NDHL PLAYOFF RULES & REGULATIONS
PLAYOFF PARTICIPANTS

• The participants will be those teams in good standing with the Nipissing District Hockey League (NDHL).
• Teams participating in the NDHL cannot participate in tournaments that conflicts with league playoffs.
• If a team avoids their playoff commitment for any reason, the association and team will still be responsible for their share of the total cost of the playoffs and further sanctions may be imposed by the NDHL.
• This event is our league playoffs; therefore, NOHA tournament regulations do not apply.

TOURNAMENT HOSTS

• Any association wishing to host a League playoff may do so on an annual basis by making an application at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the NDHL.
• All playoff hosts must submit a schedule to the NDHL schedulers and the Commissioner 5 days prior to the start of the playoffs.
• The schedules must be distributed to all participating teams 3 days prior to the start of their first game.
• Included, for your convenience, is the format for the medal presentation for NDHL playoffs.

SCHEDULING GAMES

• When teams or players are required to play three (3) tournament games in one day, there shall be a minimum of two (2) hours between the finish of one game and the start of the next game.
• Games cannot be scheduled to begin prior to 8:00 a.m., without prior approval from the NDHL board.
• The last U9 game must be scheduled to finish by 8:00 p.m.
• The last U11 game must be scheduled to finish by 8:30 p.m.
• The last U13 game must be scheduled to finish by 9:00 p.m.
• The last U15 and U18 game must be scheduled to finish by 10:00 p.m.
• Schedulers must consider travelling distance when establishing schedule.
• The higher seeded team, based on regular season final standings, is always designated as the home team.

 
GAME FORMAT

• • NDHL divisional playoffs and superweek(end) championships will be played under OHF, NOHA, and NDHL rules, except as provided elsewhere in the following.   

  • In a divisional round robin series, teams will receive two (2) points for a win, and one (1) point for a tie.  

  • There will be no overtime in divisional playoffs, nor superweek(end) championship round robin series games.  

  • If a  playoff game is cancelled per NDHL By-Law 6-1.05 – “Game(s) Cancelled Due to Unforeseen Circumstances” and per NDHL By-Law 6-1.03 – “Rescheduling of Playoff Game(s) cannot be rescheduled, the game score will be recorded as “not played". 

  • If a team refuses to play, or arbitrarily foregoes playing a game(s), the respective MHA that the team plays under may be subject to a fine per NDHL By-Law 1-1.05 – “Penalties”.  

  • If any player or team official is ordered to the dressing room for the balance of a game, they may be subject to further disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the NDHL. 

   House League (HL):  

  • U9 Tier 1 and U11 Rep games will consist of three periods of 10 minutes stop time. 

  Representative (Rep) League: 

  • All U13 Rep, U15 Rep, and U18 Rep games will consist of three (3) periods of 14 minutes stop time. 

  • U15, U18 Rep games played on weeknights should have a flood between the second and the third period. However, the referee may elect to skip this flood if the game is “running behind”. 

  • Rep games played on Saturday and Sunday will have a flood after each game, with the exception of the U15, U18 Rep, which will also flood after the second period. However, the referee may elect to skip this flood if the game is “running behind”. 

 
PLAYOFF TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE

• If only two teams are tied, at the end of the round robin series, then:

a. The winner of the game between the two teams will take the higher standing.
b. If two teams are still tied, the team with the most wins will take the higher standing
c. If the teams are still tied, the team with the fewest goals allowed will take the higher standing.
d. If the teams are still tied, the NOHA tie breaking formula will be used.
e. If the teams are still tied, a coin toss will determine the higher position

• If three or more teams are tied, at the end of the round robin series, then:

f. The team with the most wins will take the higher standing, and then if necessary go to (k).
g. If all the teams are still tied, then the team with the fewest goals allowed will take the higher standing, then if necessary go to (k).
h. If all the teams are still tied, then the NOHA tie breaking formula will be used, then if necessary go to step (k).
i. If all the teams are still tied, then the team with the most goals scored will be used, then if necessary go to step (k).
j. If all the teams are still tied, a coin toss will determine the higher position, then if necessary go to step (e).
k. As soon as the “Three or more teams tie breaker” results in teams separated into two way ties then go to step (a) of the “Two way tie breaker”, and, if necessary, proceed through the two team tie breaking procedure.
Example #1:

• Team 1 has a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, 4 points, GF 16, GA 5
• Team 2 has a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, 4 points, GF 8, GA 2
• Team 3 has a record of 1 win, 2 ties, 4 points, GF 12, GA 6
• Team 4 has a record of 1 win, 2 ties, 4 points, GF 11, GA 6
• Team 1 and team 2 did not play each other.
• Team 3 tied Team 4 in round robin play.

Three or more tie breaker rule results:

• Team 1 & 2 are tied for first place – they had more wins than Team 3 & Team 4.
• Team 3 & 4 are tied for third place.

Now, you would go to the “two way tie breaker” to determine first, second, third, & fourth place.
Two team tie breaker rule results:

• Team 2 would finish in first place – Since Team 1 and 2 did not play each other in the round robin, the tie is broken by goals against (Team 2 allowed fewer goals against than Team 1).
• Team 1 would finish in second place (they had more wins than Team 3 and Team 4).
• Team 3 would finish in third place – in the head to head game Team 3 and Team 4 finished in a tie; both teams allowed 6 goals against, however, Team 3 had the better goals for/goals against ratio – see NOHA Tie Breaking Rule Chart.
• Team 4 would finish in fourth place.

