Manitoba Mustangs

All games in the tournament are 20-minute stop-time periods. Should a team have a lead of 7 goals or more at ANY TIME during play following the drop of the puck, running time shall apply. Should this lead revert back to 5 goals or less, stop time will resume. This mercy rule will apply to ALL games of the tournament.

The clock will not be stopped during straight time (i.e. when the mercy rule is in effect) while the referee deals with any penalties.

(a). Penalties during Stop-Time
Minor: Two (2) minutes
Major: Five (5) minutes
Misconduct: Ten (10) minutes

(b). Penalties during Mercy Rule
Minor: Three (3) minutes from the drop of the puck
Major: Seven (7) minutes from the drop of the puck
Misconduct: Fifteen (15) minutes from the drop of the puck

If teams are tied at the end of regulation time, there will he a two (2) minute break with no ice flood. After the break five (5) minutes will be put on the clock and played out at stop- time with five (5) skaters on each side. The first team that scores shall be declared the winner at any point during the overtime. If there is still a tie at the end of the first five (5) minutes overtime, another five (5) minutes will be put on the clock and be played out with four skaters an each team. If there is still a tie after the second five (5) minutes of overtime, there will be a two (2) minute break followed by a twenty (20) minute stop-time period with three skaters from each team. Play will continue until a winner is declared. There will be additional twenty (2O) minute periods until a winner is declared. In the event that there is a penalty with five skaters on each team, the penalized team will play a man short until the penalty has expired.

If there is a penalty near the end of the five (5) skaters per team overtime, the penalty will carry into the next overtime (Four (4) skaters per team). When the penalty expires, then the penalized player will enter the game

If a penalty occurs when teams are playing with four (4) skaters on each team, the penalized player will enter the game when the penalty expires. If the penalty occurs near the end of the four (4) skaters on each team, the penalty will carry into the three (3) skaters per team. When the penalty expires, the player will enter the game. When the play stops, the teams will revert back to three (3) skaters per team.

If a penalty occurs when the teams are at the three (3) skaters per team, a team player will be added to the non-penalized team (for the duration of the penalty). When the penalty expires, the penalized player will enter the game and at the next stoppage the teams will revert bark to the three (3) players per team. No team will play with less than three (3) skaters.

To determine team standings in the event of a tie, the following criteria shall be used:

(a) Best win record for games played between tied teams.

(b) If still tied, best win record.

(c) Least goals against.

(d) If still tied, best plus minus record based on goals for and against.
The team with the best goal average would qualify. The goal average of a team is determined by dividing the total number of goals for by the total number of goals against.

(e) If still tied, the team to qualify would be the team who scored the earliest goal in the game between the two tied teams.

(f) If still tied, the team to qualify would be the team that received the least minutes in penalties.

(g) If still tied after all previous methods have been applied, the winner will be decided by a single toss of a coin.

 One 30 second time out will be allowed per team per game.

Should an injury occur during straight time, i.e. when the Mercy Rule is in effect, the clock will stop only at the direction of the ref. In the opinion of the referee, if the injury to the player is mild in nature, the clock will continue to run. If the injury is more serious and medical aid is required, the referee will have the clock stopped until the injury to the player has been dealt with. If, in the opinion of the referee, a team should deliberately abuse this rule, the clock will continue to run regardless of the situation.

(a). Five (5) minute major penalty and a game misconduct, which is their first, means the player will sit out the balance of the game.

If the fight occurs in the last half of the third period of the game, players will be assessed a five (5) minute major penalty and a game misconduct, which is their first in the tournament, means the player will sit out the balance of the game and their next game.

Second penalty for fighting: suspended for the balance of the tournament.

(b). FIGHTING - If fight occurs, all skaters on the ice must proceed immediately to their respective bench, or to a neutral area as determined by in ice official. Goaltenders must not leave their crease unless told to do so by an ice official. Players and team officials on the bench most not go on to the ice during an altercation, unless requested to do so by the officials in charge. Violation of rule (b) may result in a two (2) game suspension for all involved.

If a checking from behind penalty occurs any time during a game the player will be assessed a 2 minute minor penalty, and a game misconduct.  If the ref rules that the hit was flagrant, the player will be assessed a 5 minute major penalty and a game misconduct, and the same player will be subject for a review to determine if further disciplinary actions will be taken,

If an injury results from any checking from behind, the player will receive a five (5) minute match penalty and a game misconduct. Upon completion of the game the Tournament Committee will decide if further action is required. MAHA rules will apply.

Will only be allowed when the eligibility of player is in question under the following circumstances.

(a). If the athlete plays in an age division where he/she is too old.
This rule applies to all the teams entered in the tournament.

Protests must be done in writing and be accompanied by a $200.00 cash deposit, which is only refundable if your protest is successful.

All protests will be dealt with by the committee within three (3) hours of filing the appeal.
Teams found in violation of these rules will result in the athlete being disqualified from the rest of the tournament. The team in violation will have all their games that resulted in a win or tie reduced to a loss of 1-0 and all their points in the standings will be reduced to O.
Team affected who lost or tied against the team in violation will receive an official score of 1-0 and receive 2 points.

Under no circumstances will protests be allowed after the round robin portion of the tournament is over. All other protests will not be allowed.

The tournament committee reserves the right to adjust the playing time of any and all games. All teams affected will be advised of the time adjustments.

The tournament committee has the right to suspend play in any game.

The Manitoba Mustangs promote good sportsmanship by male and female athletes, coaches, and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and the officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, athletes, coaches, or team representatives shall not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site and if needed, additional disciplinary action.