Crusader Cup

GIRLS (AA/A): 14U (2012/2011)

Note: All players must play at their age level or older - players may not play at a younger age level unless approved by the tournament director.

Note: All teams will play their opening game on Friday. The earliest game time will begin no earlier than 1:00 p.m. (CST)

All games will be played at the Willmar Civic Center (Blue Line Arena)

Location: The Willmar Civic Center and Blue Line Arena are located on the north side of Willmar, just off the Highway 71 bypass on Civic Center Drive.

Address: 2707 Arena Drive, Willmar, MN 56201

Note: Once a team is confirmed for the tournament there will be no refunds under any circumstance.

• 4-game guarantee - possible bonus game(s)
• 15 minute stop-time periods
• Team trophies for 1st - 3rd place teams
• Player awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams
• USA Hockey rules will be followed with exceptions
• USA Hockey, MSHSL and NCAA officials
• No gate fees! Free admission for all spectators

The first team (top) listed will be considered the HOME team and the second team (bottom) will be considered the AWAY team.

Note: All teams are expected to bring both a light (home) and a dark (away) jersey to the tournament. If your team does not have both, please notify the tournament organizers in advance so accommodations can be made.

Best Western Plus (Willmar, MN): //www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-willmar/best-western-plus-willmar/propertyCode.24139.html

Holiday Inn Express (Willmar, MN): https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/willmar/stcwm/hoteldetail

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson (Willmar, MN): https://shorturl.at/nvXsk

Little Crow Hotel & Conference, Trademark by Wyndham (Spicer, MN): https://shorturl.at/RgZpm

Hampton Inn (Spicer , MN): https://shorturl.at/yykux

What is the scoring and points format?

• Teams will be able to earn up to 2 points per game. Two (2) points for a game win, one (1) point for a game tie, zero (0) points for a game loss.
• If a team forfeits a game during pool-play they are required to forfeit all pool-play games in order to maintain equality in the standings.
• In no case will any team be credited with more than six (6) goal difference for statistical purposes.

What can be expected for game play and times?

• All levels will play three (3) 15 minute, stop time periods.
• A six-goal lead at any time in the game will result in running time until the lead falls to less than six goals. 
• The ice will be resurfaced before every game.
• There will be a two-minute break between periods.   
• Each team will be permitted one (1) 60 second time out per game.
• As games can run long or short, teams must be ready to play 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. Games may start earlier when time permits and when both teams are ready.

Is this a stay-and-play tournament?

• No, our tournament is not a stay-to-play event. Teams are free to choose lodging accommodations that best meet their teams needs and preferences.

Player/Coach/Spectator Conduct: Zero-Tolerance Policy

One Way Athletics holds a zero-tolerance policy, regarding abusive language and/or language considered to be a racial/gender/religious slur in nature, that is strictly enforced. Any player and/or coach reported to be in violation of this policy will automatically be removed from the game and will be suspended from participation until the matter has been investigated. The tournament reserves the right to review any racially/gendered/religious motivated incident for further disciplinary action, including disqualification from the tournament, and disqualification from future events.

Respect the referees: Zero-Tolerance Policy

• Coaches, players and spectators MUST never verbally abuse an official from the bench, on the ice or from the stands. Anyone that is identified as doing such will be removed from the arena without question. 
• Respect the officials that are working the games! Coaches coach, players play, parents cheer! Referees are humans, doing their best for the game and deserve respect. Let’s make youth hockey a place our kids will one day want to become an official! 

General Rules and Information

• All games are played under USA/Minnesota Hockey rules unless otherwise noted.
• Only USA Hockey, or MSHSL certified officials will be used.
• A medic/EMT will be present in every venue.  
• An official roster must be furnished 30 minutes before the start of the first game.
• Slapshots will be permitted at all levels. Tag-up offsides will be used at all levels.
• During a shorthanded situation, the shorthanded team will be allowed to ice the puck (original rule will be used).
• The tournament will assume no liability for personal injury to participants or spectators during the event.

