Buckeye Travel Hockey League
2003-04 Tournament Rules

All games will be governed by the rules and regulations of USA Hockey and BTHL.

Any team registered with the BTHL for regular season play will participate in these End-Of-Year Play-Offs.

Game Times - All games will be played with 3 - 12 (twelve) minute, periods. There will be a (2) minute warm-up prior to each game with a (1) minute break between periods. Each team will be permitted one, one-minute time out, provided there is sufficient time remaining as determined by the on-ice officials.

All games will be played in stop time. In the situation where a curfew exists a running clock will be imposed as determined by the on-ice officials.

Minor Officials - Each team must provide 2 adult minor officials. Each team must supply a penalty box attendant and either a scorekeeper or timekeeper. Failure to provide either or both minor officials by game time will result in a bench minor to the offending team(s). Minor officials must check in with the tournament official 20 minutes prior to game time.

Home Team - The higher seed team is always the HOME TEAM and will wear light jerseys. The visitors will wear dark. All teams must be ready to play 20 minutes prior to game time. Games will start early if the games are ahead of schedule.

Mercy Rule - Any game that has a (5) goal differential at the end of the second period shall change to running clock for the third period. If the goal differential changes to 3 goals, stop time will be resumed. During running clock, time will stop only for goals, penalties, injuries and situations deemed necessary by the on-ice officials.

Penalties - Minor Penalties will be 2:00 minutes, Major Penalties with be 5:00 minutes and Misconduct's will be 10:00 minutes in length.

Any player, coach, manager or trainer given a penalty incurring a game misconduct will result in automatic ejection for the remainder of the tournament.

Tiebreakers

In all divisions, if a preliminary round game ends in a tie, the following steps will be used to determine the winner, in order: Referee will flip a coin to determine which team will shoot first.

1. 5 - Skater Shoot-Out, skaters to be designated by coach of each team.
2. 3 - Skater Shoot-Out, different group of skaters than previous.
3. 3 - Skater Shoot-Out, different group of skaters than previous, unless entire team has already participated. This will continue until conclusion.

If a championship game ends in a tie the following tiebreaker will be used to determine the winner:

1. 5-minute sudden death overtime. (Added 2/20/2001)
2. 5 - Skater Shoot-Out, skaters to be designated by coach of each team.
3. 3 - Skater shoot-out, different group of skaters than previous.
4. 3 - Skater shoot-out, different group of skaters than previous, unless entire team has already participated. This will continue until conclusion.

Protests - No protests shall be permitted on the playing rules.

General Conduct - When each game is complete, each team should promptly clear the locker room so the next team may begin preparations.

All games are on a very tight schedule. The referees and play-off officials will be using a "Zero Tolerance" policy for arguments that cause a delay of game. The referees, play-off officials and rink officials reserve the right to remove anyone from the rink. The decisions of the Play-off Officials are final.

No alcoholic beverages will be permitted in the ice arena playing area; this includes the player’s bench, scoring booth, penalty boxes, locker rooms and stands. Alcoholic beverages must stay in the area of where it was served.