- All Teams are guaranteed 4 games throughout the weekend.
- Match ups: we will do our best to accommodate match ups vs teams that did not meet in Regular Season play.
Game Play Overview
• Game format will be referred as 'two-team' game play.
• This will be based on each U8 team being divided into two balanced units and each unit playing one another on two halves of the ice.
• Each team is required to dress two goaltenders, one for each half.
Rosters should consist of 18 players (16 Skaters and two goaltenders) divided into two units of 9 players. In the case of fewer numbers, there will be allowance for players to double-shift to ensure that there is always 4 players on the ice.
Rules for Half-Ice Game Play
Playing Rules
• 4 vs 4 format – plus each team with a goaltender
• Each team is required to have two goaltenders, one for each half of the ice
• Three minute warm up
Rink Set-up:
• One set of barriers or two sets of barriers with a space in between for spare players
• May be foam rink dividers or board system
Net Size:
• Mandatory Small Nets (3’ x 4’) nets are placed on edge of center circle and at both end zones in the normal position
Puck Size:
• Mandatory 6 oz. Black Puck
Game Length:
• Two 22.5-minute halves
• Shift lengths are 90 seconds in duration with an automatic buzzer or whistle sounding to indicate player change. The clock continues to run throughout the 22.5-minute half.
• Officials work to keep both games synchronized
• Players change on the fly
• If there are fewer than four players on the bench, the active player designated to stay out for the following shift must tag up at the bench prior to continuing play
Face Offs
• There will be two face-offs during the game: the first face-off will begin the game and the second face-off will begin the second half.
Shifts
• Player shifts are to be 90 seconds in length. A buzzer or whistle will sound to signal line changes.
• On the buzzer/whistle, 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 (see below) for the offending team.
Change of Possession
• When the goaltender freezes the puck –> the official blows the whistle to indicate the attacking team backs off and defending team gets possession.
• When the puck is shot out of play –> the offending team backs off and the official gives the nonoffending team a new puck.
Penalties
• Minor penalties are noted by the officials briefly raising their arm to indicate that 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-meter cushion)
• Should an infraction occur that would normally require a player to be ejected from the game (i.e. game misconduct, match penalty or gross misconduct), the player will be removed for the remainder of that game. Under these circumstances, teams shall not play short-handed and no game incident report is required.
To Review of the full U8 MD Hockey Resource guide, click HERE.