Player Eligibility

• A maximum of 20 players may be rostered for any team.
• A team’s roster is frozen at the time the team starts their first game - no additions will be allowed.
• All players must play at their age level or older - players may not play at a younger age level unless approved by the tournament director.
• Teams that knowingly and/or intentionally play an ineligible aged player will receive an automatic 6-0 forfeit loss for all games.
• Any eligibility protest must occur before the start of the game and must come from the head coach to be valid.  
• Invalid protests will result in a 5-minute bench major for the challenging team. 
• A maximum of four coaches/managers are allowed on the bench per game. 

Tournament Format

• Competition format will consist of round-robin play followed by seeded bracket and/or place games.
• Teams listed first in parings will be considered the home team and will be asked to wear the light-colored jerseys when possible.
• Once a team is confirmed for the tournament there will be no refunds under any circumstance.

Scoring and Points Format

• Teams will be able to earn up to 2 points per game. Two (2) points for a game win, one (1) point for a game tie, zero (0) points for a game loss.
• If a team forfeits a game during pool-play they are required to forfeit all pool-play games in order to maintain equality in the standings.
• In no case will any team be credited with more than six (6) goal difference for statistical purposes.

Game Times

• All levels will play three (3) 15 minute, stop time periods.
• A six-goal lead at any time in the game will result in running time until the lead falls to less than six goals. 
• The ice will be resurfaced before every game.
• There will be a two-minute break between periods.   
• Each team will be permitted one (1) 60 second time out per game.
• As games can run long or short, teams must be ready to play 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. Games may start earlier when time permits and when both teams are ready.

Equipment

• The first team (top) listed will be considered the HOME team and the second team (bottom) will be considered the AWAY team. 
• All teams are expected to bring both a light (home) and a dark (away) jersey to the tournament. If your team does not have both, please notify the tournament organizers in advance so accommodations can be made.
• All players must adhere to USA hockey rules regarding equipment.
• Mouth guards are required for all participants.
• Neck guards are required for all participants.

Penalty Enforcement

• Minor = 2 minutes || Major = 5 minutes || Misconduct = 10 minutes
• Ejection = Player is removed from the current game only.
• Game Misconduct = Player will be removed from the remainder of the game and serve an additional one (1) game suspension. 
• Checking from behind will carry a minimum 5-minute major penalty plus a 10-minute misconduct.
• Fighting = Automatic tournament disqualification.
• Boarding penalties will carry a minimum 5-minute major penalty.
• Any penalty deemed serious with an intent to injure will result in a 5-minute major and a tournament disqualification.
• Any player receiving 3 penalties will be ejected from the remainder of the current game. A player from the offending team will be required to serve the third penalty. Any major penalty will count as two penalties.
• Any team receiving 10 or more penalties - the head coach will be removed from the game.
• All referee decisions are final. Protests will not be allowed.

Overtime and Tie-Breaking Procedures

• There will be no overtime in round robin pool play.

Tie breaking procedure for teams tied after round robin play:

1. Head-to-head competition.
2. Point differential (goals scored minus goals allowed).
3. Least goals allowed.
4. Most goals scored.
5. Least penalty minutes.
6. Coin toss.

Overtime and Shoot-Out Procedures (Seeded and/or Placement Games)

• There will be no overtime in round robin pool play
• Overtime in seeded and/or placement games will be considered an extension of the third period and will consist of one (1) five-minute sudden-death period using running time. Overtime will be played 4-on-4 with goalies.
• If the game remains tied at the conclusion of overtime, a five-player shoot-out will be used to determine a winner. Each team will select five different shooters.
• If the game remains tied after the initial shoot-out, a sudden-death shoot-out will be conducted. During the sudden-death shoot-out, no player may shoot a second time until all eligible players on that team have taken a shot.
• Any player serving a penalty at the expiration of regulation or overtime will be ineligible to participate in the shoot-out.