Article 5 - Tournament
5.1 NIHL will host a season ending Tournament at each age and competition level to determine Championship Teams. The Tournament Format will be determined by the Tournament Committee. The Tournament Format may vary from season to season, as the Format will be dependent on the number of NIHL teams, the number of Tiers (if any), and age and competition levels of the NIHL teams. Tournament Committee recommendations shall be approved by the Executive Board.
5.2 Team managers and coaches need to consult with their organization’s NIHL Representative and club President regarding the tournament rules and regulations prior to the start of the tournament.
5.3 No fees or admission will be charged at NIHL tournament games. Admission or fees may be charged only at the NIHL Championship Games, subject to the control of the Tournament Committee.
5.4 NIHL requires that all teams participating in the NIHL Tournament demonstrate respect for the host sites. At NIHL championship games, any team that leaves its assigned locker room in a worse state than when the team entered (such as spilled food or beverages or other trash left on floors or benches) shall be fined $500. If damage occurs to a locker room while assigned to a team at a NIHL championship game, the team will be responsible to pay for all repairs and is subject to an additional fine as determined by the Rules & Ethics Committee. Host site and NIHL Tournament personnel are responsible for reporting any violations of this rule to the Rules & Ethics Committee with appropriate documentation. The use of cameras, including on handheld devices, is not permitted in locker rooms at NIHL championship games, except by host site and Tournament personnel for purposes of documenting violations of this rule.
5.5 All non-probationary organizational members of NIHL shall have an equal opportunity to host one or more levels or segments of the Tournament, except for organizations defined as “Affected Clubs” in Article 4, paragraph 4.18.1 of these rules and subject to the “Peoria Rule”. In NIHL Tournament divisions that feature single-game elimination rounds, the first round games will be played at the higher-seeded team's home rink, without regard to whether the higher-seeded team is affiliated with an “Affected Club”. Except for first round single elimination games, “Affected Clubs” are not allowed to host any other Tournament divisions until NIHL has reached out to organizations not subject to the Peoria Rule a second time about hosting a Tournament division. If, after indicating to organizations that are not subject to the Peoria Rule that unless one of these organizations steps up and offers to host a Tournament division, an “Affected Club” will host a tournament division.
5.6 Any team which successfully petitions to play at the lowest competitive level, pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 2.9 of these rules, shall not participate in any NIHL tournament games or awards for that season without having first petitioned the Rules and Ethics Committee pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 2.9.4 of these rules.
5.7 In order for a player to qualify to play in any NIHL tournament game (including a qualifying game to make the team eligible for the NIHL Tournament); a player must have participated in a minimum of 60% of the team's NIHL League games (including the seeding round). Tournament and exhibition games are not to be considered when determining the 60% minimum. Protested games (or periods) which are replayed in whole or in part, will not count toward the minimum game requirement if the player in question was not rostered at the time of the original game. A player’s missed games because of injury shall be considered to have been played for purposes of this paragraph
5.7.1 For purposes of determining a player’s eligibility to play in any NIHL tournament game, it is the responsibility of the team manager(s) to:
5.7.1.1 Ensure that score sheets are accurately prepared so that it may be determined if a player is injured (marked INJ on score sheet), suspended (marked SUSP on score sheet), or simply absent for non-medical reasons (marked ABS on score sheet) for each game.
5.7.1.2 Collect and retain a legible copy of each and every score sheet for all NIHL seeding round and regular season games played (HOME and AWAY) by that team.
5.7.1.3 Submit to the Chair of the NIHL Rules & Ethics Committee, electronically (through the link on the NIHL website); within 48 hours after the game is concluded, a copy of the score sheet from any game in which a player or coach received a penalty or penalties requiring a suspension.
5.7.1.4 Submit to the Chair of the Rules & Ethics Committee, electronically (through the link on the NIHL website); within 48 hours after the game is concluded, a copy of the score sheet in which any player or coach from that team served a suspension.
