Rules

Dirty Birds Code of Conduct

• Good sportspersonship is expected of all players.

• All players will be respectful and welcoming to all members of the tournament.

  • Officials

  • Opposing Players

  • Rink Staff

  • Volunteers

  • Spectators

• There will be no space for hate! This tournament is a safe space LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, Trans and gender expansive people. Any player or spectator found to be violating this expectation of behavior will be removed from the tournament. No questions asked.

• Healthy competition is welcomed. Playful banter between teams is appropriate, but aggressive and intimidating language and behaviors that make a team or player feel uneasy playing will be evaluated by the Dirty Birds Tournament Board. Offenders will be spoken to, and asked to adjust their behavior. If the behavior does not change, players or teams may be asked to leave the tournament.

• Outside alcohol is not allowed! Bringing in outside alcohol into the rink violates the rinks OLCC license. This puts the rink and our tournament at risk of future success. Any individual found to be bringing outside alcohol into the building will be spoken to by the Dirty Birds Tournament Board, and asked to remove the beverages. If they do not comply or repeat offend, they will be asked to leave the tournament.

  • While this is an adult tournament, and alcohol is allowed to be consumed, please remember to drink responsibly. We are guests of the rink and surrounding businesses. Overtly drunken and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

• Have fun!!! The goal of this tournament is to showcase the greatness of Women/Gender Expansive Peoples hockey. We look forward to playing with you all!!!

Game Format

• 16 minute running clock periods

  • 5 minute warm up

  • In the event of a 2 point differential within the last two minutes of the final period, the final two minutes will be played as stop clock.

  • 1 minute break in-between periods

• Teams will be awarded:

  • 2 points for a win

  • 1 point for a tie

    • Shootouts will only be utilized in final games

  • 0 points for a loss

• Teams will be ranked by points earned, and in the instance of a tie, goal differential will be utilized.

• Penalties

  • Minor penalties will be 3 minutes running clock. Players may not return to the ice if their time ends during a whistle. Players must wait for a puck drop to return to the ice. If the penalty ends while the game is in motion, a player may enter the ice when their time is up.

  • Only captains are to discuss penalty calls with the officials. Offending players will skate directly to the penalty box.

  • Players that receive more than 3 minors in a game consistently, will be evaluated for safe play by the Dirty Birds Tournament Board. If penalties are found to be aggressive and purposeful upon review, they will be removed from the tournament.

  • Players that receive 2 or more major penalties will be removed from the tournament.

  • Fighting will not be tolerated. Any player that initiates a fight will be removed from the tournament.

• Jailbreak: if a team scores a short-handed goal while down a player due to penalty, all players serving minor penalties are immediately released from the penalty box. 

• Body contact is allowed when actively battling for the puck.

• Blueline icing will be utilized.

• Touch up offsides.

• Slap shots are allowed in all divisions, as long as the player can do so safely and hit the net. If a player is consistently taking slap shots that are unsafe, they will be spoken to by the Dirty Birds Tournament Board.

• All other rules of play will adhere to USA hockey rules and regulations and can be found here:

  • USAH Playing Rules