LGNCAA NCAA Playoff Rulebook

S46 NCAA Notations
​

Section One: Playoff Scheduling Rules
1.1: Rosters

• Each team is required to enter each round with a complete 17 player roster.
• The deadline to have a complete 17 man roster for each round is 7 PM EST on the Sunday prior to game one of the series that is about to begin. If a team has a player removed MID SERIES, that team IS REQUIRED to call up a player within a 12 hour window from the time the removal is processed.
• Anyone listed on your roster after 8 PM EST will be required to be scheduled according to the scheduling restrictions posted below.
• If a player is removed mid-week, the replacement player can ONLY be scheduled based on the games remaining, and not played by the player removed.
  • Ex: If Player "A" plays game one, and quits the league, the replacement player can ONLY now play one more game prior to game seven.
• If a player is away or is suspended, that PLAYER MUST BE SCHEDULED FOR HIS OR HER GAME THEN REPLACED BY AN ECU FOR THAT GAME! THE ECU PLAYER DOES NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE SCHEDULED IN YOUR LINE UP. THE API WILL AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE YOUR LINE AFTER THE GAME IS COMPLETED.

1.2: NCAA Game Times Conference Times

• Sunday 8:00 PM — Game One
• Sunday 8:35 PM — Game Two
• Monday 8:35 PM — Game Three
• Monday 9:10 PM — Game Four
• Tuesday 8:00 PM — Game Five
• Tuesday 8:35 PM — Game Six
• Tuesday 9:10 PM — Game Seven

* All times are Eastern Time Zone, accounting for Daylight Savings Time when applicable.


1.3: Lines Deadlines

• The Away team MUST confirm their lines at times listed below to the scheduled game. If away team lines are not posted on time, it will result in a 1st Degree Violation.
• The Home team MUST post their line at times listed below . Failure to do so will result in a 1st Degree Violation.
• If the away team's lines ARE NOT posted prior to the Home Team's deadline for posting their lines, the home team does not need to post their line up until after the game.
• If the home team does NOT have their lines posted 30 minutes PRIOR to the game start (or not at all) , the away team is eligible to change their entire line up.
• The line deadlines have been modified slightly to preserve home-ice.
• To ensure the higher-seed team maintains the home ice advantage, the lines due for Game six for the away team (Higher-seeded team), has been modified to ensure their Game Five lineup does not have to be posted before their Game Six lineup.

Deadlines for lines to be posted

• Games 1-5
• Away Team - 3 Hours Before Scheduled Game Time
• Home Team - 1 Hour Before Scheduled Game Time

• Game 6
  • Away Team - 90 Minutes Before Scheduled Game Time
  • Home Team - 1 Hour Before Scheduled Game Time
• Game 7
  • Both Teams - Before Scheduled Game Time

1.4: Scheduling Restrictions

• Scheduled: A player is confirmed to play a game. A green name on the schedule tab for the game in question.
• Played: A player has physically played the game and will be listed in the game stats once the game is completed.
• NCAA Substitution: The action of replacing ONE NCAA roster player with another. By doing this form of substitution, the player who was ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED will need to be RESCHEDULED for a game based on the scheduling limitations (one game within the first four, two games if the series goes six).
• ECU: The action of using an affiliated player not on the 17-player roster to fill the position of a roster NCAA player who was not able to attend a scheduled game. When an ECU is used, the ORIGINAL NCAA PLAYER who was scheduled CANNOT play an additional game outside of the scheduling limitations. The game counts as a game for the ECU player, thereby counting towards the ECU limits as well as a game scheduled/played for the player who was replaced by the ECU.

1.4.1: Scheduling Restrictions

Player Scheduling Restrictions

• ALL players listed on the 17-player roster MUST be scheduled for one game within the first four games and two games if the series goes to six games.
• ALL players listed on the 17 man roster MUST be scheduled and/or played or be replaced by an ECU, for one game in the first four games, and two games if the series goes to game six. Failure to schedule a roster player AT ALL according to the scheduling process [one game in the first four, and the second game by or in-game six.] can result in games being overturned!
• EVEN IF THE PLAYER CANNOT MAKE A GAME THEY ARE STILL REQUIRED TO BE SCHEDULED!
• A player who does not show up and is replaced by an ECU, forfeits their eligibility to play/be scheduled for another game outside of the limits listed above - *one game in the first four, and a second game by game six*
• In-game seven anyone can be used.

Goalie Scheduling Restrictions

• Goalie scheduling limitations are the same as players. A Goalie is required to be scheduled/play one game in the first four and must be scheduled/play a second game if the series goes to a game six. In-game seven, any goalie can be used. A skater can only play their third game of a series in game seven.
• A goalie can only play their fifth game of a series in a Game Seven.

