Spring Spark Showdown

Presented by the Niagara Phoenix 

📍 Canal Rinks – St. Catharines, ON
📅 Saturday, May 24, 2025
💥 4-on-4 Ball Hockey | $400/Team
In support of the Niagara Phoenix Girls Program

About the Event

The Spring Spark Showdown is a brand new one-day tournament designed to bring the heat of peak spring ball hockey! With a high-energy 4-on-4 format and support for our Niagara Phoenix all-girls program, this event is all about fast games, fierce competition, and fueling the future of our sport!

Whether you’re a seasoned squad or just looking to spark up the rink with your crew, this is the event for you.

Tournament Format

• 4-on-4 format
• Two Divisions (max of 12 teams total across both divisions!)
  • Co-Ed Rec
  • Men’s Rec
  • rosters to be approved by ballhockey.com prior to event
• Roster Cap: 13 players/team (including goalie)
• Game Format:
  • Three 10-minute run-time periods
  • 45-minute game slots
  • Each team guaranteed 3 round-robin games
  • Single elimination playoff round
• Games will run from 8:00am to 6:00pm across both Canal Rinks.
• Prizing: team set of long-sleeve shirts for Co-ed & Men’s Rec Champions!

Game Format & Rules

The Spring Spark Showdown will operate under a modified 4-on-4 format, designed to keep the pace fast and the action constant. Here’s what players need to know:

✅ Format

• Games are 3 x 10-minute run-time periods
• 45-minute total time slot (includes warm-up + transitions)
• No stop-time unless otherwise stated (i.e., within final minute of close playoff games)

Clearing Rules

• After a goal, the scoring team must retreat past the blue line to allow the opposing team to break out.
• After a shot on net that is covered or frozen by the goalie (with a whistle), possession is awarded to the defending team and the attacking team must clear the offensive zone completely (blue line)
  • Teams can not pass back to their goalie to trigger a “clearing” of the opposing team – only after a goal or shot on net (with a whistle)

🚨 Faceoffs & Possession

• Games (and periods) will begin with a faceoff at center
• After goals or goalie freezes, possession restarts behind the net

❌ Penalties & Infractions

• All penalties result in a penalty shot for the opposing team.
• If a player receives three penalties in a game, they are ineligible to continue playing that game.

Registration Info (Registration Open Now!)

• Cost: $400+tax per team
• Includes: Guaranteed 3 games + playoff game
• Max of 12 teams across both divisions, so register quick and send roster ASAP for approval.
• How to Register:
  ➤ Log in at ballhockey.com/secure/home.php
  ➤ Select Spark Showdown 2025 form
  ➤ Pay deposit and email your roster to [email protected]

Deadline to register: May 18, 2025