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Rules

General Rules

  • Full face shield/cage must be worn by players in Division D and Division C. A minimum of a visor is required in Division B. No exceptions.

  • Slapshots are allowed in the tournament in all divisions (please be mindful).

  • Players may play for one (1) team only in one (1) division only. Roster spots are non-transferrable. Exceptions will only be made for emergency situations.

  • Teams may replace a player in the event of an injury or sickness only. All replacement players must be approved by the Chelsea Challenge Organizing Committee.

  • Players must play in more than 50% of Round-Robin games to be eligible for Playoff (if applicable) and Championship games:
    • at least two (2) games if player is assigned to a division with 3 Round-Robin games

    • at least three (3) games if player is assigned to a division with 4 Round-Robin games

  • USA Hockey Rules are followed with the following exception:

    • Icing: Icing will be called when a player shoots the puck across both blue lines and the opposing team’s goal line, and the puck remains untouched. Any pucks shot from outside a team’s own defensive zone will not be considered icing. No line changes are allowed on icing.

  • You are allowed to enter the rink as soon as the Olympia and rink staff are off the ice and the rink doors are closed. This is when the warm-up clock will start.


Round-Robin Games

  • WARM-UP: Three (3) minutes.

  • PERIODS: Three (3) 12-minute periods (stop time).

  • OVERTIME: There will be no overtime in Round-Robin games.

  • Point scoring for Round-Robin games: Each period is treated as a “game” and the team that scores the most goals in that period will win the points. Eight (8) total points are awarded for each game. Points are awarded as follows:

    • For each Period (6 total points)

      • Two (2) points are awarded to the team with the higher number of goals within the period.

      • One (1) point is awarded to each team when each team has the same number of goals within the period.

      • Zero (0) points are awarded to the team with the lesser number of goals within the period.

    • For each Game (2 total points)

      • Two (2) points are awarded to the team with the higher number of goals at the end of the game.

      • One (1) point is awarded to each team when each team has the same number of goals at the end of the game.

      • Zero (0) points are awarded to the team with the lesser number of goals at the end of the game.

  • For divisions with playoffs, total points earned during Round-Robin games determine how teams will be seeded in any Playoff Game.

  • For divisions without playoffs, total points earned during Round-Robin games determine how teams will be seeded for Championship games.

  • Should two teams be tied after the Round-Robin, the ranking will be determined in the following priority: 

    1. Head to head

    2. Number of wins

    3. Fewest goals against

    4. Number of periods won

  • If three or more teams are tied after the round-robin, the ranking will be determined in above priority starting with 2) Number of Wins.


PLAYOFFS (IF APPLICABLE) AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

  • These games are scored in the traditional manner. (The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.)

  • WARM-UP: Three (3) minutes.

  • PERIODS: Three (3) 12-minute periods (stop time).

  • OVERTIME: Ties after three periods will be determined by a 5-minute (run time except last minute will be stop-time) 4-on-4 sudden death overtime period.

  • SHOOTOUT: Should the score remain tied after the overtime period, a shoot-out will follow. Each team captain will designate three (3) players to participate in the shootout; all three (3) players on each team will shoot. If the teams are still tied at the end of three (3) shooters, a sudden-death shoot-out begins. NOTE: A player may not shoot a second time until all of the players on their bench have participated.


Other Rules

  • While on the ice, all players must wear a HECC approved helmet with chin-strap properly fastened under the chin. The wearing of approved throat protectors for all players is strongly recommended.

  • Three Penalty Rule: Any player assessed three (3) contact penalties in one (1) game shall be ruled off the ice for the remainder of the game. Double minors count as two (2) penalties.

  • Game Misconduct Penalty in the Final Ten (10) Minutes of Game Rule: A game misconduct penalty only incurs automatic next-game suspension if it occurs in the last ten minutes of game (regulation and overtime). In this case, the player will be suspended for the next tournament game.

  • Game Misconduct with a Major Penalty: A game misconduct assessed to a player for receiving a major penalty as a result of a rule infraction, other than the accidental high-stick rule, shall automatically incur a one game suspension. Depending on the severity of the infraction, the offender may be subject to further disciplinary action.

  • Abuse of Officials: Only a team captain may approach an official to ask questions about a play. However, a minor penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who challenges or disputes the ruling of an official during the game or who displays unsportsmanlike conduct. If the person persists, he shall be assessed a Misconduct penalty and any further disputes will result in a Game Misconduct penalty. A referee is NOT required to assess a minor penalty under this rule before assessing a misconduct, or a game misconduct for the same reason, and may assess either penalty initially.

  • Boarding & Body Contact: A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee, based on the intent and violence of the impact with the opposing player, shall be assessed to any player who intentionally bodies, pushes, shoves, stands in front of an opponent for the purpose of making contact and/or does not attempt to avert body contact with an opponent. When injury results from intentional body contact, a Major penalty shall be assessed. In the event that a player, by committing an infraction of the rules, causes an opponent to collide with the boards, the minor penalty normally assessed under the rules will be waived, and a double minor penalty will be assessed. The major and/or match penalty applicable to the rule will be assessed in a normal manner. Where, in the opinion of the referee, accidental contact has taken place, no penalty shall be assessed.

  • Fighting: Fighting will result in ejection from the tournament.

  • No Checking! All players are reminded that the Chelsea Challenge is a friendly tournament. This weekend is about hockey, fun and meeting new people. Please keep your game in control and refrain from any unsportsmanlike acts.

(Updated May 4, 2023)