1. Composition of teams
Each team may register 23 players, but only 20 including two goaltenders may dress for each game. Players not dressed for a game are not allowed on bench. Each team will be allowed a Captain and 3 Alternates (goaltenders will not be allowed to be Captains or Alternates). A maximum of 5 team officials (Coaches/Manager) will be allowed on the team bench during a game.

2. Players Eligibility levels and birth dates
Divisions:
Initiation - 2012
Minor Novice - 2011
Major Novice - 2010
Minor Atom - 2009
Major Atom - 2008
Minor Pee Wee - 2007
Major Pee Wee - 2006
Female Atom - 2008/2009
Female Pee Wee  - 2006/2007

3. Dressing Rooms
Dressing rooms assignments will be posted each day on the Main board in each arena. Each team must be in their respective rooms at least 30 minutes prior to the posted start of their game. A key to the dressing room must be obtained from the arena office (or tournament office, depending on which rink) prior to each game. A team official must leave a deposit of $20.00. Any damage to the room will be charged to that team(if you see any damage when you first enter the room please contact the tournament office immediately). The tournament committee would appreciate if all the dressing rooms were left clean and free of all damage. The City of Bridges Tournament is not responsible for lost, stolen or broken property.

4. Home/Visiting Teams
The first team listed is the HOME team. All teams must arrange to have a set of both light and dark jerseys. The home team will wear light colored jerseys. If a team does not have the required color of jersey they will be required to wear pinnys.

5. Completing the game sheet
The CAHA rule regarding starting line-ups will not be used, however the captain and up to three assistants must be listed on the game sheet. The visiting team must have their game sheet completed 30 minutes prior to the posted start time of the game. The home team must have their game sheet completed 20 minutes prior to game time. Your first game sheet is your official team roster. All players including AP's must be included even if they are not playing. Players are only allowed to register with one team during the tournament. 
 

6. Game Starts
The intent is to start all games at the posted time. In the event that adjustments are required, they will be posted at the tournament office. ALL teams must be prepared to play 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

7. On Ice Officials
All referees are SAHA approved and are under the direction of their chief assignor. Any complaints should be directed to the tournament office who will have the referee in charge deal with your complaint.

8. Pre-game Warm-up
Teams will be allowed a five (5) minute warm-up at the beginning of the game. Teams must stay on their side of the center red line. Team players are not to conduct stretching exercises between their center red line and their blue line. Teams must be ready to begin the game as soon as the referee blows the whistle.

9. Order of leaving the ice
The referee shall determine which team leaves the ice surface first. Any team leaving prior to the referee saying may be levied a penalty.

10. Ice Floods
Ice floods will occur after every two periods of play, which will commence with the first game of the day. Teams will be given a 15 minute break while the flooding is done. When there is no flooding between periods, each team will be given a 2 minute break. For games that are starting with no flood, teams should be ready to begin their warm-up immediately following the preceding game.

11. Mandatory Equipment
Helmets and full face protectors are mandatory for all players. All Canadian-based teams must wear throat protectors and all USA-based teams must wear mouth guards. Players not conforming to these standards will not be allowed to play until the required equipment is in place. If a player, except a goaltender, losses his/her helmet during play, that player must immediately stop and pick up his/her helmet and put it on, or leave the ice surface. All helmet straps must be reconnected prior to re-entering the game. If a goaltender loses his/her face mask, play will be stopped immediately.

12. Alternate Goaltender
ALL alternate goaltenders ARE REQUIRED to wear protection while the game is in progress. The alternate goalie must be prepared to play at all times. An injured goaltender must be replaced within two (2) minutes (unless seriously injured). A goaltender coming in to replace and injured goaltender will be allowed a two (2) minute warm-up. Should the starting goaltender return to play, no further warm-up will be permitted. During any game, this warm-up shall be used only once per new goaltender.

13. Mercy Rule
All games in the tournament are 20-minute stop time periods. Should a team have a lead of 6 goals or more in the third period of play only this rule shall apply. Should this lead revert back to 5 goals or less, stop time will resume. This mercy rule will apply to all games in the tournament. NOTE: In no case will the winning team be credited with more than a six goal difference.

14. Penalties
The clock will not be stopped during straight time (i.e. when the mercy rule is in effect) while the referee deals with any penalties.
Penalties during stop time
Minor: Two (2) minutes 
Major: Five (5) minutes
Misconduct: Ten (10) minutes
Penalties during straight time (mercy rule)(running time)
Minor: Three (3) minutes from the drop of the puck
Major: Seven (7) minutes from the drop of the puck
Misconduct: Fifteen (15) minutes from the drop of the puck

15. Round Robin Play
There will be no overtime in the Round Robin games.
Points will be awarded as follows:
Two (2) for a win
One (1) for a tie
None (0) for a loss

16. Playoffs
The playoff format will be adjusted to reflect the number of teams in each division. The seeding of teams will be based on where they ended up after round robin play.

