Tournament Rules

2023 Gary Field Memorial Ringette Tournament Rules

1. The “Current” Ringette Canada Official Rule Book shall be the official playing rules of the Tournament, except for differences indicated in these Tournament Rules
2. Good sportsmanship will be stressed throughout the Tournament.
3. RNS Officials have a zero-tolerance rule toward verbal abuse. Any member of a team, players or staff, as well as their spectators will be asked to leave the arena if they are acting in an aggressive or abusive manner towards the game officials. Players and Coaches will be assessed the appropriate penalties. The tournament has the right to ask any spectators to leave the arena should they be abusive towards an official.
4. The tournament committee reserves the right to make adjustments to any registrant's division, based on the team's current standing in their home league, in order to create a more even competitive play.
5. Tournament divisions that do not have a A or B sub-division are considered balanced, and not open to tier 1 or high performance teams.
6. High performance teams must play in the A division above their age group.
7. If a team has been approved to play with more than 18 players by their home association and league, then they will be allowed to bring the full team to the tournament.
8. All goals scored will be entered on the score sheet, but the maximum difference of goals to be shown on the scoreboard and tournament charts will be seven (7) more than the lower-scoring team’s goals.
9. Teams must be ready to go on the ice ten (10) minutes before game time. A two (2) minute warm-up will commence when the Zamboni leaves the ice surface. Failure to start play when required will result in automatic default of game (posted score 7-0) unless the following circumstances apply:
   1. Team vehicle accident;
   2. Proof of transportation breakdown;
   3. Cancellation or delay of transport due to weather conditions; and
   4. Schedule change and or error not communicated to the teams by the tournament organizers.

Should a game be un-played for one of the above reasons, the tournament organizers will make every attempt possible to reschedule the unplayed game, however, if the tournament organizers are unable to reschedule the un-played game, the game result will be recorded as a posted score of 3-3.

6. Score sheets are to be verified and signed by one bench staff member at least thirty (30) minutes before game time. Identify Captains, assistants, and goalkeepers.
7. All games will consist of two fifteen (15) minute stop-time periods. There will be no overtime in round-robin games.
8. Medals will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.
9. In accordance with changes to Ringette Nova Scotia guidelines for all tournaments in Nova Scotia, U10 games will be jamboree style. This means all teams will have an equal amount of games and there will be no medal rounds.
10. If a final game is tied at the end of regulation play, the following procedure will apply:
    a) The teams will immediately commence a stop-time 10-minute sudden victory period. Possession of the ring will be determined by the tossing of a coin by an on-ice official. The team winning the coin toss will get the free pass and the other team will get the choice of ends.  In the event the game still remains tied, the tie-breaking procedure will be a five player shootout. The order of the shooters will be confirmed before the start of the game by the referee.
11. During round-robin play, teams will receive two (2) points for a win, one (1) point for a tie, and zero (0) points for a loss. At the completion of round-robin play, teams will be ranked according to total points in all games played. The breaking of ties in the standing at the end of round-robin play will be according to Ringette Canada rules for “Breaking of Ties in Team Standings”. In the case of a three-way tie, where team 1 has beaten both team 2 and team 3 in round-robin play, team 1 will move on regardless if team 2 and team 3 have played each other.
12. All U12, U14, and U16 games will be using the 30-second shot clock, provided there is an official to run them. A volunteer from the Home team will be asked to operate the shot clock in round-robin play unless a volunteer has been otherwise provided.
13. No game protest will be accepted. All on-ice decisions and applications of the playing rules will be final. Player eligibility and all other grievances will be arbitrated by the Tournament Chairperson, whose decisions are final.
14. Match penalties will result in suspension from the remainder of the Tournament.
15. If in the 2nd period of any game, there is a seven (7) goal difference or greater, the period will be running time.
16. A player may only play for one Association in their division in the Tournament. Three (3) players may be called across/up to a total of eleven (11) with the permission of the Tournament Chairperson.
17. Players may be called up within their own Association. For example, an HHRA U12 player may play for HHRA U14 in the Tournament. Maximum three (3) players to make eleven (11).
18. In order to be registered with a team in the tournament, the player must be on the roster for this team for regular league play, unless express prior permission is obtained by the tournament chair at the time of registration. For example, an association has two teams in a division in their league, but not all players are interested in attending the tournament; they are unable to combine the rosters and register one team for the tournament.
19. Any changes to the team lists must be submitted to the Tournament Chairperson for approval -  garyfield@hhringette.ca.
20. Any over-age player playing down must be identified to the Tournament Chairperson for approval - garyfield@hhringette.ca.
21. In the event of a jersey color conflict the Visitor, as identified on the game sheet, is required to change. Please ensure you check before each game so there are no last-minute delays as a result of changing. Also please ensure the game sheet is updated, if necessary, with jersey numbers.