The Board will assign one or more rink-side game officials (each, a “Rink Monitor”) to each game. The Rink Monitor(s) will keep track of playing time and goals scored, and when necessary, will make puck possession calls and enforce goaltending and any other rules/policies. Rink Monitors are ice officials, with full discretion and authority to control the game by such means as each Rink deems appropriate, including without limitation calling minor or major penalties, directing one or more players to “sit out” for a period of time, and ejecting players from a game. All Rink Monitor rulings shall be final.
RESPECT THE RINK MONITORS. Black Ice Rink Monitors are volunteers who generously give their time to support the tournament throughout the weekend. Any verbal abuse of Rink Monitors, disregard of Rink Monitor instructions, or threatening behavior will not be tolerated. Players who abuse a Rink Monitor may be ejected from the Tournament.
Minor penalties, as acknowledged by agreement of the players or as determined and called by a Rink Monitor, will result in an immediate stoppage of play and the award of puck possession to the non-offending team.
Minor penalties shall include:
Major penalties will include without limitation the following conduct, which is strictly prohibited:
Major penalties or misconduct, as determined and called by the Rink Monitor may result, at the Rink Monitor’s sole discretion, in (i) an adjustment of the game score and/or (ii) expulsion of the offending player(s). At the discretion of the Board, the expelled player(s) may also be barred from further participation in the Tournament.
A player ejected from the Tournament cannot be replaced.
Teams will earn 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss.
Because of the different number of teams in each bracket, the number of playoff spots may vary by bracket. PLAYOFF QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR EACH BRACKET WILL BE POSTED IN THE PLAYERS’ TENT AND ON THE WEBSITE AT AND AFTER THE OPENING OF THE TOURNAMENT. CHECK THE MONITORS! Generally speaking, the team with the most points in each division within a bracket will automatically qualify for the playoffs, with the remaining playoff slot(s) for each bracket filled by “wild card” team(s) with the next most points, and the teams ceded by points for playoff pairings. The Board’s determinations as to playoff qualifiers, pairings, and the conduct of the playoffs shall be final.
If teams are tied with total points, the following tie-breakers will be used to determine which teams will qualify for the playoffs and/or advance to the next level:
Whichever team won the game played against the team with which it is tied places higher (head to head). If teams tied or did not play, go to Step 2.
If still tied, the team with the least total goals against it places higher.
If still tied, the team with the “highest plus differential” – the difference between (i) the total goals scored by a team against all other teams and (ii) the total goals scored against that team by all other teams.
If still tied, all the goals scored against a tied team will be divided into all the goals scored by that team. The team with the greatest quotient places higher. A team with zero goals will have a divider of 1.
If teams are tied at the end of regulation play in the division semi-final and final games, one 5 minute, running-time, overtime period will be played. The team that scores the most goals during that overtime period will be the winner. If still tied, successive 5 minute, running-time periods will be played until a winner is determined. One minute breaks will be given between overtime periods.
Team entries will not be processed without full payment.
All participants will be required to sign a waiver and provide photo ID (proof of age) upon registration. Any player in violation of the minimum age requirements (an “Underage Player”) in the Open, Recreation and Women Division (at least 18 years old), in the 35 and Over Division (at least 35 years old), or in the 50 and Over Division (at least 50 years old) will forfeit his or her place in the tournament, and any team which plays any portion of a game with an Underage Player will be disqualified from the tournament and will not receive a refund.
A player will only be allowed to play for one team in the tournament.
The Board reserves the right to amend these rules. All teams will be informed of any rule changes prior to the start of the tournament.
The Board reserves the right to prohibit any player or team from participating in the tournament if the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that a player or team is acting in an unsafe, irresponsible, or unsportsmanlike manner.
Please note: professional players – a player considered a “pro” either under contract to play, paid a salary, or receiving paid expenses are not eligible to participate in the Black Ice Pond Hockey tournament. Retired “pros” that have an agreement with a past team will not be considered to be under the “pro” rule.
Teams wishing to withdraw from the tournament prior to December 15 will be refunded one-third of the registration fee. Teams withdrawing after December 15 will not receive a registration fee refund
If the tournament is canceled due to weather or any other reason, at the discretion of the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Association, teams will have the option of either (i) holding their position for the following year’s Black Ice Pond Hockey Championships by leaving their entry fee in escrow with the Association, 80% of which will be applied to the team’s entry fee for the following year, or (ii) receiving a 50% registration fee refund. If the registration fee for the next year’s Black Ice Pond Hockey Championships increases, teams will be required to pay the additional cost. If the tournament has started but is called off due to weather or any other reason, at the discretion of the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Association, refunds may or may not be issued or may be prorated dependent on the number of games played/participated in.