5.8 If during the course of qualifying and/or tournament games, it is determined that a player has not met the applicable eligibility rule and has participated in these games, that player’s organization will be subject to the following fine: $1,000 and the loss of any/all games that player participated in.
5.9 Teams eligible for the tournament are determined from the final, regular season, standings and points earned; two (2) points per game won, and one (1) point per tie game.
5.10 The NIHL Executive Board, in conjunction with the NIHL Rules and Ethics Committee, reserves the right to alter the final standings under extenuating circumstances, to better and more accurately reflect a fair interpretation of the competition of the NIHL tournament.
5.11 REGULAR SEASON ENDING TIE BREAKING SYSTEM. When teams are tied in point totals, at the conclusion of the regular season, the following system will be used to determine which of the tied teams will be selected and/or which team will rank higher in assigning the placement for appropriate playoffs.
Note: When three (3) or more teams are tied, any one step in this system will be used to "separate" one or more teams from the tie. In the event that one step separates one team (or teams) from the other, still tied teams (either "ahead" of the remaining tied teams, or "behind"), the system is to be repeated, beginning from the first step, to separate the remaining tied teams. (For example, three teams, blue, red, and yellow, are tied for third place. As they all played each other once, defeating one team and losing to the other, step b is used next. The blue and red teams both have a goal differential in these head to head games of +1 while the yellow team has a goal differential in these head to head games of -2. As a result, the yellow team is assigned 5th place, while the blue and red teams are now considered tied for 3rd. To break this (now) two way tie, the system is used from the start, beginning with step A of the two tied teams.)
Note: If two or more ties exist at a level, this system will be used to break the "higher seed" tie first, followed by the calculation to break the "lower seed" tie. This is to accommodate step D, if needed. (For example, if two teams, green and red are tied for first place, and two teams, blue and yellow are tied for third place, this system will be used to determine which team (green or red) will be in first and which will be in second, followed by the use of the system to break the tie for third place and fourth place between the blue and yellow teams. The determined first place team will then be used in step D to break the tie for third place.
A. The average number of points acquired in the game(s) between the tied teams. (This step is to be used only if all tied teams have played each other at least once.)
B. The average goal differential from the game(s) between the tied teams (again, this step is to be used only if all tied teams have played each other at least once.) Their position will be in order of the greater surplus.
C. Goal differential of the entire regular season.
D. The average number of points acquired in the game(s) between the tied teams and the highest seeded common opponent which all tied teams have played at least once, that is NOT tied with the teams that are tied. (In the event that more than one tie exists in the standings, and the "highest seeded, common opponent" is involved in a tie as well, the two tied teams which will represent that "highest seeded, common opponent" will both be treated as if they were solely one team, and the two teams' combined results will be used to break the tie at that level. (For example, two teams, green and red, are tied for first place, and two teams, blue and yellow, are tied for third place. To break the tie between the green and red teams, step D is used, and the green team's results against both the yellow and blue teams will be compared to the red team's results against both the yellow and blue teams).
E. Continue point "D" with the next highest seeded, common opponent which all tied teams have played at least once, until all teams have been analyzed.
F. The average goal differential in the game(s) between the tied teams and the highest seeded, common opponent which all tied teams have played at least once, that is NOT tied with the teams that are tied.
G. Continue point "F" with the next highest seeded, common opponent which all tied teams have played at least once, until all teams have been analyzed.
H. Count the number of losses showing on the records of the tied teams (in regular season play only). Their position shall be in the order of the fewest losses.
I. Count the number of wins showing on the records of the tied teams (in regular season play only). Their position shall be in the order of the most wins.
J. Coin flip (performed by the executive board).
5.12 Tournament Format:
5.12.1 Playing periods for all tournament games are the same as regular season periods outlined in Article 4, paragraph 10.
In all games, the higher seeded team shall be designated as the home team.
