GSL Tie-Breaking Method

The GSL will use the Mass Hockey State Championship Tie-Breaking Method for determining the top two teams for each division to play in the Championship Game.

From Page 46 of the 2006-07 Mass Hockey Annual Guide

Section 7 I:
The standings will be determined on the basis of 2 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.

In the case of a tie, Division winners and Runners-up will be determined by the following tie-breaking formulas. In order to break the tie, the following formulas will be followed until one rule determines the position of all teams that are tied.

1. The results of the games played between the teams tied in the following order:

a) The points acquired in these games.

b) Subtracting goals scored against from goals scored in these games; the position being determined in order of the greatest surplus.

c) Dividing the goals scored in these games by the goals scored against, the position being determined in order of the greatest quotient. A quotient involving dividing by zero (0) has higher standing than a quotient dividing by any number other than zero. Where two or more teams have no goals against and the quotient tie breaker is required, the teams shall be ranked high to low in descending order of “goals for”.

Note: Forfeits – If a team forfeits any of its games, and becomes involved in any tie-breaking formula to determine its eligibility to advance to the next level of play, the team forfeits all games in the round robin play and the games are recorded as 1 – 0 victories for the non-offending team.

2. If after applying the formulas of 1 a, b, and c, the tie still exists, 1bg and 1c shall be applied using all games played by the teams tied. The formulas shall be in the order 1 a, b, c and 2.

3. If the above procedure does not break the tie, then their position will be determined by the number of penalty minutes assessed in all games they played. Their position being determined in order of the least penalty minutes.