SoChel'94 - NHL'94 Tournament Rules

A Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Online NHL'94 Tournament to benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation, and run by the administrators of nhl94.com

Registration Information

To register - Registration Link

Entry Donation:

  • $19.94 to the Mario Lemieux Foundation

Dates and Times:

  • Saturday, May 30th 12pm EST - Registration closes
  • Saturday, June 6th - Opening 2 Rounds (Sega 2-6PM EST, SNES 6-10PM EST)
  • Saturday, June 13th - Remaining Rounds (Sega 2-6PM EST, SNES 6-10PM EST)

Note: Times will be accomodated for those competitiors who register outside of North America.

Prizes:

  • TBD

Tournament Format:

  • 64 entrants capped per console
  • Best of 3 series per round (win 2 games to advance)
    • Alternating Home and Away
  • Consolation Bracket
    • If you lose in the 1st round, you enter the Consolation Bracket!
  • Prizes are awarded for both winner and consolation brackets
  • Saturday, June 13th 6pm - 10pm EST - Super Nintendo Tournament Remaining Rounds

How to Play NHL'94 Online:

To play on your PC and online, you need:

  • RetroArch Emulator (the "console")
  • NHL'94 ROM (the "cartridge")
  • USB Controller/GamePad OR Keyboard
    • Suggested USB controllers if you need to purchase one:
      • Retrobit USB Sega Genesis controller
      • Tomee USB SNES Controller
      • Original controllers with a USB adapter from RetroUSB.com
  • Discord App - Used for communication between players and for assistance
  • High Speed Internet - Wired connection is REQUIRED

Please use the RetroArch package available for download from the front page of NHL94Online.com

This download package includes the emulator and the ROMs to be used in the tournament. For installation, follow the instructions on the Getting Started page - Link

Join our Discord channel here - Discord

Game Settings:

  • 5 Minute Periods
  • No Offsides, Penalties Off
  • No Line Changes
  • Manual Goalie Control

Tournament Game Rules:

A ‘referee’ will be designated to resolve any disputes not covered under these rules.
  • Team Selection:
    You will choose the team you will play with for the entire tournament during registration.
  • Home Ice Advantage:
    The team in the matchup which is the lower on the team tier list will have home ice advantage (Games 1 and 3) in the series. If two players have the same team, the player that registered first will have home advantage.
  • Changing Goalies:
    Goalies can be changed before the opening face-off and during play stoppages. You cannot change goalies during a face-off, or when a penalty shot is called.
  • Editing Lines:
    • You can edit lines before the game starts or during a stoppage (injury, intermission, or time out)
    • Home team gets last line change
    • Be considerate of time when editing your lineup
    • Allow time for your opponent to edit lines during intermission before pressing Start
  • Pulling the Goalie for an Extra Attacker:
    • You can pull the goalie any time after a whistle and before the puck is dropped
    • You can pull the goalie when the puck is in the NEUTRAL ZONE.
    • All other scenarios, you CANNOT pull the goalie.
    • Once your goalie is pulled you must leave him out of the net and can't put him back in until there is a stoppage of play.
  • Mercy Rule:
    At any point when a player is winning by a margin of 6 goals, the game is considered finished and the score should be recorded. There is no need to continue the game.
  • Disconnection/Crash/Malfunction:
    • If any of the above occurs during a live game, players should stop and restart with the last known score.
      • Players should do their best to determine, how much time was left and come to a mutually agreed start time.

        Example - The score is 3-1 in favor of Player A and the game malfunctions halfway through the 3rd period. The players should restart the game and mutually agree to play the right amount of time remaining. The following scenarios are then possible:

        • In the new game, Player B scores 1 goal in the remaining time and the score reads 1-0 for Player B. The final score is 3-2 Player A, so Player A wins.
        • In the new game, player B scores 3 goals in the remaining time and the score reads 3-0 for Player B. The final score is 4-3 for Player B, so Player B wins.
        • In the new game, player B scores 2 goals in the remaining time and the score reads 2-0 for player B. The score is tied 3-3, so the next period starts overtime. Next goal wins.
      • If a save state was made at some point near when the issue occurred, the game can restart from the saved state.

        Example: The score is 3-1 for Player A and the game malfunctions half-way through the 3rd period. One of the players had a saved state after the score was 3-1. The state can be reloaded by the host, and netplay restarted. The other player can reconnect, and play can then be resumed from the savestate.

      • The NHL94.com Admin Team will be available to "referee" as needed, and if there are any questions. If there is an issue, please post in the Discord, and we will respond promptly.
        • Darrell Sampson (Halifax)
        • Michael Capewell (smozoma)
        • John Glass (chaos)
        • Raphael Frydman (kingraph)

FAQs:

Can I register for both systems?
Yes, you can register for both tournaments.

Where can I find all the software needed to play?
All the software needed to play (emulator, ROMs) can be found on nhl94online.com. The link to the page can be found near the top of this page. Follow the Getting Started link to learn how to install it.

Is my registration fee transferrable?
No.

Can I play with different game settings?
No. Our tournament setting is for 5 min periods, no offsides, penalties off, no line changes and manual goalie. These settings create a simple, fast-paced game for tournaments. While the alternatives are fun, these settings allow us to run tournaments effectively.

Can I use a timeout?
Yes, but NOT during play. You can call a timeout during a stoppage (injury, goal, intermission). There’s only one time out in the game for each team and either player can use this time to change your line up.

Are glitch goals allowed?
Yes, all goals count. If it's in the game, it's in the game! Glitch goals are very rare, but some known glitches are:
  • Genesis
    • Shooting the puck at the net after the whistle when a penalty shot has been called will result in a goal
    • “Goalie lock” happens when you make an errant pass with the goalie and can be “locked” as the goalie until your team touches the puck again. (Your opponent is allowed to attempt to score on you, but cannot delay the game)
    • The puck lands on top of the net and then falls through the net as a goal
  • Super Nintendo
    • Your own player or goalie is behind the net and attempts to clear the puck, having it go through the back of the net for a goal
    • A penalty shot is awarded and the time expires - Occasionally it skips the penalty shot and you don’t get to take it
    • A penalty shot is awarded and the puck shoots like a lightning bolt and gets stuck in the boards and cannot be retrieved
Is there such a thing as a garbage goal or a cheap goal?
There are no garbage or cheap goals that are banned from gameplay. Goals can be stopped with great team defence or by using manual goalie to make the save.

Questions?
Contact sochel@nhl94.com for any questions regarding this tournament.