Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Provincial AAAA Hockey Championships

FORMAT/RULES

FORMAT: Both Championships will be a six (6) team round robin tournament divided into two pools of three teams each, with teams advancing to play-off rounds. For the “AA” Championship there will be a consolation and 3^rd place game. The “AAAA” Championship will have NO consolation or 3^rd place game.

Overtime: Overtime will consist of one 10 minute sudden death period of 4 on 4 hockey (depending on ice availability, a second 10 minute overtime (4 on 4) may be added).  After that it will be a shoot-out with each team selecting 5 players to shoot.  If the score is still tied, then it will be a group of 3 different shooters.  If still tied, then it will be one on one with different shooters until a team reaches 12 shooters and then they can begin to reuse players.  Overtime will be played to determine championship play-off games only.

No team will have fewer than three skaters in overtime, so if a team is penalized in overtime, the other team would add a player rather than the penalized team removing a player. In any case, the penalized player would still serve his or her penalty.


RULES: All players must be registered on both Hockey Manitoba Forms, and the MHSAA Online Roster. No additions permitted to MHSAA roster after NOVEMBER 7 of current year.

The HOME team is the higher ranked/seeded team on the draw.  The home team will wear their white sweaters.  (The dressing room # will be on the draw).

All games will consist of 2 -15 minute and one 20 minute stop time periods. The format will be as follows: (games may be changed depending on ice availability).

• a 10 minute pre-game skate approximately 25 minutes prior to game time.
• teams will warm up on the 3^rd period ice of the preceding game.
• a flood 15 minutes prior to game time. (when possible) 

The mercy rule will be in effect for all games.  Running time is used when one team is ahead by 5 or more goals with 5 minutes left in the game.

The maximum number of players dressed per game will be 20. The maximum number of coaches, trainers, etc. allowed on the bench will be 4.

Each team will be allowed one time out per game.

Any player who receives 4 penalties in one game, or 3 stick penalties, shall be removed from that game.  This is not a game misconduct and the penalty can be served by any player.

Players that play in a league that require neck guards will be required to wear them.

Centre ice red line will be used in icing calls.  It will not be used for offside calls.  This allows teams to pass from their own goal line to the opposition’s blue line.

Tie Breaker Rule: In the event that teams are tied for a playoff position after the round robin, the following procedure will apply:

1. The team with the most wins in the round-robin gains the highest position.
2. If the teams are still tied after 1 above, the winner of the round-robin game between the tied teams gains the highest position.
3. If the teams are still tied after 1, and 2 have been applied, then the team with the best goal average gains the highest position. The goal differential of a team is to be determined in the following manner:
4. Total number of goals for divided by the total number of goals for and against. NOTE: All round-robin games are included.
5. NOTE: The highest percentage gains the highest position.
6. If the teams are still tied after 1, 2, and 3, have been applied, the team with the least number of minutes in penalties throughout all round –robin games, gains the highest position.
7. If the teams are still tied after 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been applied, then the team that scored the first goal in the game between the tied teams gains the highest position.
8. If the teams are still tied after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been applied, a single coin toss will determine which team gains the highest position.
9. In the case where you have three or more teams tied you would move through the steps above one after the other until all ties have been broken.

If any team uses an ineligible player or players, then that team will forfeit the game in which the ineligible player or players played or were listed on the score sheet.

Any player who receives a Fighting or Match penalty in the Provincial Championship will be removed for the duration of the Provincial Championship.

Any player who receives a Game Misconduct will be removed from that game plus the next game.

All leagues must submit penalty statistics of teams which qualify for the Provincial Championships.  These penalties will carry over.

All coaches behind bench must have a minimum of Coach Level Certification.  Other Hockey Canada qualification, such as safety, and speak out must be held by other bench personnel.

Uniform Rule: Athletes, team members and coaches will not be allowed to wear headwear (excluding players helmets), during competition, opening ceremonies, awards ceremonies, banquets and/or luncheons. Any athlete or coach deemed in violation may be subject to a fine in the amount $50 - $100 per violation assessed to the school. Advertising on uniforms must adhere to guidelines as outlined on pages 132-133


Penalties:

Fighting/Match/Gross Misconduct

• 1^st Offense – 5 minutes, game misconduct, expulsion from the Provincial Championships.

Major/Game Misconduct (All majors become game misconducts with the 5 minute penalty served by any player.)

• 1^st Offense – Remainder of that game plus 1 game
• 2^nd Offense – Remainder of that game and expulsion from the Provincial Championships.
• Exception – Game misconduct for a minor penalty for hitting from behind will be penalized as follows:
  • 1^st and 2^nd Offense – Removed for the remainder of the game. If this penalty occurs in the last 10 minutes of regulation time, the player is suspended for the next game
  • 3^rd Offense – 1 game (2 if penalty occurs in last 10 minutes)

Misconduct (10 Minute Misconduct)

• 1^st & 2^nd Offense – Player serves 10 minutes. Players receiving a 10 minute misconduct with less than 10 minutes left in regulation time, will automatically be suspended for the next regular game as well.
• 3^rd Offense – becomes a game misconduct (1 additional game, if the penalty occurs in the last 10 minutes)
• Any major misconduct and 10 minute misconduct penalties received during league, exhibition, and/or wildcard games will be carried over to the Provincial Championship.

Awards:

In each division, the championship team will receive the Association tournament trophy (annual presentation), the Championship banner, first place medals and Championship T-shirts (max. of 24)

The runner-up team in the championship event will receive a finalist banner and second place medals (max. of 24)

The winning team of the third place event will receive a third place plaque and third place medals (“AA” Only)

Winning team of the consolation event (“AA”) will receive a consolation plaque

An all-star team, Players Choice award and M.V.P will be selected

SUPERVISION

At all MHSAA Provincial Championships, interzone and wildcard games, participants must have a teacher from the school division in attendance as a supervisor, or they will not be allowed to compete.  In individual sports where it may be unrealistic for one teacher to accompany one student, the zone may designate teacher supervisors for athletes.  This must be a written request, signed by each principal involved, and approved by the MHSAA, well in advance.  The designated teacher supervisor should have a copy of the letter, with them during the championship.

Teachers employed in the school division where they are coaching a team, may be the supervisor for that team.  The responsibility rests with the school to ensure that supervisor(s) are fully acquainted with all MHSAA rules, regulations, and consequences.  Violation of this rule may result in a bond forfeiture up to a maximum of $200.


INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE

The MHSAA, in cases of severe weather disruptions, may have to make decisions as to the possible rescheduling of Provincial Championships.  MHSAA decisions will be based on Environment Canada weather reports, the Manitoba Highway reports and weather conditions at the host site.

 Information on possible schedule changes will be posted on the host website between 6:30 and 7:00 am on the day of the Championship.  Schools will also be emailed any changes.  In case of inclement weather, schools should refrain from travelling to Provincial Championships until they receive notification from the MHSAA Assistant Executive Director with instructions and updated scheduling.  Schools deciding to travel prior to receiving notification from MHSAA Assistant Executive Director do so at their own risk and will be responsible for their travel and hotel costs, should the event be postponed or changed.

Many schools travel to Provincial Championships on the day prior to the championship beginning.  In cases where most schools are already at the host site, the convenor along with MHSAA assistant director will try to modify schedules to accommodate teams that will be arriving later due to weather conditions.