Updated January 9, 2025

Game Play & Equipment Rules:

1. An HECC-approved helmet, an HECC-approved eye shield or full face cage, and properly attached chinstrap must be worn by ALL players during the Chicago Market Days Classic. No exceptions. Wearing standard protective gear such as shoulder pads and full face cage is recommended.

2. Slap shots are allowed in the tournament.

3. Players may play for one team only and must play at least 2 games to be eligible for the finals.

4. Blue line icing will be used.

5. Teams may replace a goaltender in the event of an injury or sickness only. All replacement goaltenders must be approved by the Pride Classic Committee.

6. Team rosters are capped at 15 players and 1 goalie.

Round Robin Games:

1. Warm-up will be for three minutes. Games will have three 12-minute periods (stop time) with one minute intermission. If a team is leading by more than five goals in the third period, the clock will continue to run.

2. Points are awarded after each period and at the end of the game. The team that scores the most goals in a period will win two points. One point is awarded to both teams if the goals scored in that period is tied.

3. Eight total points are awarded for each game. Two points are also awarded to the winner of the game. If the game ends in a tie, each team is awarded one point. There is no overtime in round-robin games

4. Should two teams be tied after the round robin, the ranking will be determined in the following priority:

   • Head to head

   • Number of wins

   • Least Goals against

   • +/- Differential

   • Most Goals for

Playoffs and Championship Games:

Gameplay will be conducted in two divisions: Competitive and Recreational. Scoring and championship win will be conducted as follows:

1. Games after the Round Robin are scored in the traditional manner (the team with the most goals at the end of the game wins).

2. The two teams in each division with the greatest number of tournament points will play in the Championship game

3. The two teams in each division with the 3rd and 4th greatest number of points will play for 3rd place overall

4. Ties in the championship games will be determined by a 5-minute 4-on-4 sudden death overtime period. Should the score remain tied after the extra period, a shootout will follow. Each team captain will designate three players to participate in the shootout; all three players on each team will shoot. If the teams are still tied at the end of three shooters, a sudden-death shoot out begins.
   
   NOTE: A player may not shoot a second time until all of his/her teammates have participated.

Penalty Rules:

1. Three Penalty Rule: Any player assessed three contact penalties in one game shall be ruled off the ice for the remainder of the game. Double minors count as two penalties.

2. Game Misconduct Penalty in the last 10 minutes of Game Rule: A game misconduct penalty only incurs automatic next game suspension if it occurs in the last ten minutes of game (regulation and overtime). In this case, the player will be suspended for the next tournament game.

3. Game Misconduct with a Major Penalty: A game misconduct assessed to a player for receiving a major penalty as a result of a rule infraction, other than the accidental high-stick rule, shall automatically incur a one game suspension. Depending on the severity of the infraction, the offender may be subject to further disciplinary action.

4. Abuse of Officials: A minor penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who challenges or disputes the ruling of an official during the game or who displays unsportsmanlike conduct. If the person persists, he shall be assessed a misconduct penalty and any further disputes will result in a game misconduct penalty. A referee is NOT required to assess a minor penalty under this rule before assessing a misconduct, or a game misconduct for the same reason, and may assess either penalty initially.

5. Boarding & Body Contact: A minor or major penalty, at the discretion of the referee, based on the intent and violence of the impact with the opposing player, shall be assessed to any player who intentionally bodies, pushes, shoves, stands in front of an opponent for the purpose of making contact and/or does not attempt to avert body contact with an opponent. When injury results from intentional body contact, a Major penalty shall be assessed. In the event that a player, by committing an infraction of the rules, causes an opponent to collide with the boards, the minor penalty normally assessed under the rules will be waived, and a double minor penalty will be assessed. The major and/or match penalty applicable to the rule will be assessed in a normal manner. Where, in the opinion of the referee, accidental contact has taken place, no penalty shall be assessed.

6. Fighting: Fighting will result in ejection from the tournament.

No Checking.