-up period if necessary to maintain the tournament schedule.

6. Ice Resurfacing and Team Readiness

The ice will be resurfaced following each game unless otherwise determined by the Tournament Committee.

Teams must be dressed and ready to play at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled game time.

Games may begin earlier than the published time when the tournament is running ahead of schedule and both teams and officials are ready.

7. Round Robin Point System

The following point system will be used during round robin play:

• Win – 2 points
• Tie – 1 point
• Loss – 0 points

8. NOHA Round Robin Tie-Breaking Procedures

In the event that teams are tied at the conclusion of round robin play for any position, the NOHA Tie-Breaking Procedures will be used.

Two Teams Tied

The following criteria will be applied in order until the tie is broken:

1. Most Wins – The team with the most wins will receive the higher position.
2. Head-to-Head Result – If still tied, the winner of the game(s) played between the two tied teams will receive the higher position.
3. Goal Average – If still tied, the team with the best goal average, calculated using all round robin games, will receive the higher position.
4. First Goal in Head-to-Head Game – If still tied, the team that scored the first goal in the game involving the two tied teams will receive the higher position.
5. Fewest Penalty Minutes – If still tied, the team with the fewest penalty minutes accumulated during round robin play will receive the higher position.
6. Coin Toss – If the teams remain tied, a coin toss will determine the higher position. The coin toss will be conducted by the NOHA Representative in the presence of a representative from each team.

Three to Five Teams Tied

If three to five teams are tied, the following criteria will be applied:

1. Most Wins – The team with the most wins will receive the higher position.
2. Highest Percentage – If still tied, teams will be ranked according to their applicable goal percentage, with the highest percentage receiving the higher position.
3. Fewest Penalty Minutes – If still tied, the team with the fewest penalty minutes accumulated during round robin play will receive the higher position.
4. Coin Toss – If two teams remain tied, a coin toss conducted by the NOHA Representative will determine the higher position.
5. Draw – If three or more teams remain tied, the NOHA Representative will place the names of the tied teams into a hat. The first team drawn will receive the highest remaining position, followed by the remaining teams in the order drawn.

Six Teams Tied

If six teams are tied, the applicable NOHA six-team tie-breaking procedure will be followed.

The procedure considers, in order:

1. Most wins;
2. Head-to-head results, where applicable;
3. Goal percentage/goal average;
4. Fewest penalty minutes; and
5. A coin toss or random draw, where required.

Goal Average / Percentage

Where the NOHA tie-breaking procedure requires a goal average or percentage, the calculation will be made in accordance with the current NOHA Tie-Breaking Procedures.

Final Authority

The Tournament Committee will apply the current NOHA Tie-Breaking Procedures when determining tournament standings and advancement.

Where there is any discrepancy between these tournament rules and the current NOHA Tie-Breaking Procedures, the NOHA procedure will govern.

9. Semi-Final and Championship Overtime

If a semi-final or championship game is tied at the completion of regulation time, the tournament’s approved overtime procedure will be used.

Overtime will be played on a sudden-death basis, with the first team to legally score being declared the winner.

10. Jersey Colour Conflicts

If both teams have jerseys of similar or conflicting colours, the Home Team will be responsible for changing jerseys, unless otherwise directed by the Tournament Committee.

Teams are encouraged to bring both light and dark jerseys when available.

11. Handshakes

Teams will participate in the traditional handshake prior to the start of the game.

Players and team officials are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect toward opponents, officials, volunteers and spectators throughout the tournament.

12. Tournament Committee

The Tournament Committee is responsible for the administration and interpretation of CMHA tournament-specific rules.

Decisions concerning tournament administration and tournament-specific matters are final, subject to any rights or procedures that may exist under applicable Hockey Canada, OHF or NOHA rules and policies.

13. Discipline and Suspensions

Fighting, abusive behaviour, maltreatment, discriminatory behaviour, abuse of officials, and deliberate attempts to injure will not be tolerated.

All penalties, misconducts and suspensions will be administered in accordance with the applicable:

• Hockey Canada Playing Rules;
• OHF Minimum Suspension List;
• OHF regulations and policies; and
• NOHA regulations and policies.

Any player or team official assessed an infraction carrying a suspension will serve the applicable suspension as required by the governing rules.

Where permitted under applicable tournament and governing-body rules, the Tournament Committee may also remove a participant from further tournament participation when necessary to protect the safety, integrity and orderly operation of the tournament.

14. Time-Outs

Each team will be permitted one (1) one-minute time-out during semi-final and championship games only.

Time-outs will not be permitted during round robin games.

Sportsmanship and Respect

The CMHA Junior Friendly Tournament is intended to provide players with a safe, positive and enjoyable hockey experience.

All players, coaches, team officials, parents and spectators are expected to demonstrate appropriate sportsmanship and respect toward:

• Players;
• Coaches and team officials;
• On-ice officials;
• Tournament volunteers;
• Arena staff; and
• Spectators.

CMHA reserves the right to address inappropriate conduct in accordance with applicable CMHA, NOHA, OHF and Hockey Canada policies.