17. Overtime in Playoffs
The first team that scores shall be declared the winner at any point during the overtime. There will be a two (2) minute break followed by a twenty (20) minute stop time period with three skaters from each team. Play will continue until a winner is declared. If a penalty occurs when the teams are at the three (3) skaters per team, then a player will be added to the non-penalized team (for the duration of the penalty). When the penalty expires, the penalized player will enter the game and the next stoppage the teams will revert back to three (3) players per team. 
No team will play with less than three (3) skaters.

18. Tie in Standing
To determine standings in the event of a tie, the following criteria shall be used (SAHA Constitution, Bylaws, Regulations 3.09.01. pages 48-49).
(a). Best win record played between tied teams.
(b). If still tied, best win record in ALL games.
(c). If still tied, best plus minus record based on goals for and against between tied teams in all games.
(d). The team with the best goal average would qualify. The goal average of a team is determined by dividing the total NUMBER OF GOALS FOR by the TOTAL OF GOALS AGAINST. The goal ratio will be for games between the tied teams only.
(e). If still tied, the team to qualify would be the team who scored the earliest goal in the game between the two tied teams.
(f). If still tied, the team to qualify would be the team that received the least minutes in penalties.
(g). If still tied after all previous methods have been applied, the winner will be decided by a single toss of a coin.
The six (6) goal maximum differential will apply to all of the above.
If (C & D) is applied it shall be for all games played by the two teams.

Wildcards will be determined by the following
(a). Total points during pool play.
(b). If still tied, best win record.
(c). If still tied, best plus-minus record based on goals for and against in all pool games.
(d). The team with the best goal average would qualify. The goal average of a team is determined by dividing the total number of goals for by the total number of goals against.
(f). If still tied, the team to qualify would be the team that received the least minutes in penalties.
(g). If still tied after all previous methods have been applied, the winner will be decided by a single toss of a coin.
The six (6) goal maximum differential will apply to all of the above.
If (C & D) is applied it shall be for all games played by the two teams.

19. Icing
CENTRE RED LINE: Will only be used for icing. Two line passes are allowed. The no touch icing rule will be in effect.

20. Body Checking (CHA Rules will apply)
There will be no body checking for minor novice, major novice, minor atom, major atom, minor pee wee, female atom, female pee wee, female bantam, female midget divisions.

21. Fighting Penalties (CHA Rules will apply)

22. Checking from behind (CHA Rules will apply)

23. Match penalty/Gross misconduct (CHA Rules will apply)

24. Major Penalties (CHA Rules will apply)

25. Slap Shots
Will be allowed in all levels

26. Stick Measurements
Absolutely no stick measurements at any time.

27. Time Outs
1 30 second time out will be allowed per team per game.

28. Injury
Should an injury occur during straight time, ie when Mercy Rule is in effect, the clock will stop only at the direction of the referee. In the opinion of the referee, if the injury to the player is in mild nature, the clock will continue to run. If the injury is more serious and medical aid is required, the referee will have the clock stopped until the injury to the player has been dealt with. If, in the opinion of the referee, a team should deliberately abuse this rule, the clock will continue to run regardless of the situation.

29. Coincidental Penalties
If coincidental penalties are called, NEITHER team will skate shorthanded.

30. Noise Making Devices
Absolutely no air horns are allowed in any of the arenas. Your team may be issued a minor penalty for the delay of the game for using your air horn.

31. Awards
The champions and runner-up teams in the "A" final in all age classes as well as the consolation winner will receive "City of Bridges" custom medallions.

32. Protests
Will only be allowed when the eligibility of a player is in question under the following circumstances.
(a). If the athlete plays in an age division where he/she is too old.
This rule applies to all the teams entered in the tournament.
Protests must be filed in writing and be accompanied by a $200.00 cash deposit, which is only refundable if your protest is successful. All protests will be dealt with by the committee within three (3) hours of you filing the appeal.
Teams found in violation of these rules will result in the athlete being disqualified from the rest of the tournament. The team in violation will have all their games that resulted in a win or tie reduced to a loss of 1-0 and all their points in the standings will be reduced to 0. Teams affected who lost or tied against the team in violation will receive an official score of 1-0 and receive 2 points.
Under no circumstances will protests be allowed after the round robin portion of the tournament if over.
All other protests will not be allowed.
The tournament committee reserves the right to adjust the playing time of any and all games. All teams affected will be advised of the time adjustments.
The tournament committee has the right to suspend play in any game.

33. Tournament Committee
Lauren Shmyr
Lorie Heggie
Jeff Shmyr
Bryan Reiter
Randi Ditto
Rick Ditto

 

The tournament committee has the FINAL say in all decision making.