5.12.2 Premier Select Level: The tournament at the Premier Select level will consist of a, bracketed, double game elimination format. The number of teams eligible for the tournament, as determined by the tournament committee shall be announced prior to the beginning of the regular season.
Two (2) brackets, equal in number of teams shall be established. Teams will be seeded, within each bracket, in the order in which they finished in the regular season final standings. First round games in each bracket will be played with the highest seeded team playing the lowest seeded team. The second highest seed will play the second lowest seeded team. The winners of the first-round games will advance to the Winners Bracket to play each other in the second round.
The losers of the first-round games will advance to the Losers Bracket to play each other in the second round.
The loser of the second round, Winners Bracket game will then play the winner of the second round Losers Bracket game in a third-round game while the winner of the Winners Bracket second round game will advance to the fourth round and will play the winner of the Losers Bracket third round game. If the winner of the fourth-round game has progressed through the Losers Bracket, a final game between the same two teams will be played to determine the bracket champion. If the winner of the fourth-round game has progressed through the Winners Bracket, that team shall be declared the bracket champion. The two bracket champions will play for the league championship.
5.12.3 Gold A and Elite Levels: The tournament at the Gold A and Elite levels will consist of a round robin type of format. The top 6 or 8 teams (as determined by the tournament committee, based on the total number of teams at each level, and to be announced at the start of the regular season) based on the final standings of the regular season, will advance to the round robin. These teams will be divided into two brackets, with each team playing the other teams in their brackets to determine which teams, finishing first in their brackets, will play in the championship games, and which teams, finishing second in their brackets, will play in the consolation game.
5.12.4 Gold B, Silver and Bronze Levels: The tournament at the Gold B, Silver and Bronze levels will consist of a single game elimination format. A total of 16 teams (or less, as determined by the tournament committee, based on the total number of teams at each level, and to be announced at the start of the regular season) will be selected based on the final standings of the regular season and seeded from #1-#16. These teams will be selected by a formula dependent upon the number of tiers at the level by the tournament director so as to produce a competitive field from the tier(s). The number of teams selected from each tier will be announced at the start of the regular season. The tournament teams will play the first round of single elimination games at the home rink of the higher seed. The winners of these games will then proceed to a host site to participate in the second round games, and if winning, advance to the third round. The winners of the third round games will participate in the championship games, while the losers of the third round games will participate in the consolation games.
5.12.5 The Executive Board, in conjunction with the Tournament Committee reserves the right to determine the format of the tournament at any given playing level to more accurately reflect a fair interpretation of the competition during the NIHL tournament. Any modification of a format described in paragraphs 5.12.2, 5.12.3 or 5.12.4 above shall be announced prior to the beginning of the regular season.
5.13 Rules for Qualifying Games, Double Elimination Single Elimination, Championship and Consolation Tournament Games.
5.13.1 All NIHL Rules and Regulations apply to qualifying, double elimination and single elimination tournament games, except as may be recommended by the Tournament Committee and approved by the Executive Board. Minor officials will be furnished by the member organization hosting the game. Except for first round, single game elimination tournament games, on-ice officials will be furnished by the Tournament Committee. As regards first round single game elimination tournament games, On-ice officials shall be furnished by the higher seeded team and the costs for On-ice officials and ice rental shall be shared equally by both teams.
5.13.2 All games are to be played until a winner is determined. In the event of a tie score at the end of regulation play, the overtime format will be as follows:
5.13.2.1 FOR QUALIFYING, DOUBLE ELIMINATION, SINGLE ELIMINATION AND TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES:
The teams will take a two-minute break and proceed to play a 5 on 5 sudden death, overtime period of the same duration as the standard, age appropriate game periods. Teams shall defend the goal further from their respective benches during the first overtime period. If a tie still exists after any overtime period, the teams will take a two-minute break and continue to play sudden death, overtime periods until a winner is determined. The teams will change the goals to be defended after each overtime period.
