Markham Stouffville Starsfest RULES OWHA Sanction #2526001
1. Hockey Canada and OWHA SUSPENSION rules shall apply where required. Any team using an OWHA Pickup Players must follow these rules of face Forfeiture and or Suspensions and fines. Teams may use the MAX 3 of 3 Players to Replace Existing players on their Official Roster.
You can NOT Replace Suspended players. Rep teams may only use Players from below levels of play – No Lateral Callups even if playing up in a combined division. Please note at no time can you exceed the total # of players on your official Roster.
2. All games will consist of 3 periods (10 minute -10 minute-12 minutes), stop time with the exception of U13AA – U15A – U18A – U18BB will consist of 3 periods of (15 minute –15 minute -15 minute), stop time. LONGER GAMES floods will take place between 2nd & 3rd periods for single games and flood every 2 periods for back to back longer games.
3. All divisions will have a 3 minute warm-up prior game. All games begin immediately upon completion of the 3 minute warm up. The game officials will supply a 1 minute warning to allow teams to prepare for opening face-off.
4. All teams need be available to play UP TO 20 minutes prior to the scheduled start time at the discretion of the arena convenor.
5. The OWHA minimum suspension guidelines will be strictly enforced. All suspensions will be enforced according to the OWHA ANNUAL Constitution, By-laws, and Regulations & Rules.
6. Girls will tap gloves after each game.
7. If the goal spread at any time of the third period reaches 5 goals, the clock will run until the spread is reduced to 3 goals, then stop time will resume.
8. One – 30 second timeout will be allowed for each team ONLY during Consolation – Elimination – Quarter – Semifinal & Championship games only. Overtime is not a new game. There is NO TIMEOUT in Round Robin Games.
9. A maximum Hockey Canadas allows is 18 skaters and 2 goaltenders However all players MUST be registered with same team.
10. A player may only participate with one designated team in a tournament and may only participate in one tournament on any date.
11. To be eligible to participate in the tournament, the participant’s name must appear on the team roster form submitted with the entry form. Changes to the roster must be made in writing and will not be permitted after registration prior to the first game. Players on Ontario teams must be registered with the OWHA. The OWHA “Pickup Consent” forms will be honored and must be included where necessary based on OWHA Rules.
12. Teams will be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and zero (0) points for a loss.
13.Standings after the round robin will be calculated on the basis of the points awarded as per rule # 12. In the event of a tie, the following criteria will be used to break the tie:
13A. Winner between the tied teams when they played head-to-head. (Applies to 2way ties only, 3 or more teams tied start with tie breaker 13b.)
13B. Percentage as calculated by dividing team’s total “Goals For” by the SUM of the team’s “Goals for and Goals Against”. TG ÷ (GF+GA) = % (See Chart)
13C. Fewest Goals Against.
13D. Most Goals For.
13E. Fewest Penalty Minutes.
13F. Coin Toss.
13G. Follow Tie breaking rules in Order. Once a Tie Breaking Rule has been used or is not applicable it cannot be used again.
14. IF a team(s) remove prior to the event (up to 72 hrs. before) every opportunity will be made to find a replacement team. If however a team cannot be found where One or BOTH teams are unable to ice a team, or facilities breakdown / malfunction or game cancellation due to inclement weather, COVID and PHU or Provincials orders prevent teams from attending we will unfortunately NOT be able to reschedule the game.
If unable to reschedule the game(s) will be considered as an Official OWHA Forfeiture score.
It will be recorded as either 5-0 for a “single team no show” or if both teams are unable the score will be recorded as a Hockey Canada Forfeiture of a 0-0 tie for both teams to assist in determining rankings to find a divisional winner as required in conjunction with tie breaking rules.
Tournament organizers and committees are not liable or responsible for acts of God and unforeseen events mechanical breakdowns, causing the cancellation of any part of whole if this event. ONLY 1 team official will sign the game sheet prior to each game.
15. In 6 Team Divisions: After 5 round robin games Top 2 teams will advance to the Championship game
16. In 8 Team Divisions: After 5 round robin games Top 2 teams will advance to the Championship game
17. In U15B3C Team Division: After 5 round robin games, Teams will be ranked 1st and 2nd place. B teams will advance to the B Championship game. After 5 round robin games the 1st and 2nd place C teams will advance to the C Championship Final game.
18. In U18A Team Division: After 5 round robin games Teams will be ranked 1st and 2nd place teams in each pool will advance to the semi-finals with the winners advancing to the Championship game.
19. In U18B Team Division: After 5 round robin games Teams will be ranked 1st and 2nd place B teams in each pool will advance to the semi-finals with the winners advancing to the Championship game. After 5 round robin games the 1st and 2nd place C teams will advance to the C Championship Final game.
20. Semi-Finals & Championship games are played to a winner. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time a Sudden Victory 5 minute overtime will commence. Teams will play 4 on 4 PLUS Goalies. (See format for rules) Players may be changed at any time. Goalies may be “pulled” at any time and a substitute player from the bench may be used. If still tied, a shoot out will occur.
21. Shoot Outs: Teams do not change ends for Overtime or Shoot Outs.
Each team must designate 3 shooters (S1, S2, S3.) directly onto the game sheet prior to the start of the game.
Any player serving a penalty at the end of overtime will not be eligible to participate in the shoot out and MUST remain in the penalty box. All players except shooter and goalies will be on the bench. Once a player has shot, they will go to the penalty box. Shooters from both teams will shoot simultaneously, starting at centre ice.
This is a BEST OF 3 Shootout. If still tied, each team will designate one shooter at a time until there is a winner.
A player may not shoot for a second time until all players on the game sheet (except goalies) have shot.
22. Home and Away Jersey Colors Sect 17 of OWHA Handbook: Home Teams will wear Dark colored Jerseys and visitor teams will wear light.
NOTE: for the 2025/26 Season Home teams have the Option to wear Light Colored Jerseys. If they choose to wear Light Colored as Home Team, they must notify visiting team once games are scheduled. We recommend to approach the other team when at the arena. Pinnies may be used as required. House teams are requested to bring 2nd set of jerseys or Pinnies to avoid conflict.
23. Flooding of the ice will occur at the end of each game or as required and may be deferred at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.
24. The decisions of the Tournament Officials are final with no appeals! . Tournament organizers and committees are not liable or responsible for acts of god and unforeseen events causing the cancellation of any part of whole if this event.
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