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BATTLE OF BUFFALO

  • Gender: Male
  • Dates: June 13-15, 2025
  • Age: U18-U8
  • Location: Buffalo, NY
  • Elite Division
  • Division
  • Male Event
  • Team-Entry
  • Takeover Series

Event Details

Compete against the Elite! The Battle of Buffalo is the premier summer hockey event in North America. The event has hosted numerous NHL, Major Jr., and College hockey players over the past decade. Compete against the most elite youth hockey players in North America. The event will include 18U - U8 teams offering Elite and AAA divisions.

Interested in playing, but don't have a team? Fill out our inquiry form HERE

Level: Elite and AAA Divisions
Games: Guaranteed 4-Games
Dates: June 13 - 15, 2025
Ages: U18 - 2017

U18 - 2007/2008 Birth year players ***No 2006's are allowed to be rostered or play***
U16 - 2009 Birth year players
U15 - 2010 Birth year players

* Multi-team discount (3 or more) - $150/team
* Canadian team discount - $200/team

Cost: U18-2016s $1975 | 2017s $1900
Register Now!

Contact

  • Name: Kevin Michelcavage
  • Email: kmichelcavage@playhockey.com
  • Phone: 313-588-0380

Inquire Today!

Standings and Stats

Hotels

This is a Stay To Play (STP) event.  All participating teams/individuals that live outside of an hour are considered travel participants and must follow the event STP policy unless otherwise approved by the event director.  Should a team/individual decide that they do not want to stay in our approved hotels there is an opt-out fee.

Click here to book your 2024 accommodation.

For information or questions regarding hotel bookings - please contact Team Travel Source at playhockey@teamtravelsource.com or 502-354-9103.

Arenas

  • Dwyer Ice Arena

    5795 Lewiston Rd 1 Monteagle Trail
    Lewiston, NY 14109
    Get Directions
  • Northtown Center

    1615 Amherst Manor Drive
    Williamsville, NY 14221
    Get Directions
  • Holiday Twin Rinks

    3465 Broadway
    Cheektowaga, NY 14227
    Get Directions
  • Leisure Rinks

    75 Weiss Ave
    West Seneca, NY 14224
    Get Directions
  • Harbor Center

    100 Washington St.
    Buffalo, NY 14203
    Get Directions
  • Hyde Park Ice Pavilion

    911 Robbins Dr
    Niagara Falls, NY 14301
    Get Directions

Rules


2025 Battle of Buffalo 

General Tournament Rules 

  • Length of Periods 
    • U18 - 2011 Boys - 3 x 15 min stop time periods
    • 2012 - 2015 Boys - 3 x 14 min stop time periods
    • 2016 - 2017 Boys - 3 x 13 min stop time periods  
  • Length of Penalties - 1:30 Minor Penalties, 4:00 Major Penalties, and 8:00 Misconducts. 
  • Warm Ups - 3 min for all levels. Teams are responsible for providing their own pucks. 
  • Body (Checking) contact will begin at the 2012 age group. 
  • Running time will be in effect at the start of or during the 3rd period, only when a team is winning by 5 goals. Stop time will resume once the score is within 2 goals. 
  • No time-outs will be permitted during the round-robin. Each team will receive one (60-second) timeout in the quarter-final, semi-final, and championship games. 
  • Home team will wear white/light colored jerseys. Away teams will wear black/dark-colored jerseys. It is the responsibility of the teams to coordinate team colors prior to the start of the game. 
  • The Battle of Buffalo enforces a “ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY” that requires a full tournament suspension for any coach, player, or spectator who gets removed from a game for verbal abuse of an official. There will be no discussion, appeal, or recourse for anyone removed from a game for verbal abuse.

Scoring Rules 

  • All divisions will be scored 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. 
  • Any forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score. Any forfeited games affecting another team's playoff status may be reviewed by the tournament director to determine which teams advance beyond preliminary round play. The use of ineligible players will disqualify a team from the tournament. 
  • All games played by a disqualified team will be forfeited. No money will be refunded. 
  • Scores will be posted with a goal differential no greater than 7. For example - a 10-1 game will be scored as 8 - 1. 

Tiebreaker Rules For Round Robin Play 

If 2 teams are tied in points, the following order applies to determine the ranking of teams. 

