North American Pepsi Cup Tournament Rules

NORTH AMERICAN PEPSI CUP TOURNAMENT RULES, FORMAT & PROCEDURES
(UPDATED DECEMBER 1, 2011)

All tournament levels in the North American Pepsi Cup are played using the following tournament Rules and Procedures. The North American Pepsi Cup tournament is played in round robin format, with pool placers advancing into a championship bracket.

TOURNAMENT ROSTERS

All levels are based on Calendar Year Format. No Exceptions will be made to any tournament level. The boys High School and Girls High School require that players were enrolled in High School in the 2011-2012 School year.
Players date of birth must fall within the level of the tournament they are registered for, or be playing up a level (a 1999 birth year player playing in a 1998 division, etc.)
Players are only allowed to be rostered on 1 team per tournament level. Players can be on multiple rosters if playing in different age levels.
Rosters are finalized at team check-in. At that point, no additional players may be added to team roster.
Teams are not allowed to roster more than 20 players at tournament check-in.
Teams/Players caught violating Tournament Roster rules will result in player being disqualified for remainder of tournament. Teams may be required to forfeit any games played with ineligible player.
Coaches: A MAXIMUM of 4 team officials will receive tournament passes. A MAXIMUM of 4 Coaches are allowed on the Bench during each game.

TOURNAMENT GAME FORMAT

Games will begin as early as 10:00 am on the Opening Day of the tournament. Be prepared to play early if necessary. Scheduling Requests are taken, but can not always be accommodated.
All games will consist of 3 (three) 17-minute stop time periods. Ice reurfacing will be done every 2 periods per the rink schedule, unless under extreme circumstances. Some games will begin on "dirty" ice.
All teams are guaranteed 4 Games, with some teams receiving 5 games.
A win in pool play is worth 2 points, a tie is worth 1 point, and a loss is worth 0 points.
Running Time: If at any time in a game a 10 goal differential exists, the game clock will go to running time. If there is an 8 goal difference after 1 period or a 6 goal difference after 2 periods, the game clock will run and will continue to run until the lead has been cut to 4 goals.
Overtime Rule: In round robin play, NO OVERTIMES WILL BE PLAYED. A game that is tied at the end of regulation will remain a tie and each team will receive a point. During Championship Bracket play (Semi-Finals, 3rd Place, Championship), if overtime is necessary the following will take place.
- Following a 2-minute rest, a 5-minute 4-on-4 overtime will be played. If the score remains tied through this sudden death overtime, a 5-on-5 shootout will begin with the visiting team on the scoreboard shooting first. If the game remains tied after a 5-on-5 shootout, a sudden shootout with visiting team shooting first. Both teams must shoot per sudden death round. No shooter from a team can shoot twice until every eligible player has gone. Players serving penalties when the overtime expired are not allowed to shoot.
- In Non-Championship Bracket games on Sunday, the Shootout will begin IMMEDIATELY following the 3rd period, and overtime will not be played.
Jerseys: In tournament play, the 1st team listed on the schedule is considered the "HOME" team and should make every effort to wear a light colored jersey. The 2nd team listed will be considered the "AWAY" team and should wear a darker colored jersey. The tournament on-site tournament official will attempt to help resolve any tournament jersey issues if possible.
Game Time: Teams should be ready to play 20 minutes prior to scheduled game time.
- An on-ice warmup will be provided and will begin when the preceding game is finished. Teams not ready to take the ice when the buzzer sounds will not receive a pre-game warmup. Saturday & Sunday morning games will begin ON-TIME per the Schedule.
- 1 Timeout is is allowed per team per game.
- Game pucks will be provided by the tournament. Teams will be required to provide their own pucks for pre-game warmups. The Pepsi Cup tournament will not provide pucks for pre-game warmups.
Pool Play Tie-Breakers: The tie-breaker in pool play will be as follows:
- 3-Way Tie-Breaker: In the event of 3 teams being tied with the same number of points after pool play, the following rules will be imposed. The tie breaker rules will be followed to find the Highest seed and leave the 2 remaining teams tied. The tie-breaker rules will then start over from the first tie-breaker and follow tie-breaker rules to determine remaining seeding of the other 2 teams.

TOURNAMENT RULES AND PENALTIES

The North American Pepsi Cup is played using current rules from USA Hockey, and National Federation of High School Sports with modifications made by the North American Pepsi Cup Tournament Committee. Any rule may have more than one interpretation, however, the Tournament Staffs' interpretation is the ONLY ONE USED.

PROTESTS: The North American Pepsi Cup is a NON-PROTEST Tournament regarding Interpretations of Rules or On-Ice referees calls. The On-ice and Off-Ice Officials' decisions are FINAL. Any questions regarding an On-Ice infraction or situation will be directed to the North American Pepsi Cup Tournament Referee-In-Chief. Pepsi Cup Tournament Officials will not undermine the decision made by an on-ice official. Excessive complaining will not be tolerated.
- Player Eligibility Protest: If it is determined that a team/player has Violated a Tournament Roster Eligibility Rule, the player will be automatically disqualified from the remainder of the tournament and the violating team will forfeit the game under protest. The score of the game will be recorded as 1-0.
Tournament Rules
- The center red line will be used for icing calls only. Icings will be no-touch, and the 2-line pass is allowed.
- The tag-up or delayed offside rule will be used for ALL LEVELS.
- Mouthguards are required for all levels.
- Slapshots will be allowed in ALL BOYS AND GIRLS LEVELS.
- Checking will be allowed in the Boys 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995/94, and Boys High School Levels.
- Checking will not be allowed in the Boys 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 Levels, and ALL Girls Levels.
- Players are required to sit in the Penalty Box until it is near the time their penalty has expired. Players will be asked to sit, if players ignore the request to sit down, they may be subject to an additional penalty. Abuse of On-Ice and Off-Ice officials will not be Tolerated.
- The Use of Artificial Noise makers is NOT ALLOWED in any Facility. These may include Air Horns, Bells, Drums, etc.
Penalties
- Any player committing 5 penalties in 1 game will be ejected from the current game, and be suspended from the teams next game. Any 2 minute plus 10 minute penalty is considered 2 penalties.
- Checking from Behind will be enforced with a minimum 2-minute minor plus 10-minute misconduct. A 5-minute major penalty may be called under On-Ice Officials' discretion. In the event of a 5-minute major penalty, the player will be immediately ejected from the current game, and will be ineligible for the teams' next game.
- Coincidental minor penalties will result in both offending players sitting their penalties in the Penalty Box, but neither team will play shorthanded.
- Fighting: Fighting will not be tolerated in the North American Pepsi Cup, and can possibly result in a TOURNAMENT EJECTION! A fight is to the referee’s discretion, as it may consist of one punch or numerous punches. This is the exact way it is written in the referee manuals. No changes to the call will be made once it is entered into the scorebook. The on-ice official will determine the extent of the penalty, whether it is a game or tournament ejection. A guilty party will be allowed to voice their opinion, but the call WILL NOT CHANGE! The North American Pepsi Cup is set up to showcase hockey skills, not fighting!
  
  If you have any questions on any possible rules or interpretations, contact the North American Pepsi Cup Tournament Staff.