Niagara’s Beginner Hockey League Playoff Format - 2025/2026 Season 

Playoff competition is four weeks in total, with the first three weeks being the round robin structure followed by the fourth week being the championship night. Below you will find the playoff format and rules for those four weeks.  Weeks 1-3 game times are 6pm-9pm start times. Week 4 will be posted Februrary 23rd in the morning after results are complete.

Week 1 - Sunday, February 15th, 2026
Week 2 - Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Week 3 - Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
Week 4 (Finals) Sunday, March 1st, 2026. 

Playoff format for the 2025/2026 season;
There will be two groups, each playing in a round robin format. The team with the best record from each group will play for the championship. 

Group A will consist of the teams who finish #1, #3, #5, #7 in the regular season standings. 

Group B will consist of the teams who finish #2, #4, #6, #8 in the regular season standings. 

Point System: Win = 2 Points, Tie = 1 Point, Loss = 0 Points 

The Championship Game:
In the event of a tie after regulation time, a five-minute STOP TIME sudden death overtime period will begin. If the game is still tied after overtime, a shootout will commence. The order of players will be Girl, Guy, Girl, and repeated until there is a winning team. After the first three shooters have gone, the team with the most goals will be determined the winner. If Tied, it will continue with the rotation for a sudden death next goal wins format. **Each player must shoot once before a second turn is taken** 

Game Duration:
Two – 22 minute periods of regulation time. There will be stop time within the last TWO minutes in the second period if the game is within TWO goals. 

Goal Limit:
Each player will be maxed out at ONE goal per game for the playoffs. IE, If you score in the first period, you are unable to score a second goal throughout the game, including overtime. 

Line Changes: There will be NO line changes during the last One minute of the second period unless they are made while the play is still going, (Unless the time is stopped) If teams are dragging to get to the faceoff dot, a Delay of Game penalty could be assessed which will turn into a penalty shot. 

Penalties: If there is a penalty that occurs during the last TWO minutes of the game, a Penalty Shot will be awarded.

Tie Breaker: If two or more teams are tied after the 3 weeks of round robin, we will use the following tie breakers to determine the final standings. 

1. Points in the 3-game round robin format. 

2. Head to head matchup for the round robin. IE, if Team 1 beats team 3 in the round robin, team 1 moves on. 

3. Least goals against in the round robin. 

4. Most goals for in the round robin. 

Substitute Players:
NO substitute players will be allowed to play, no exceptions. If a goalie is required for a current injured goalie, they will be replaced by a chosen goalie from management. **You must have a minimum of 5 players dressed or you will forfeit the game**