Example #2:

• Team 1, 2, & 3 are tied and they have the same record described in example #1.
• Team 1 & 2 have more wins than team 3 so they take the higher standing.
• Team 3 finishes in third place.
• Team 1 & 2 are still tied, therefore, proceed to two way tie breaker rule.
• This results in Team 2 finishing in first place (Team 1 and 2 did not play each other in the round robin; therefore, the tie is broken by goals against - team 2 allowed fewer goals against than team 1).
• Team 1 finishes in second place.

 
HOUSE LEAGUE SUPER SUNDAY WEEKEND                                                                               ROUND ROBIN, SEMI-FINAL and CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

• A two (2) hour lapse must be scheduled between the end of the semi-final games and the beginning of the championship games.
• On Super Sunday Weekend, the FOUR (4) Divisional winners will play a FOUR (4) TEAM ROUND ROBIN FORMAT, there will be no ties, teams will receive two (2) points for a win, zero (0) points for a loss .If a team cancels a game due to weather and it cannot be rescheduled or forfeits a game, neither team will receive points the score will be recorded 0-0.
• If after round robin play teams are tied, see PLAYOFF TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE
• FOUR (4) TEAM FORMAT
•   Teams will play a single round robin tournament format – this will require 6 round robin games.
•   Schedule:

1 vs 22 vs 33 vs 4
1 vs 32 vs 4
1 vs 4
  

#	DATE	TIME	HOME	VS	VISITORS
1			1	vs	3
2			2	vs	4
3			3	vs	4
4			1	vs	4
5			2	vs	3
6			1	vs	2

 

• The top two teams will play for Gold and Silver. The third and fourth place teams will play for Bronze.

 
OVERTIME RULES – ROUND ROBIN, SEMI-FINAL and CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ONLY

• At the end of regulation time, the teams will play a sudden victory overtime format.
• There will be no flood between the end of regulation play and the start of the overtime period.
• Any overtime period shall be considered part of the game and all un-expired penalties shall remain in force.
• Teams will not change ends during any of the overtime period(s).
• Time outs are not permitted in the overtime period.
• The teams will play one sudden-victory overtime period.
• The overtime period will be five (5) minutes, stop time.
• The teams will play with three (3) skaters plus a goaltender (a.k.a. 3-on-3). Substitutions are permitted.
• If the game is still tied, at the end of the overtime period, then the game will be decided by a shootout.

3-SHOT SHOOTOUT

• In the first round, each team will take three shots each.
• The teams will shoot at the same time.
• Each team must use 3 different players to take the shots.
• If at the end of the 3 shot shoot out, the teams are still tied, then the teams will take one shot each until a winner is decided.

1-SHOT SHOOTOUT

• The teams will shoot at the same time.
• Each team must use different players to take the shots. The teams cannot repeat shooters until they have used the entire line up.
• Rounds will continue until a winner is declared.

OVERTIME PENALTIES

• A team cannot play with less than three (3) skaters on the ice.
• Where a penalty, or penalties, would result in one team having less than three (3) skaters, the penalized team shall play with three (3) skaters and the other team shall add one (1) or two (2) players for the duration of the penalty.
• At the end of the penalty time, the player(s) would return to the ice until the first stoppage in play. Then, the number of players would return to the designated format.

For example, while playing 3-on-3 a penalty is assessed against Team A. Since Team A cannot play with less than 3 players on the ice, Team B will place an extra skater on the ice. During the penalty, the teams will play 4-on-3.

If the penalty ends while the play is still going on, the penalized player would return to the ice and the teams would continue to play 4-on-4 until a stoppage in play.

At the first stoppage in play, after the penalty has expired, the teams will return to the 3-on-3 play.

GAME OFFICIALS

• All associations shall appoint a person to be in charge of the officials for the NDHL Championships, preferably your association’s scheduler or Referee-In-Chief
• The system for officiating shall be set by the NOHA.
• Regular book rates (as per regulation) for all games.

MEDALS

• The NDHL will provide Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medallions for presentation at the conclusion of the Gold and Bronze medal games.

MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONY
The purpose of this is to have ALL Associations in the NDHL making playoff presentations consistently. It should be viewed as a minimum format and expanded on as the host Association feels fit.

• On completion of medal winning games the teams should shake hands at centre ice then line up at their respective blue lines for the presentation of the medals. Players can remove their helmets in preparation to receive their medal.
• When a microphone is available instructions to this affect can be given over the address system. This is the ideal condition.
• Medals should always be presented on the ice and if possible be presented by a member of the host Association’s executive. If a member from the opposing teams’ executive is present they could also be involved.
• A three member presentation team is suggested:

Announcer – read each player’s name over the microphone as they receive their medal. The score sheet will provide a list of player’s names.
Presenter – place medals around the neck of the player
Aide – hold the medals on a hanger or stick ready for presentation. Time keepers can often be used to hold medals or announce the names when necessary.

• Prior to the presentation of the bronze medal, the losing team should be recognized for their participation and effort during the season and in the playoffs.
•            
• In Gold Medal games, the silver medals should be presented first, followed by the presentation of the gold medals. If there is time pictures can be taken.
• Medals should be kept ready so that when it is definite that a winner will be determined, they are available for quick presentation on completion of the game.
• Referees should be made aware that the game is a championship game where medals will be awarded. They will also need to be informed if overtime will be called and if so, what format will be played. This should be done prior to the game.