ECU Scheduling Restrictions

• Teams are NOT REQUIRED to schedule an ECU player in the official line-up via the website. The API system will AUTOMATICALLY adjust your lines AFTER the scheduled game. If a team decides to schedule an ECU player anyway, that ECU PLAYER SHOULD ONLY BE PUT INTO THE LINEUP AFTER THE DEADLINE IN WHICH YOUR LINES ARE DUE!
• The "public log” will be referenced by the BOG staff to try and verify which player(s) are scheduled for which game(s) by the deadline and which player the ECU is replacing.
• The "public log” will be referenced by the BOG staff to try and verify which player(s) are scheduled for which game(s) by the deadline and which player the ECU is replacing.

Substitution Restrictions

• Each team is ONLY allowed to make ONE NCAA substitution per game. *See details above as to what is considered a NCAA Substitution* All other substitutions AFTER A NCAA SUBSTITUTION IS USED have to be an ECU PLAYER FROM YOUR TRAINING CAMP.
• A player who is subbed out of a scheduled game and replaced by another roster player MUST BE SCHEDULED again within the limits above - *one game in the first four, and a second game by game six*
• The single substitution rule DOES NOT apply to game seven.

1.4.2: Scheduling Clarifications and Examples
If a player is replaced by an ECU, it DOES count as a game scheduled for the roster player who did not show up. (As well as two eligible games per series for the ECU player) Therefore your roster player is ineligible to play an additional game outside of the one in four, two in six rule listed above.

• Ex: MCDONALD is scheduled for game 2, he no shows, and is ECU'd. Therefore McDonald is ONLY eligible to play / be scheduled for one more game if the series goes six games. The game played by the ECU player, also means that player can ONLY ECU one more time for the duration of the series.

If a player is replaced by a NCAA Substitution, the game counts as a game SCHEDULED/PLAYED for the player who is the REPLACEMENT. Therefore the ORIGINAL PLAYER will need to be rescheduled.

• Ex : MCDONALD is scheduled for Game 2, and he no shows. He then is replaced by a roster player; Jordan NHL. Therefore game two counts as a game played / scheduled for Jordan NHL. MCDONALD will still need to be scheduled for his game before the series hits four games.

1.4.4: ECU Restrictions For The Playoffs

ECU limits for the CHL are as follows:

• Only players listed on your Training Camp can be used as an ECU
• Training Camp players who are listed as called up to the NHL, AHL, ECHL, or CHL are ineligible to be used as an ECU in the NCAA.
• Training Camp players are eligible to ECU for a MAXIMUM of TWICE in a series for a MAXIMUM of SIX times for the duration of the playoffs.
• Players who give correct eligibility are not able to be ECU’d aka “benched” in favor of a training camp player. ECUs are ONLY for when players do not show up for their normal scheduled game or players who are currently suspended.
• ECUs are INELIGIBLE to play in Game 7s.
• Goalies will be made as an exception.
• If a player disconnects in a Game 7, another roster player will be MANDATORY for replacement.

1.4.5: Ineligible Player Scheduled - Ineligible Player Played
There are a few situations that occurred during past playoff events that have led to games being overturned and or suspensions being issued. Please review these situations and avoid them at ALL COST!

• No player listed (missing/open) at the lines deadline = late lines = 1st degree violation
• Ineligible player listed (i.e. ECU from TC roster) at the lines deadline = ineligible player = Management suspension*
• Ineligible player listed at the lines deadline, later replaced/corrected to an eligible roster player after the lines deadline = lines violation = 1st degree violation
• If a player is “benched” and ECU’d, this would be deemed as an ineligible player
• IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE VIOLATED #2 LISTED ABOVE YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING A GAME OVERTURNED. WHEN SCHEDULE AN ECU IN YOUR LINE UP BEFORE THE LINES DEADLINE YOU ARE VIOLATING THE SCHEDULING RESTRICTIONS THAT STATE EVERY ROSTER PLAYER NEEDS TO BE SCHEDULED - PLAY ONE GAME IN THE FIRST FOUR GAMES AND TWO GAMES IN THE SERIES GOES TO A GAME SIX. EVEN IF YOU KNOW YOUR PLAYER CANNOT MAKE THE GAME AND OR IS ON IR (BUT NOT REPLACED BY A TEMPORARY CALL UP) YOU HAVE TO SCHEDULE YOUR ROSTER PLAYER FOR THE GAME. ONCE THE LINE'S DEADLINE HAS PAST YOU WILL THEN BE ELIGIBLE TO SUB YOUR ROSTER PLAYER OUT AND SUB IN YOUR ECU. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE STATS SYSTEM(API) WILL AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE YOUR LINE UP IF YOU USE AN ECU. THIS MEANS THERE IS NEVER A SITUATION WHERE YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE AN ECU PLAYER!

1.5: Illegal Substitution
Since the rules state that everyone NEEDS to be scheduled for one game in the first four games and two if it goes six, in the situation where a player(s) first game in the first four is in fact GAME FOUR, he CAN NOT be replaced by an CHL Substitution!! The reasoning being is game four will not count as a game played by the original player, therefore breaking the scheduling restriction rules. The best practice is if a player can not attend a game, use an ECU.

