Challenge Cup (ice Hockey)

Challenge Cup (ice Hockey)

The Challenge Cup International AAA Championship Showcase (colloquially known as the Challenge Cup or simply The Cup) is an international ice hockey tournament held annually in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia for ice hockey teams from around the world. Ages range from Novice Minor (age 9) to Midget Major (age 18) for both girls and boys and the tournament is traditionally held on the weekend of the Canadian holiday Victoria Day.

Within each age level, teams are divided into three divisions: A, B, and C. During the exhibition round and round-robin play, teams play games with opponents within their own division. Upon completion of round-robin play, teams enter the elimination round. Teams play compete within their own divisions and later play teams in other divisions. Teams with the most wins are considered tournament winners. Points are distributed in the following order: 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime win, 1 point for an overtime loss, and 0 points for a regulation loss. Ties are decided in this order: 1) Most points 2) Team with the greatest number of wins 3) Games against team with equal record 4) Penalty minute differential 5) Basic goal differential GF (Goals For) – GA (Goals Against) 6) Total goal differential GF-GA/GF 7) Team with fewest penalty minutes