1. Once accepted into the tournament, teams are placed into Divisions based on the teams skill level and their association’s classification. Next, Division Chairs slot teams into groups within the Division. These groups may contain three, four or five teams based on registration.

2. Each group plays a round robin series to determine group standings. For groups of 3, the round robin series will include a crossover game with another group in the same Division. For groups consisting of 3 teams, the round robin series will include a crossover game with another group that is within the same division. The top two teams in each group will advance to the next rounds. 1st place in the group will advance to the Championship round. 2nd place will advance to the Consolation round (exception: due to number of teams in some divisions, the higher ranked second place team(s) may be rewarded a wildcard position in the Championship round – see #5 below).

3. Round robin group standings for each group are determined based on points. Two (2) points are awarded for each win and one (1) point is awarded for each tie. The tie-breaking formula set out below is used where 2 or more teams within a group are tied in points after the round robin. ONLY the first and second place teams in EACH GROUP are eligible for the playoff round. No third place team in a group will advance to the playoff round.

4. Tie Breaking Formula in Round Robin Standings:

NOTE: When three or more teams are tied in points at the completion of Round Robin play, when applying the tie-breaking rules below, ONLY the teams with the best score for a tie-breaking rule will be considered in the next tie-breaking rule, AND, once one team’s standing is determined, all other original teams tied based on points will revert back to Rule No. 4(a) to determine next best team.

a) If two teams (only) are tied in points after the round robin the team that won the
game between the two teams places higher.
b) If two or more teams are tied, the team with the most wins places higher.
c) If two or more teams are tied the team with the “fewest goals against” places higher. A maximum goal spread of 7 per game is used.
d) If two teams (only) remain or are still tied, the team that scored the first goal in
the game between the two teams, places higher.
e) If two or more teams are still tied the team with the fewest penalty minutes places higher. All minor, 5 minute major and the 10 minute misconduct infractions will be used to determine to least penalized team.
f) If two or more teams are still tied the standings will be determined by a Ten Minute Stop Time Tie Breaker game set up by the Tournament Committee.
g) If teams are still tied after the one period Tie Breaker Game, sudden victory ten minute periods will be played until a winner is determined.

5. Determining Wild Card Standings: (Only for Divisions with Wild Cards)

For determining a Wild Card teams in any division, the following Rules will apply:

a) Standings and Tie Breaking Formula (Rules 3 and 4) will be used to determine the 2nd place team in each Group. (3rd place teams in a group are not eligible for Wild Card placements).

b) Standings and Tie Breaking Formula (Rules 3 and 4) will then be used to determine the best 2nd place team in the Division and the order of the Wild Cards.

Revised November 2024