An ineligible substitution will result in games being overturned due to the fact the game in question was affected by the player who is ineligible.

1.6: Forfeits & Game Night Setup Procedures
Regular Season disconnection procedures do apply.

1.7: Reschedules
Reschedules are an option but only in cases where there is an Xbox issue, EA issues, or PSN issues. This is to be determined by League Staff.

1.8: Ineligible Player
Managers and Players have a responsibility to ensure they are NOT playing a game when they are NOT eligible to play!

An ineligible player is described as, but is not limited to:

• Playing out of position
  • This does not apply to forwards playing another forward position they are not listed as.
  • This does not apply to defenders who are playing the opposite side they are not listed as.
• Playing while being suspended or banned.
• Illegal Substitutions
  • Subbing a player out of a forfeit after official game time
  • Making more than one roster sub in a single game during the playoffs
• A player that is not on the team roster/organization.
• A player that has exceeded the max game limit.
• A player that does not meet the playing eligibility requirements for a specific league based on his/her player status.
• A player that has not been scheduled and/or plays outside of the playoff limits [one-game by Game Four, two-games by Game Six].
  • There is no situation where a skater can play Games Five and Six or more than three games before Game Seven.
• Failure to play games according to the playoff scheduling limit.
• Playing on a second tag or user account.
  • Automatic series overturn/forfeit if found guilty.
• Playing on an account that is not their own - account recovery.
  • Automatic series overturn/forfeit if found guilty.
• An ECU player playing for a "benched" roster player.

Punishment for non-compliance:

• In situations where the ineligible player had an influence on a game outcome and the team with the ineligible player won, the game will be overturned to a 1-0 forfeit loss. All stats will be removed from the game.
• If the team with an ineligible player loses in overtime, the game will be changed to a regulation loss and all of the players on the team with the ineligible player will be removed from the stats.
• If the ineligible player had no influence on a game's outcome, game results will not be affected, but the team's manager will receive a one-game suspension, for each game whereby the ineligible player was used.

Section Two: Additional Playoff Violation Rules - Playoff Rules In Regards to Article Four: The Rule Book

2.1: Punishment Violations
Complaints will NOT be filed by League staff unless otherwise directed to do so by the Commissioner.

All complaints will be reviewed and ruled on, on a nightly basis during the playoffs.

Violation punishments that are issued the same as the season and are rated as a "degree" rather than a "strike."

First- and second-degree violations are considered "team punishments". Therefore these punishments will be assigned to a game in which they need to be served, not a player.

• Ex: MIN has late lines for Game three. After reviewing the complaint, MIN will need to take a minor penalty to start game four.

Third-degree violations issued to specific members involved in the violation.

2.2: First-Degree Violations

The team receiving the violation MUST take a penalty off the opening face-off, resulting in a 5-on-4 powerplay for the other team at the start of the next scheduled game.

The League recommends having a skater take a delay-of-game penalty by dumping the puck over the boards in their own defensive zone.

• Examples of first-degree violations:Late/no lines (first time in a series) *
• Late/no stats (first time in a series) *
• Late/no pictures of stats (first time in a series) *
• * Each violation listed above will only be classified as a first-degree violation once per series. Any additional violations listed above (per series) will result in a second-degree violation. *

2.3: Second-Degree Violations

The team receiving the violation MUST take a set of BACK-to-BACK penalties off the opening face-off, resulting in a 5-on-3 powerplay for the other team at the start of the next scheduled game.

The League recommends having two skaters take a delay-of-game penalty (each) by dumping the puck over the boards in their own defensive zone.

Examples of second-degree violations:

• Playing an ineligible player in a win by the team committing the violation (the game is overturned)
• Late/no lines (second time in a series)
• Late/no stats (second time in a series)
• Late/no pictures of stats (second time in a series)

2.4: Third-Degree Violations

A player or manager receiving a third-degree violation will lose his game eligibility. Since a player can be scheduled for a MAX three games a series (two in the first six, and then game 7), depending on how many games a player has played will determine what game they are not eligible for.

In order to serve a game suspension, the team MUST schedule the player receiving the three degree violation, and then ECU that player for it to count as a game served.

These suspensions carry series to series and season to season.

Examples of third-degree violations:

• Playing an ineligible player in a loss by the team committing the violation.
• Late/no lines three or more times in a series.
• Late/no stats three or more times in a series.
• Late/no pictures of stats three or more times in a series.
• Failure to serve a first or second-degree violation punishment (the original punishment also needs to be served in the team’s next game).

The League reserves the right to lengthen the suspension in situations not outlined above. The punishments will reflect past practices of this season. This includes, but is not limited to second tag issues.

Any in game violations will be the same punishment as during the season.