  • Head-to-Head Competition 
  • Most wins 
  • Goal Differential - Goals for minus goals against 
  • Scoring quotient - Goals for divided by total goals 
    • Example - Team Blue - 12 GF, 8 GA. 12 GF / 20 Total Goals = 0.6 Team Red - 10 GF, 8 GA. 10 GF / 18 Total Goals = 0.55 
      • Team Blue Advances 
  • Least goals against 
  • Coin Flip - Conducted by the tournament director and team officials.

If 3 or more teams are tied in points, the following order applies to determine the ranking of teams.

  • If at any point, a tiebreaker establishes a position for one or more teams, each team is placed in its applicable position. If two teams remain tied after this is done, these two tied teams shall be seeded by starting the process for two (2) tied teams tiebreaker above. 
  • Most Wins 
  • Goal Differential - Goals for minus goals against 
  • Scoring quotient - Goals for divided by total goals 
    • Example - Team Blue - 12 GF, 8 GA. 12 GF / 20 Total Goals = 0.6 Team Red - 10 GF, 8 GA. 10 GF / 18 Total Goals = 0.55 
      • Team Blue Advances 
  • Least goals against

*EXAMPLE: Team A, B, C, and D all are tied with 6 points. The first tiebreaker in this example would be #3 Best goal differential formula. Team A wins that, so then it resets to 3 teams tied with 6 points. Then, apply the best goal differential formula again, and Team B wins. Then, the last two teams would go to #2 if applicable, if not, then the process would proceed according to the tiebreakers #3 through #6. 

Overtime Procedures for Quarters, Semis, and Final Games 

In the event a Quarter, Semi or Final game should end in a tie, the tie will be broken in the following manner: 

  1. Overtime will be played during Quarter, Semi, and Final games only. 
  2. 5-minute sudden death (4 on 4) 
  3. 3-player shootout. 
  4. Sudden death shootout (both teams get to shoot each round). 
  5. For Shootouts, the home team has a choice of who shoots first. 1. After the first 3 players from each team shoot if teams are still tied you can repeat any shooter as many times as you would like. 

OFFICIALS 

  • A zero tolerance for verbal abuse is in effect and will be enforced for all team officials, players, and spectators. 
  • Appropriate penalties will be assessed for disputing or arguing a decision of the officials, any visual demonstration of dissatisfaction, or for the use of obscene or vulgar language to anyone at any time during the tournament. 
  • The tournament director reserves the right to be the final decision maker for rulings outside of the officials.

FAQ

How does my son get invited to a Prime / Invite-only event?

Participants for our Prime teams (tours & tournaments) and other individual entry events are selected by our coaches and staff. In most cases, players are scouted in person and invited to participate in our programs.  We also use feedback from our Spring coaches to determine player invitations for the following Spring/Summer.  If you would like your child to be considered, please fill out the Inquiry form.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please refer to our cancellation policy here.

My child would love to attend a tournament, but doesn’t have a team. Can they still play?

For some events, we are able to accept “free agents'' and place an individual on a Participating Team’s roster. Please reach out to the Tournament Director for the event you’re interested in to see if there is an open spot! Their contact information can be found directly on the Tournament Details page. 

I’m not sure which event is right for me. Can I talk to someone to help recommend the right one?

Of course! Finding the right tournament is important and we’d love to help. Please fill out our contact form here and we will be in touch shortly!

Do you offer discounts for multiple teams?

We love to establish relationships with our customers and recognize those that continue to choose Play Hockey for their amateur hockey experiences. Please direct your inquiry to the relevant Tournament Director or Program Manager.

Do you have female programming?

Of course! We offer female only tournaments, female specific teams, and a number of co-ed tournaments with female divisions. Please fill out our contact form <here> and we will be in touch to walk you through our female programming!

What level of hockey are your tournaments?

Play Hockey offers tournaments across all levels, from Recreational / Open to Elite. Please contact us today and we can assist you with finding the right offering for your Player or Team.

Things To Do

  • Buffalo Sports

    Experience Western New Yorkers passion for sports at a Pro Game! Choose among the NFL’s Bills, NHL’s Sabres, NLL’s Bandits, Beauts women’s pro hockey, the Queen City Roller Girls and the AAA baseball Bisons.
    See More
  • The Buffalo Zoo

    Don't miss out on the country's 3rd oldest zoo established in 1875. They have many different animals, activities and tours to view the exotic animals.
    See More
  • Niagara Falls

    Visit North America's largest waterfall to see the wonders of the historic falls with local shops, dining and more!
    See More
  • Elmwood Village

    Visit the Elmwood Village for local eating & shopping. While you're there, you can also visit the Burchfield Penny Art Center, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
    See More

Brackets

Shop

Event Details

Compete against the Elite! The Battle of Buffalo is the premier summer hockey event in North America. The event has hosted numerous NHL, Major Jr., and College hockey players over the past decade. Compete against the most elite youth hockey players in North America. The event will include 18U - U8 teams offering Elite and AAA divisions.

