GELC Ice Breaker Tournament

Tourament Rules & Format

Tournament Rules & Format

The 2026 Tournament Chair is Brooklyn Porter, Ice Breaker Director, and is responsible for overseeing all tournament operations and ensuring compliance with Alberta Lacrosse Association regulations, including supervising registrations, enforcing rules of play, ensuring game structure, overtime and suspension guidelines (ALA Regulation 9) are posted, and confirming electronic game sheets are completed for all players and bench personnel; within 48 hours of the final game, the Chair must ensure submission of the Discipline Committee Report and Tournament Standings Report to the ALA office.

Game Play

The Ice Breaker Tournament follows all Alberta Lacrosse Association regulations. Where rules are not explicitly outlined below, participants are to refer to official ALA Regulations.

All games will be played in accordance with ALA regulations, including game length as outlined in ALA Regulation 9.02.

  • With 5 minutes or less remaining in the allotted floor time, at the next stoppage of play, the referee will instruct the timekeeper to set the game clock to 2 minutes remaining

Mercy Rule

  • If a 6-goal differential exists at any time, the game clock will run on straight time at the next whistle
  • If the score returns to within 4 goals, the clock will revert to stop time

Overtime Rules

As per (ALA Regulation 9.07):

  • No overtime will be played in round-robin (seeding) games

Medal / Playoff Games Only

If a game is tied at the end of regulation:

  • A single sudden victory overtime period will be played (length as per division/game format)
  • If still tied, the game will proceed to a shootout

Shootout Format

  • Teams alternate penalty shots
  • Home team chooses to shoot first or last
  • Shootout continues round-by-round until one team scores and the other does not
  • All eligible players must shoot before any player can shoot a second time (excluding goalies and ineligible players)

Team Eligibility & Requirements

All teams must comply with Alberta Lacrosse Association (ALA) regulations.

  • Rosters must be submitted and approved through the ALA Registration System
  • Player affiliations must follow ALA Regulation 5A
  • All players must be registered with the ALA; out-of-province players are not permitted on ALA teams
  • Overaged players are not permitted unless approved in writing by the ALA Executive
    • Teams using unapproved overaged players will be fined $750 per player

Bench Personnel Requirements

  • All coaches must meet Lacrosse Canada minimum certification standards for their age group (ALA Regulation 13.04)
  • All trainers must hold minimum certification as per ALA Regulation 13.05

Out-of-Province Teams

  • Must have a valid travel permit
  • Must be able to present permit upon request

Discipline Procedures

All infractions will be addressed during the tournament in accordance with Alberta Lacrosse Association regulations.

  • A Match Penalty – Abuse of an Official results in an automatic suspension pending review by the team’s Local Governing Body (LGB)
  • All major penalties will be reviewed by the Tournament Discipline Committee
  • The Discipline Committee will consist of the Tournament Chair, OIC, and at least one additional host committee member from the Raiders and/or Warriors.
  • Automatic suspensions will be applied as per ALA Regulation 12A

Suspensions

  • Players and/or bench personnel receiving suspensions will be dealt with as soon as reasonably possible following the game
  • The Discipline Committee may conduct interviews and will determine the length of suspension
  • Decisions will be communicated to the individual and team at the tournament by the Tournament Chair, or designated Committee Member
  • Teams must list any suspended individuals on the electronic game sheet

Reporting

  • All 5-minute major penalties and suspensions must be reported to the ALA within 48 hours
  • All Discipline Committee decisions must be reported to the ALA within 24 hours

Officials & Conduct

  • All officials must be currently certified through the Alberta Lacrosse Referees Association
  • Abuse of players, team staff, officials, or tournament personnel will not be tolerated and may result in removal or expulsion from the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Chair and/or Discipline Committee

Courtesy – Players, Coaches, Officials & Fans

Teams must ensure proper conduct and safety at all times:

  • Players may not enter the floor until the previous game has fully cleared
  • Helmets and facemasks (CSA approved) are required for any on-floor activity between games
  • Unruly spectators may be removed at the discretion of the OIC and Discipline Committee
  • Dressing rooms must be left clean and undamaged; teams may be charged or expelled for violations
  • Dressing rooms must be cleared prior to games; gear may be stored at the bench during play
 

Scoring System

All round-robin games will be awarded points as follows (maximum of 2 points per game):

  • Win: 2 points
  • Tie or Bye: 1 point
  • Loss: 0 points

Point standings will be used to determine final rankings and game placements.

Medal Round & Final Day Seeding

Following the completion of round-robin play:

  • The top 2 ranked teams will advance to the Gold Medal Game
  • All remaining teams will be ranked and scheduled into consolation games on Day 3
  • These games ensure that teams in even-numbered pools receive a 4th and final game

Tie-Breaking Procedure

In the event that two or more teams are tied in points following the completion of the three (3) designated seeding games, final standings will be determined as follows:

Two-Team Tie

  1. Head-to-head result (if applicable)
  2. Goal Average (GF ÷ (GF + GA)) using all seeding games
  3. Fewest Goals Against
  4. Goal Differential (GF – GA)
  5. Goals For
  6. Coin toss / random draw

Three or More Teams Tied

  1. Head-to-head results among tied teams (if all teams have played each other)
  2. Goal Average using only games between tied teams
  3. If still tied, Goal Average using all seeding games
  4. Fewest Goals Against (all seeding games)
  5. Goal Differential (GF – GA)
  6. Goals For
  7. Coin toss / random draw

Goal Average Formula = Goals For ÷ (Goals For + Goals Against)

U11F & U15F Only – 13-Team Format

Due to the 13-team structure, the tournament format has been adapted to ensure fairness and minimum game guarantees.

Format Overview

  • Each team will play three (3) designated seeding games
  • These are the only games that count toward standings and final rankings

In some cases, an additional game may be scheduled to balance the draw. This game will be considered a: Non-seeding / guarantee game (friendly)

Important – Non-Seeding Games

Any non-seeding game will not count toward:

  • Standings
  • Points
  • Goals For / Against
  • Goal Differential
  • Tie-breakers

Final Game Placement

  • The top 12 teams will advance to a 4th game on Day 3
  • The team ranked 13th overall will not advance

Protests:

All protests must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes of game completion and must include a $300 bond. If the protest is upheld, the bond will be refunded (following any required replay). If game end time is not recorded, the scheduled end time will be used.