1. The playing rules will be those used during the regular season in Edmonton, in accordance with the Hockey Canada Rulebook.
2. Any Team unable to commence play within five (5) minutes after the scheduled starting time will forfeit that game, and the opposing team will be awarded a 5-0 score.
3. Any protests must be made known within five (5) minutes after the game in question. A written account must be submitted to the Tournament Director no later than one (1) hour after the game, on the provided forms. “The decision of the Tournament committee is final”
4. Any Player who receives a match penalty (i.e., intent to injure) will be suspended for the duration of the game. Further action will be determined pending the Tournament Committee’s review immediately following that game.
5. Any minor penalty coupled with an automatic game misconduct in the Hockey Canada Rulebook will be assessed as a minor penalty plus a 10-minute misconduct penalty. A substitute Player is required to serve the minor penalty.
6. Any Player or Team official who receives a second major penalty, or second misconduct penalty, or a match game misconduct, or a gross misconduct penalty, shall be suspended from further play in the Tournament.
7. All major penalties are subject to review by the Tournament Committee immediately following that particular game.
8. Non-contact! Body contact fouls will be strictly enforced.
9. Neck protection must be worn by all players
10. Home Team will wear their lighter jersey; if there is an issue with jersey colours, the visiting Team must change.
11. All games will utilize a registered hockey league and game officials.

ROUND ROBIN FORMAT

1. The round-robin format will consist of 14 teams in two conferences.
2. Round Robin games will consist of two (2) twelve-minute periods and one (1) fifteen-minute stop-time period. In the event of a tie, the teams will play two (2) two-minute sudden victory overtime periods. The first period will be 3-on-3, the second period will be 2-on-2, and if still tied, there will be a 3-player shootout, which will continue with additional shooters until a winner is declared. Overtime play will commence with the addition of one skater for the power play Team. Penalties incurred during overtime play will result in the addition of one skater for the power-play Team. At no time will a Team have fewer than 3 skaters during the first overtime period, and no fewer than 2 skaters during the second overtime period.
3. Three (3) points will be awarded for a regulation-time win, two (2) points will be awarded for an overtime win, one (1) point will be awarded for an overtime loss, and zero (0) points will be awarded for a regulation-time loss.
4. The top three (3) teams in each conference, based on total points during round robin play, will advance to the playoffs.

ROUND ROBIN TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE

In the event of a tie after completion of Round Robin play, the advancing Team(s) shall be determined as follows:

1. In the case of a tie between two teams, the Team that has won the game between them will qualify for the Playoff Round;
2. If still tied, the Team with the higher Goal Differential (Goals For minus Goals Against) will qualify for the Playoff Round;
3. If still tied, the Team with the higher Goals For during full Round Robin Play will qualify for the Playoff Round;
4. If still tied, the Team with the fewest penalty minutes during the full Round Robin Play will qualify for the Playoff Round;
5. If still tied, then a single flip of a coin by the Tournament Director will determine which Team will qualify for the Playoff Round.

NOTE: In the event of a 3, 4, or 5-way tie at the end of Round Robin play, head-to-head points among the tied teams shall determine the
top Team to advance. If no Team advances, apply steps’ b’ through ‘e’ until one Team advances. Continue with the head-to-head process
with any remaining teams until all advancing Team are selected.

PLAYOFF FORMAT

1. All Quarter-Final and Semi-Final games will be the same format as the Round Robin games, except in the case of a tie.
2. The Final game will consist of three (3) fifteen-minute stop-time periods. Overtime will be played in the event of a tie. For the final game, the home team will be determined by a coin toss by the Tournament Chairman.
3. In the event of a tie after the end of regulation play, one ten-minute sudden-victory overtime period will be played. Play will end as soon as one of the teams scores, and barring dispute, the team will be declared the winner.
4. In the event of a tie after the end of the sudden-victory overtime period, one player, not the goalkeeper, will be removed from each team, and each team will play with five players for two minutes of sudden-victory overtime.
5. In the event of a tie after the two-minute period, an additional player will be removed from each team, and each team will play with four players for a two-minute sudden-victory overtime period.
6. In the event of a tie after this two-minute sudden-victory overtime period, an additional player will be removed from each Team, and each team will play with three players for a two-minute sudden-victory overtime period.
7. In the event of a tie after the end of this two-minute sudden-victory overtime period, each team will select five shooters, and each player will take one shot alternating from team to team. Upon completion of the five-player shootout, the team with the most goals wins.
8. If still tied, the procedure will be repeated with five different players and so on until a winner is declared. No player shall come around a second time for a penalty shot until the complete team roster, excluding the goalkeeper, has been used.