Playoff Format for U13, U15, & U18 Divisions  ---  top 8 teams--1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 & 4 vs 5

• Playoff dates:
  • All games completed by Thur Feb 17^th  
  • 1^st Round dates Feb 28^th to Mar 9^th
  • 2^nd Round dates Mar 10^th to Mar 20^th
  • Final Round dates Mar 21^th to Mar 31^th

Teams may begin the first round of playoffs during the NESD school break ONLY if both teams agree—no team shall be forced to play.  

1.  
   1. All playoff dates for a round shall be set no later than 48 hours after the commencing start date.  All games in the series must be set before the series may begin. (h & h or games 1,2 & 3)
   2. All game dates must be provided to the NEMHL President by the home team using the GameSheet game change format.  
   3. There will be no extensions to any playoff dates by any team.  Failure to comply with the above predetermined dates will result in forfeiture of the series by the team failing to comply.
   4. Regardless of a divisions playoff format; all series will adhere to the NEMHL dates as stated in the above Policy 8 b. and shall not be extended.
2.  
   7. The U13, U15 and U18 playoff series will be best of three (3) game series, with the highest seeded teams having home ice advantage.  The home team shall have games 1 & 3 while the opponent shall have game 2 in-between, unless mutually agreed upon by both teams.
   8. All U15 and U18 Final Round of Playoffs shall be a 4 man officiating system.
   9. Teams in all divisions may choose neutral referees for all rounds of playoffs; this must be determined prior to the start of each round of playoffs.  Any team requesting neutral officials must put in a request to their NEMHL Division Coordinator. The NEMHL Division Coordinator will make arrangements with the NEMHL RIC.  The team requesting the neutral officials are responsible for the cost of the officials and mileage for that round of playoffs.
   10. Should 2 teams mutually agree upon neutral referees for their series, they shall each be responsible for their home game cost of officials and the mileage.  Should a 3^rd game be required, both teams shall evenly split the cost of the officials and the mileage.
3. Should 2 teams mutually agree upon neutral referees for their series, they shall each be responsible for their home game cost of officials and the mileage.  Should a 3^rd game be required, both teams shall evenly split the cost of the officials and the mileage.       

Any player that gets assessed an intent to injure/match penalty will no longer be able to participate in any further NEMHL playoffs for the remaining of the season AND the team/association will be fined $500 and shall not be permitted to play until the fine has been paid to the NEMHL.  If this is the last game for the offending player/team; the fine still stands.  If the fine is not paid by April 1st, this fine shall become the responsibility of the home association where it’s membership within the NEMHL will be suspended until the fine is paid.