Interested in playing, but don't have a team? Fill out our inquiry form HERE

Level: Elite and AAA Divisions
Games: Guaranteed 4-Games
Dates: June 13 - 15, 2025
Ages: U18 - 2017

U18 - 2007/2008 Birth year players ***No 2006's are allowed to be rostered or play***
U16 - 2009 Birth year players
U15 - 2010 Birth year players

* Multi-team discount (3 or more) - $150/team
* Canadian team discount - $200/team

Cost: U18-2016s $1975 | 2017s $1900
Register Now!

Contact

  • Name: Kevin Michelcavage
  • Email: kmichelcavage@playhockey.com
  • Phone: 313-588-0380

Inquire Today!

Standings and Stats

Hotels

This is a Stay To Play (STP) event.  All participating teams/individuals that live outside of an hour are considered travel participants and must follow the event STP policy unless otherwise approved by the event director.  Should a team/individual decide that they do not want to stay in our approved hotels there is an opt-out fee.

Click here to book your 2024 accommodation.

For information or questions regarding hotel bookings - please contact Team Travel Source at playhockey@teamtravelsource.com or 502-354-9103.

Arenas

  • Dwyer Ice Arena

    5795 Lewiston Rd 1 Monteagle Trail
    Lewiston, NY 14109
    Get Directions
  • Northtown Center

    1615 Amherst Manor Drive
    Williamsville, NY 14221
    Get Directions
  • Holiday Twin Rinks

    3465 Broadway
    Cheektowaga, NY 14227
    Get Directions
  • Leisure Rinks

    75 Weiss Ave
    West Seneca, NY 14224
    Get Directions
  • Harbor Center

    100 Washington St.
    Buffalo, NY 14203
    Get Directions
  • Hyde Park Ice Pavilion

    911 Robbins Dr
    Niagara Falls, NY 14301
    Get Directions

Rules


2025 Battle of Buffalo 

General Tournament Rules 

  • Length of Periods 
    • U18 - 2011 Boys - 3 x 15 min stop time periods
    • 2012 - 2015 Boys - 3 x 14 min stop time periods
    • 2016 - 2017 Boys - 3 x 13 min stop time periods  
  • Length of Penalties - 1:30 Minor Penalties, 4:00 Major Penalties, and 8:00 Misconducts. 
  • Warm Ups - 3 min for all levels. Teams are responsible for providing their own pucks. 
  • Body (Checking) contact will begin at the 2012 age group. 
  • Running time will be in effect at the start of or during the 3rd period, only when a team is winning by 5 goals. Stop time will resume once the score is within 2 goals. 
  • No time-outs will be permitted during the round-robin. Each team will receive one (60-second) timeout in the quarter-final, semi-final, and championship games. 
  • Home team will wear white/light colored jerseys. Away teams will wear black/dark-colored jerseys. It is the responsibility of the teams to coordinate team colors prior to the start of the game. 
  • The Battle of Buffalo enforces a “ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY” that requires a full tournament suspension for any coach, player, or spectator who gets removed from a game for verbal abuse of an official. There will be no discussion, appeal, or recourse for anyone removed from a game for verbal abuse.

Scoring Rules 

  • All divisions will be scored 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. 
  • Any forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score. Any forfeited games affecting another team's playoff status may be reviewed by the tournament director to determine which teams advance beyond preliminary round play. The use of ineligible players will disqualify a team from the tournament. 
  • All games played by a disqualified team will be forfeited. No money will be refunded. 
  • Scores will be posted with a goal differential no greater than 7. For example - a 10-1 game will be scored as 8 - 1. 

Tiebreaker Rules For Round Robin Play 

If 2 teams are tied in points, the following order applies to determine the ranking of teams. 

  • Head-to-Head Competition 
  • Most wins 
  • Goal Differential - Goals for minus goals against 
  • Scoring quotient - Goals for divided by total goals 
    • Example - Team Blue - 12 GF, 8 GA. 12 GF / 20 Total Goals = 0.6 Team Red - 10 GF, 8 GA. 10 GF / 18 Total Goals = 0.55 
      • Team Blue Advances 
  • Least goals against 
  • Coin Flip - Conducted by the tournament director and team officials.

