Event Format and Rules

The 2014 edition of the Alton Millpond Hockey Classic has several changes from previous years. The on-ice format for the event and rules are as follows:

Men's Millpond Cup Challenge and Women's Challenge Game Format:

1. On the men's side, two teams, the Alton Village Firefighters and The Caledon Notables will compete for the coveted Millpond Cup. On the women's side, Team Group Therapy will challenge another local women's team for 2014 bragging rights. 
2. The game is played four on four, with two twenty-five minute periods. Teams switch ends at the half.
   
3. Players are expected to help maintain the ice between halves.
4. Nets are pond hockey type nets, 6' wide and 12" high (see above)
   

Men's and Women's Team Rosters

1. Players shall reside or work in Ward One, Town of Caledon - exceptions granted only upon approval by organizing committee.
   
2. Each team will have a minimum of eight skaters. Unlike past years, there will be no goalies.
3. Players must be old and tired; no players under the age of 30 are permitted to grace the Millpond ice.
   

Rules:

1. GENERAL: pond hockey rules apply – no raised shots, no body checking, no goaltending, penalties are assessed.
2. Required equipment includes helmet and gloves; permitted equipment includes shin pads, jocks and elbow pads. Shoulder pads and hockey pants are not permitted. Full equipment is permitted for women and kids games.
   
3. The puck is allowed to be raised no more than 12" off the ice. Raising the puck a greater height will result in a loss of possession.
4. Contacting the puck with the stick above the waist will result in loss of possession.
5. Slap shots are not permitted. Stick blades must remain on the ice during play.
6. Penalties called will result in loss of possession of the puck and a goal will be awarded to the opposing team.
7. major penalties (including fighting or attempt to injure) will result in ejection from the game and a goal will be awarded to the opposing team. Abuse of officials or committee members, including yelling, swearing, or arguing of calls, will be considered a major penalty. If a player is ejected, the offending player's team will play shorthanded for the remainder of the game.
   
8. Players cannot fall or lay on the ice or place their stick on the ice in an effort to protect the goal area. Such action will result in a minor penalty.
9. If the puck goes out of bounds, the last team to touch it will lose possession. During restart, the defender must give his opponent 2 stick lengths of space. Players should not pursue or chase out of bounds pucks as the assigned official will have extra pucks and immediately spot a puck for play to continue.
   
10. There are no off-sides or icing calls.
11. Goals must be scored from the attacking side of centre ice.
12. Teams must give their opponents 1/2 ice after a goal is scored or an infraction takes place. The team that has been scored upon (or gains the puck through loss of possession) must move the puck over the 1/2 ice marker before the defending team can engage play within 15 seconds of a goal. Failing to do so will result in loss of possession.

Ultimately, the goal of the Alton Millpond Hockey Classic is to have fun amongst and between players, spectators, officials, organizers and sponsors. Please keep the spirit of the event in mind every time you lace up!


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