How are para ice hockey standings decided?
A · Advanced · Penalties and eligibility · 3 of 3A regulation win is worth 3 points. A game tied after regulation gives each team 1 point, and the team that wins in overtime or the shootout gets 1 more. Ties are split by the game between the teams. A forfeit is recorded 0:5. The World Championships are split into A, B and C pools by ranking.
How it works
- Regulation win: 3 points.
- Overtime or shootout win: 2 points.
- Overtime or shootout loss: 1 point.
- Regulation loss: 0.
- Two teams level: head-to-head game.
- Three or more: mini table.
- Forfeit: 0:5.
- Pools: A top eight, B 9 to 14, C the rest.
The glossary has the three-point system, the tie-breaking, the forfeit, the World Championship pools, the Paralympic qualification and the three-official system.
Tricky cases
A team stops playing mid-game. Result?
A forfeit, and it loses two points.
How many officials run a game?
A referee and two linesmen.
Who reaches the Paralympics?
Top five A-Pool teams, the host and qualifiers.
What is a forfeit score?
0:5, unless the real score was worse for the offender.
Why the rule exists
Points for an overtime loss reward teams that hold out to the end of regulation.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Overtime win | 2 points | G 8.2 |
| Forfeit | 0:5 | G 8.5 |
| Pools | By ranking | G 14 |
From the rule book
World Para Ice Hockey, Regulations 2020/2021, sections 8, 13 and 14. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: WPIH Rules, Regulations and Classification Rules.