Player Eligibility & Substitutions

• All players must be registered and waivered prior to entering the ice.
• Unauthorized substitutions will result in an automatic forfeit of that game.
• Teams are responsible for ensuring only four players are on the ice at any time.

Gameplay & Equipment

Opening Face-Off  

1. Games begin with a stick‑to‑stick face-off. Centers tap the ice once, then each other’s stick three times. On the third tap, the puck is live.

Required Equipment  

2. Helmets and hockey skates are mandatory. Additional protective gear is optional but strongly encouraged.

No Goalie Gear  

3. Goalie equipment and goalie sticks are not permitted.

Officials  

4. A single on/off‑ice pond official will manage scoring, timing, puck resets, and infractions.

Penalties & Infractions

Minor Penalties & Penalty Shots  

5. Officials may award a penalty shot for flagrant minor penalties or repeated reckless play.
   • Shot is taken from center ice within 30 seconds.
   • Any player on the non‑offending team may shoot.
   • The shooting team retains puck possession after the attempt, regardless of outcome.

Major Penalties  

6. Any infraction with potential to injure another participant results in immediate expulsion from the tournament. Major penalties are assessed by the Head Referee and/or Off‑Ice Official.

Abuse of Officials  

7. Shouting, profanity, or disputing calls is considered a major penalty.

Body Checking  

8. Body checking is strictly prohibited. Violations result in a minor penalty or, if severe, a major penalty.

Slapshots  

9. Slapshots are not allowed and will result in a minor penalty.

Falling to Block Shots  

10. Intentionally falling or lying down to defend the goal area results in a minor penalty.

Goaltending Rule  

11. Players may not “camp” or remain stationary in the crease to act as a goalie.
    • Defenders may deflect the puck while continuously moving through the crease.
    • The crease is defined as an imaginary box extending four feet from the outer corners of the goal.
    • This rule applies to offensive players as well.

High Sticks  

12. Contacting the puck with a stick above the waist results in loss of possession.

Saucer Passes  

13. Saucer passes below knee height are allowed.

Puck Out of Play  

14. If the puck leaves the playing area, the team that last touched it loses possession. Defenders must give two stick‑lengths of space on the restart.

Game Flow

No Offside or Icing  

15. Offside and icing rules do not apply.

Scoring  

16. Goals may be scored from anywhere on the rink.

Half‑Ice Reset  

17. After a goal or infraction, teams must give their opponents half the ice before play resumes.

Game Length  

18. Games consist of two 15‑minute halves with a 1‑minute halftime.
19. Ties & Overtime
    • Round‑robin ties award one point to each team.
    • Championship games use sudden death.
    • If tied at the horn, up to three minutes of overtime is played.
    • If still tied, a sudden‑death shootout begins.
    • Players rotate; no player may shoot twice until all teammates have taken a shot.

Running Time & Substitutions  

All games use running time.

Substitutions are allowed on the fly or while retrieving the puck.

Play does not stop after goals or penalties.

FAQ

Registration & Eligibility

• Do all players need to be registered and waivered? Yes — every player must be fully registered and waivered before entering the ice. No exceptions.
• Can we add or swap players after registration? Only approved roster changes are allowed. Unauthorized substitutions result in a forfeit of that game.
• Can a player skate on multiple teams? Only allowedit if divisions don’t conflict.
• What happens if a team signs up for the wrong division? Tournament directors may adjust placements to keep competition fair.

Divisions & Team Placement

• How do I know which division to choose? Check out our division criteria button on main Winter Classic page
• Can the tournament director move my team? Yes — placements may be adjusted to maintain fairness and competitive balance.

Rules & Gameplay

• Are goalies allowed? No — no goalie equipment, no goalie sticks, and no goaltending.
• How many games are guaranteed? Every team receives a minimum of four games.
• What is the format for overtime and championship games? Sudden death, then shootout if needed.
• Are slapshots allowed? No — slapshots result in a minor penalty.
• Can players fall or slide to block shots? No — intentionally going down to defend the goal is a minor penalty.
• What counts as goaltending? Remaining stationary in the crease area to act as a goalie.

Scheduling & Logistics

• Can we request specific game times? Schedule requests are limited — teams should plan accordingly.
• When does the tournament start? Puck drops at noon on Friday, February 5th.
• Where is the tournament held? Steinberg Skating Rink, Forest Park — newly remodeled and outdoors.
• Is there a halftime or breaks? Games are two 15‑minute halves with a 1‑minute halftime.

Venue & Experience

• Is this an outdoor event? Yes — true pond hockey outdoors at Steinberg.
• What should players expect off the ice? Raffles, entertainment, community camaraderie, and surprises.
• Is there food or beverage available? yes

Weather & Conditions

• What happens if weather is extreme? delay, adjust, postpone,
• Should players bring extra gear for outdoor conditions? Helmets and skates are required; additional gear is recommended.

Mission & Purpose

• Where does the money raised go? DAWG Nation supports hockey families facing hardship.
• How can teams help support the mission? Play fair, follow rules, choose the right division, and enjoy the event.