If 3 or more teams are tied in points, the following order applies to determine the ranking of teams.

  • If at any point, a tiebreaker establishes a position for one or more teams, each team is placed in its applicable position. If two teams remain tied after this is done, these two tied teams shall be seeded by starting the process for two (2) tied teams tiebreaker above. 
  • Most Wins 
  • Goal Differential - Goals for minus goals against 
  • Scoring quotient - Goals for divided by total goals 
    • Example - Team Blue - 12 GF, 8 GA. 12 GF / 20 Total Goals = 0.6 Team Red - 10 GF, 8 GA. 10 GF / 18 Total Goals = 0.55 
      • Team Blue Advances 
  • Least goals against

*EXAMPLE: Team A, B, C, and D all are tied with 6 points. The first tiebreaker in this example would be #3 Best goal differential formula. Team A wins that, so then it resets to 3 teams tied with 6 points. Then, apply the best goal differential formula again, and Team B wins. Then, the last two teams would go to #2 if applicable, if not, then the process would proceed according to the tiebreakers #3 through #6. 

Overtime Procedures for Quarters, Semis, and Final Games 

In the event a Quarter, Semi or Final game should end in a tie, the tie will be broken in the following manner: 

  1. Overtime will be played during Quarter, Semi, and Final games only. 
  2. 5-minute sudden death (4 on 4) 
  3. 3-player shootout. 
  4. Sudden death shootout (both teams get to shoot each round). 
  5. For Shootouts, the home team has a choice of who shoots first. 1. After the first 3 players from each team shoot if teams are still tied you can repeat any shooter as many times as you would like. 

OFFICIALS 

  • A zero tolerance for verbal abuse is in effect and will be enforced for all team officials, players, and spectators. 
  • Appropriate penalties will be assessed for disputing or arguing a decision of the officials, any visual demonstration of dissatisfaction, or for the use of obscene or vulgar language to anyone at any time during the tournament. 
  • The tournament director reserves the right to be the final decision maker for rulings outside of the officials.

FAQ

HOW DOES MY SON GET INVITED TO A PRIME / INVITE-ONLY EVENT?

Participants for our Prime teams (tours & tournaments) and other individual entry events are selected by our coaches and staff. In most cases, players are scouted in person and invited to participate in our programs.  We also use feedback from our Spring coaches to determine player invitations for the following Spring/Summer.  If you would like your child to be considered, please fill out the Inquiry form.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Please refer to our cancellation policy here.

MY CHILD WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND A TOURNAMENT, BUT DOESN’T HAVE A TEAM. CAN THEY STILL PLAY?

For some events, we are able to accept “free agents'' and place an individual on a Participating Team’s roster. Please reach out to the Tournament Director for the event you’re interested in to see if there is an open spot! Their contact information can be found directly on the Tournament Details page. 

I’M NOT SURE WHICH EVENT IS RIGHT FOR ME. CAN I TALK TO SOMEONE TO HELP RECOMMEND THE RIGHT ONE?

Of course! Finding the right tournament is important and we’d love to help. Please fill out our contact form here and we will be in touch shortly!

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE TEAMS?

We love to establish relationships with our customers and recognize those that continue to choose Play Hockey for their amateur hockey experiences. Please direct your inquiry to the relevant Tournament Director or Program Manager.

DO YOU HAVE FEMALE PROGRAMMING?

Of course! We offer female only tournaments, female specific teams, and a number of co-ed tournaments with female divisions. Please fill out our contact form <here> and we will be in touch to walk you through our female programming!

WHAT LEVEL OF HOCKEY ARE YOUR TOURNAMENTS?

Play Hockey offers tournaments across all levels, from Recreational / Open to Elite. Please contact us today and we can assist you with finding the right offering for your Player or Team.

Things To Do

  • Buffalo Sports

    Experience Western New Yorkers passion for sports at a Pro Game! Choose among the NFL’s Bills, NHL’s Sabres, NLL’s Bandits, Beauts women’s pro hockey, the Queen City Roller Girls and the AAA baseball Bisons.
    See More
  • The Buffalo Zoo

    Don't miss out on the country's 3rd oldest zoo established in 1875. They have many different animals, activities and tours to view the exotic animals.
    See More
  • Niagara Falls

    Visit North America's largest waterfall to see the wonders of the historic falls with local shops, dining and more!
    See More
  • Elmwood Village

    Visit the Elmwood Village for local eating & shopping. While you're there, you can also visit the Burchfield Penny Art Center, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
    See More

Brackets