Winterfest Rules

Our tournament will abide by ORA Sanctioned Event rules, unless specifically outlined below.

Warm-Up Rules - IMPORTANT!!
Warm Up times will be limited to 3 minutes from the time the Zamboni doors close. These times will be strictly adhered to. Thank you for respecting this time limit.

Team Rules
Teams must be prepared and ready to start each game ten (10) minutes before their scheduled game times. A team requested to start early and not ready to play 10 minutes before their scheduled game time can lose by default.

ORA guidelines for U8 play will be in effect for these divisions. No scores will be posted. There are no finals. Goalie sticks are the only special goalie equipment allowed. 2-minute buzzer will be used for shifts. One coach per team is allowed on ice.

Games
U19AA and U16AA divisions will play two 20 minute stop time periods. All other divisions will play two 15 minute stop time periods.

1. Any game in pool play may remain tied at the end of regulation time and each team will be awarded one (1) point. All semi-final and final games will be played until a winner is declared and in compliance with rules 2-5 below.

2. If the score of a final game is tied at the end of regulation time, there will be one (1) overtime stop time period, (of same duration used in that game) which will be sudden victory (i.e. the first team to score in that overtime period will be declared the winner).

3. If neither team scores during the first stop time overtime period, there will be successive stop time sudden victory overtime periods until a goal is scored to break the tie.

4. Possession on the free pass to start the first overtime period is decided by the tossing of a coin by the referee. The team winning the toss will get the free pass. The other team will get the choice of ends.

5. If additional overtime periods are required, possession of the ring for the opening free pass will alternate between teams. The teams will also exchange ends for each overtime period.

6. 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) goals more than the lower scoring team's total (i.e. if the score is 12-1, show 8-1. If the lower team scores, change the scoreboard to show 9-2).

Point Structure
1. Teams receive two (2) points for a win, zero (0) points for a loss, and one (1) point for a tie.

2. The team with the most points in each division will be declared the top team in that division.

3. The second place team is the team having the second highest number of points, etc.

4. In a forfeited game the score will be 7-0. The team forfeiting shall receive zero (0) points and the other team receives two (2) points. If a team has forfeited a game, that team will be ranked the lowest position amongst the tied teams. In a cancelled game (due to bad weather, etc.) score is recorded as 0-0 with both teams receiving one (1) point.

SHOT CLOCK
Shot clocks will be used for all divisions from Petite divisions up. Shot clock rules will be in effect.

Note: The procedures will declare team(s) in individual rankings. In some cases, there will still be a tie within the rankings. (i.e.: in a four-way tie for first in a round robin, the procedures could place one team clearly first with two teams tied for second/third and one team fourth). In these cases, start at step 1 and follow the procedures to resolve the ranking of the remaining tied teams.

The ranking of tied teams will be determined in the following order:

1. If one of the tied teams has beaten all other tied teams, rank that team highest.

2. If still tied and all tied teams have not played each other go directly to Step 7.

3. If still tied, rank the teams in order of wins between the tied teams.

4. If still tied, rank teams in order of the plus/minus (goals for minus goals against) in games between the tied teams.

5. If still tied, rank teams using the following formula in games between the tied teams (Goals For + Goals Against) / Goals Against

6. If still tied, rank teams in order of the most goals for in games between the tied teams.

7. If still tied, rank the teams in order of wins between all teams.

8. If still tied, rank teams in order of the plus/minus (goals for minus goals against) in games between all teams.

9. If still tied, rank teams using the following formula in games between all teams - (Goals For + Goals Against) / Goals Against

10. If still tied, rank teams in order of the most goals for in games between all teams.

11. If still tied, rank teams where the team with the most fully served penalties will rank lower

12. If still tied, rank teams using least penalty minutes in games between the tied teams.

13. If still tied, rank teams using least penalty minutes in games between all teams.

14. If still tied, a coin toss (for 2 teams) or draw from a hat (for more than 2 teams) will determine higher rank.

Grievances & Protests
No protest or grievances will be considered regarding an official's on ice judgment or application of the rules. Questions concerning rule interpretation can be directed to the tournament Referee-In-Chief. Tournament volunteers at the arenas will be able to contact the Referee-In-Chief.

In the unlikely event that there is a protest or grievance,  the Tournament Protest and Grievance Committee will render any related decisions. All decisions of this committee will be considered final.

Situations Involving Abuse & Harassment
Waterloo Ringette is focused on creating a positive experience for our players and we encourage a Fair Play attitude. Any person who interferes with the game or verbally abuses a PLAYER, COACH, OFFICAL, TIMEKEEPER or SHOT CLOCK OPERATOR, will be asked to leave the playing area and not return. The Head Coach will be notified by an on-ice official to remove the person. If the person refuses to leave the playing area after a reasonable period of time, the game will be called and the team associated with the person will forfeit the game.