Stratford Aces Festival Cup Challenge 2019
Novice Jamboree Guidelines
The Novice half-ice game play rules have been created to maximize player engagement by increasing the opportunities to interact with the puck and other players. A simplified version of the game allows younger players to focus on elements of the game they enjoy most. Our Stratford Aces Festival Cup Challenge Novice Jamboree will follow these rules / guidelines implemented by the OWHA
Playing Rules
- 4 vs 4 format
- Each team is required to have a goalie
- 3 minute warm up
- Black Puck will be utilized
- No centre-ice line, therefore no icing
- No blue-lines in play, therefore no offsides
- No score is kept
Rink Set-Up
- Barriers will be placed along the centre red line to divide the two ends
- Game length will be 44 minutes (2 - 22 minute periods)
- Shift lengths will be 60 seconds with an automatic buzzer to indicate players change
- The clock continues to run throughout the 22 minute half
- Main score clock will be utilized to keep time for both games simultaneously
- Home team will defend the ends of the rink
- Visiting teams will defend the centre-ice nets
- Teams will share the player benches with each team using the gate closest to the net they are defending
- Visiting team will switch ends and benches at end of first half
- Both games will be synchronized
- Officials work together to keep the games synchronized
- There will be two face-offs during the game;
- The first face-off will start the game
- The second face-off with start the second half
Shifts
- On the buzzer, players must relinquish control of the puck immediately and vacate the ice. The new players enter the ice immediately
- Failure to immediately relinquish control of the puck or new players entering the ice surface prematurely may result in a penalty for the offending team
- If there are fewer than four players on the bench, the active player designate to stay out for the following shift must tag up at the bench prior to continuing play
Change of Possession
- Goaltender freezes the puck- the official blows the whistle to indicate the attacking team backs off and defending team gets possession
- Puck shot out of play- the offending team backs off and the official gives the non-offending team a new puck
Penalties
- Minor penalties are noted with the official briefly raising their arm to indicate a penalty will be assessed. At the conclusion of the shift, the official notifies the coach of the infraction and the number of the offending player.
- If the offending team controls the puck after the infraction, the official blows the whistle and calls for a change of possession; the non-offending team is given room to play the puck (three-metre cushion)
- The offending player will sit out the next shift, but the team will play even strength
- Should an infraction occur that would normally require a player to be ejected from the game (game misconduct, match penalty or gross misconduct), the player will be removed from the remainder of that game. Even under these circumstances, teams will not play shorthanded. A major penalty report must be completed and sent to [email protected]