5.13.2.1.1. OVERTIME CONTINGENCY PROCEDURE:
If, in the opinion of a committee comprised of the Tournament Director, the President and a third member of the Executive Board appointed by the President, the duration of a game must be curtailed; the following procedure is to be followed:
The committee will determine the number of additional overtime periods which are to be played, after which a "shootout" will take place in accordance with the procedure described in paragraph 5.13.2.3. The decision of the committee will be communicated to the head coach of each team and the referees no later than the commencement of the last overtime period to be played. The decision of the committee is final with no right of appeal.
5.13.2.2 TOURNAMENT CONSOLATION GAMES:
The teams will take a two-minute break and proceed to play a 5 on 5, sudden death, overtime period of the same duration as the standard, age appropriate game periods. Teams shall defend the goal further from their respective benches during the first overtime period. If a tie still exists after the first overtime period, the teams will take a two-minute break, change the goals to be defended and play a second 5 on 5, sudden death, overtime period of the same duration. Should a tie still exist after two sudden death periods are completed, a "shootout" shall take place in accordance with the procedure described in paragraph 5.13.2.3.
5.13.2.3 "SHOOTOUT" PROCEDURE:
Each team shall designate three (3) shooters who will alternate in shooting on the opposing goaltender in accordance with USA Hockey rules governing a "penalty shot". Goaltenders shall occupy the goal closest to their team's player's bench for the shootout. The home team shall have the choice of shooting first or second. Eligible players from each team shall participate in the shootout and they shall proceed in such order as the coach selects. The team scoring the greater number of goals shall be declared the winner. If, after 3 shooters from each team have completed their shots, a tie still exists; the shootout will proceed to a "sudden death" format. No player may shoot twice until every eligible player on their respective team has shot. Regardless of the number of goals scored during the shootout portion of overtime, the final score recorded for the game will give the winning team one more goal than its opponent, based on the score at the end of regulation play.
5.14 Rules for Round Robin Tournament:
5.14.1 All NIHL Rules and Regulations apply to round robin games, except as may be recommended by the Tournament Committee and approved by the Executive Board. On-ice officials will be furnished by the Tournament Committee rather than by the home team or host member organization. Minor officials will be furnished by the member organization hosting the game.
5.14.2 Tournament Round Robin Tie Breaking System If there exists, a tie in team standings at the conclusion of round robin play, the following tie-breaking system shall be used:
Note: If three (3) or more teams are tied, one step in this system may be used to determine the order of all teams involved in the deadlock. However, in the event that one step in this system "separated" one or more teams from the deadlock (either "ahead" of the remaining tied teams or "behind"), but leaves at least two teams remaining in a tie, that removed team (or teams) will no longer be considered to be part of the deadlock, while the system is to be repeated, beginning from the first step, to separate the remaining tied teams. (For example, three teams, blue, red, and yellow, are tied for first place. In the round robin play, each of the teams defeated one team and lost to the other, thus step b is used next. The blue and red teams both have a goal differential in these head to head games of +1, which the yellow team has a goal differential in these head to head games of -2. As a result, the yellow team is awarded 3rd place, while the blue and red teams are now considered tied for 1st. To break this (now) two way tie, the system is used from the start, beginning with step a between the two tied teams.)
A. The points acquired in the games between the tied teams (head to head games).
B. The goal differential from the games between the tied teams. Their position will be in order of the greater surplus.
C. The number of points acquired in the games between the highest seeded (entering the tournament), common opponent which was NOT tied with the teams in question.
D. Continue point "C" with the next highest seeded, common opponent.
E. The goal differential from the games between the tied teams and the highest seeded common opponent which was NOT tied with the teams in question.
F. Continue point "E" with the next highest seeded, common opponent.
G. Count the number of wins (from the tournament). Their position shall be in order of most wins.
H. Count the number of losses (from the tournament). Their position shall be in order of the least loses.
I. Teams allowing the fewest goals scored against in tournament play.
J. The higher seed, as determined by the final regular season standings, shall advance.
