HHOF Nashville - Tournament Rules

June 11-14, 2026

Nashville, TN

GENERAL INFORMATION

• All games will be played in accordance with USA Hockey rules.
• Teams / Officials must be ready to start games up to 15 minutes early.
• Sunday championship games will be complete no later than 2:00 PM.
• 10 teams - Each team will play a 5 game round robin. After round robin, all teams will be seeded 1 - 8. The top 8 teams will advance to the quarter final round. Winning quarter final teams advance to the semi finals. Semi-final winners advance to the finals. 
  

TOURNAMENT RULES

• NO TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL has the right to change a score sheet or reverse a call from a referee. Once the game is over the score sheet is FINAL.
• No body checking will be permitted.
• Tag up offsides
• Icing allowed on the penalty kill
• Minor penalties - 1:30 minutes
• Major penalties - 4 minutes
• Game misconduct - Player will be ejected for the remainder of that game plus the team’s next scheduled game.
• Running time will be in effect 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 timeouts are permitted in preliminary rounds.
• One 60-second timeout is permitted in any play-in, quarters, semis and finals.
• Players and coaches should report to the arena at least one hour prior to each game.

SCORING

• All divisions will be scored 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for a shootout win, 1 point for a shootout loss, and 0 points for a regulation 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.
• Use of ineligible players will disqualify a team from the tournament.
  
  • All players MUST be listed on the first scoresheet. It is the RESPONSIBILITY of the coach/manager to check in with the tournament table to make sure their rosters are correct. 
• If a player is not listed on the first scoresheet they will not be able to play.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

GAME FORMAT

• 3-minute warm-up
• 15-15-15 minute periods 
• No overtime in round-robin play (Shootout Only - see below)
• If the game is tied at the end of regulation in preliminary rounds, a 3-player shootout will take place.
  

SHOOTOUT FORMAT

Home team will decide who will shoot first. Designated shooters for both teams will alternate shots. If the score remains tied after 3 rounds, new players will participate in a sudden-death shootout. The players in the first group of 3 may not shoot again until all other eligible players on their team have had a turn OR the opposing team has used all of their shooters. Players with time remaining on their penalty are not eligible for the shootout. Goalies are not eligible.

PLAY-IN, QUARTERS, SEMIS & FINAL

Please refer to Kreezee, tournament scoreboards or speak to a tournament official in order to determine the playoff format for each division. It is incumbent upon the team officials to confirm with a tournament representative whether or not their team has advanced beyond preliminary round play prior to leaving the arena following their final preliminary round game.

In the event a PLAY-IN, QUARTER or SEMI-FINAL game should end in a tie, the tie will be broken in the following manner:

1. Overtime will be played during play-in, quarter final or semi final.
2. 10-minute sudden-death (3-on-3) stopped time (switch ends).
3. If still tied: a 3-player shootout. (Same rules apply as in prelim shootout)
4. Sudden-death shootout (both teams get to shoot each round).
5. There is no OT in consolation games.

In the event a CHAMPIONSHIP or GOLD MEDAL GAME should end in a tie, the tie will be broken in the following manner:

1. Overtime will be played during all Championship and Gold Medal Games.
2. 10-minute sudden-death (3-on-3) stopped time (switch ends)
3. If the game remains tied after 10 minutes, teams will receive a 1 minute break
4. Another 10-minute sudden-death (3-on-3) stopped time period will take place
5. Teams will switch ends again

1. This format will continue until a winner is determined.
2. Teams will only get a time out if they didn’t use it previous in regulation or OT
3. No shootout will take place in a Championship or Gold Medal Game

TIEBREAKERS 

To determine teams advancing to the semi and final rounds. If more than 2 teams are tied, as soon as the tie is broken, the tie breaker is reapplied to any remaining ties (ex. If three teams are tied, the goal quotient is applied. Then, if applicable, revert back to head-to-head for the remaining two teams)

1. Total Team Points
2. Head-to-Head (two-team tiebreaker only)
3. Goal Quotient = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against)
4. Least Goals Allowed
5. Most Goals For
6. Fastest Goal in the tournament (Time on clock into first game)

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.