ALBERTA FEMALE HOCKEY LEAGUE
2016-2017 POLICIES & PROCEDURES
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
GAME SCHEDULE
The Elite Divisions of the “League” will operate a 26 game regular season schedule. Each Elite Division has been separate into two conferences based on geographical location; North and South. Each team will play their Conference opponents four times, two home and two away, resulting in 20 conference games. Additionally, the remaining six games will be out of conference play with each team playing each other once. Each team will host three out of conference and travel to play three out of conference opponents; teams will trade traveling to each other every other season to balance out the travel (i.e. Lloydminster travels to Okoktoks in 2016/2017, Okotoks will travel to Lloydminster in 2017/2018).
GAME DURATION
Officials
All Elite games need to be officiated by a three-man officiating team. Weather and travel related issues may occur that would prevent that, the “League” understands that such exceptions may occur.
Warmups
Teams will be allotted a five minute on ice warmup prior to the start of each game, the game commence following warmups.
Game Play
Each game will consist of three - twenty minute stop time periods. The ice will be cleaned prior to the start of every game and in between each period of play.
Overtime
Overtime will be played in any regular season game as required. All Leagues games must result in a winner. The following will be the format for REGULAR SEASON overtime:
1) Five-minute sudden-death overtime, 4 versus 4 players, plus goalies. If still tied: 2) 3 players versus 3 players SHOOT OUT conducted in PENALTY SHOT FORMAT. The first shooter will be determined by a coin toss called by the home team. The winner of the coin toss will select whether they shoot first or second. If still tied, the shoot out will continue until an advantage is determined. One opportunity per player, until all players have been used.
IF time does not permit a sudden death overtime period, teams may advance directly to the shootout.
POINT FORMAT
Points for wins and losses for the 2016/2017 Alberta Female Hockey League will be awarded on the following basis:
- 3 points for a regulation win
- 2 points for an overtime/shootout win
- 1 point for an overtime/shootout loss
TIEBREAKERS
1) Team with the greatest number of wins (overall record)
2) Head to Head Series (overall game record between the two teams during the season)
3) Conference Record; Record within the conference
4) Basic Goal Differential (GF-GA)
5) Total Goal Differential (GF-GA/GF)
6) Fewest cumulative penalties (misconducts count for 10 minutes and GM count for 20)
7) Most goals scored during the season (overall)
8) Most goals scored in conference during the season
The highest seed, according to the tie breaking formula, in the standings after the regular season will always gain home ice advantage, no exceptions. The same process will be used to determine the rest of the rankings with regards to tied teams. The highest seed will be considered the “home team”, jersey color and last change will apply.
JERSEY COLORS
The home team will be required to wear dark, while the visiting team will be required to wear light. In the event of a conflict or a third jersey, the team requesting the change must bring it forward to the opposing team and corresponding Division Director for approval.
PROVINCIAL FORMAT
The Game Procedures and standards of play will remain the same for the Provincial Tournament with the following exceptions:
a. Preliminary Playoff Games to qualify for Provincials will see the following Overtime used:
i. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time the teams will play one, ten minute 4 on 4 sudden deathovertime period
ii. If there is no score, a 3 versus 3 player shootout will be utilized. All players must go before a player can be reused in the shootout.
b. Provincial Tournament Games will be subject to Provincial Tournament Overtime Format
c. Gold Medal Game; in the case that the Gold Medal Championship Game being tied at the end of regulation, a fifteen-minute intermission followed twenty minute 5 on 5 sudden death overtime will occur. If the game is still tied, this format will continue until a winner is determined.
ELITE
The dates for the 2017 Provincial Tournament are March 16-19, 2017 for Bantam.
All twelve teams in both Elite Divisions will make the playoffs. The First round will consist of two tournaments; one with the six northern teams and one with the six southern teams. Rankings will be determined by their standings at the conclusion of the regular season. The first round would consist of the 1st place team and 2nd placed team getting a bye round. 3rd place will play 6th and 4th will play 5th, in a two game total points series. Once a winner is determined from those rounds, the winner of the 4/5 series will play the 1st place seed. The winner of the 3/6 round will play the 2nd place seed, same format; two game, total point series. The winner of the 1vs4/5 and the 2vs3/6 series will advance to the Final Provincial Weekend. The Provincial Tournament will include the top four teams from the playoffs and the host association for a Final Five Showdown.
The Final Five Showdown will consist of a round robin format, with each team playing three round robin games. Their standings at the end of the round robin will determine their rankings for the semi-finals. The 5th place team in the tournament will be eliminated after the round robin with the 1st place team playing the 4th place team, and the 2nd place team playing the 3rd. The winners of those two games will advance to the Championship Round, the losers to the bronze medal game.