Subway AUS WomenÕs Hockey Championship kicks off today

(Halifax, NS) - After five months of on-ice battles, victories and defeats, it all comes down to one weekend for AUS women’s hockey teams. In four days, the 2012 AUS champion will be crowned.

The six teams competing for the 2012 title secured their place in the championship tournament earlier this month, however the regular season action has remained competitive as teams worked to improve their ranking in anticipation of this weekend’s contest. St. Francis Xavier, the 2011 defending champions, finished the regular season in first place, followed closely by Université de Moncton. Mount Allison finished third in the regular season, winning their last seven games in an outstanding performance down the final stretch. University of Prince Edward Island secured the fourth seed, followed by St. Thomas University in fifth, and the host Dalhousie Tigers in sixth.

Key players to watch include StFX forward Alex Normore who led the AUS this year in points (55) and assists (31) while teammate Janelle Parent led in goals (26). Robyn Nicholson of the Dalhousie Tigers leads the league in power play goals (8) and Kayla Blackmore of St. Thomas led the league in shots (123). X-Women netminder Kristy Garrow led AUS goalies (.938 save percentage) closely followed by UPEI goaltender Kristy Dobson (.924 save percentage) and Université de Moncton goalie Kathy Desjardins came first in shutouts (6). The annual AUS awards and all-stars will be announced on Friday following the breakfast banquet.

It has been one of the most competitive years to date in AUS women’s hockey as any game can go to any team on any given day and the championships promise to be no different. All games will take place at Dalhousie’s Memorial Arena and will be webcast online at www.ssncanada.ca. Start times are 3pm and 7pm daily Thursday through Saturday, with the championship game on Sunday, March 4 at 2pm. Schedule and score updates will be available following games on www.daltigers.ca.

Day passes will be available at the ticket gate for adults ($8), seniors 65+ ($7), students ($6), and children under 12 ($4). Tournament passes cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 65+, $15 for students and $10 for children under 12. Dalhousie students receive free admission with their student ID.

2012 Subway AUS Women's Hockey Championship Schedule:

Thursday, March 1
Game 1:  3:00 pm StFX (1st) vs. DAL (6th)
Game 2:  7:00 pm UdeM (2nd) vs. STU (5th)

Friday, March 2
Game 3:  3:00 pm UPEI (4th) vs. Loser of Game 1
Game 4:  7:00 pm MtA (3rd) vs. Loser of Game 2

Saturday, March 3
Game 5:  3:00 pm UPEI (4th) vs. Winner of Game 1
Game 6:  7:00 pm MtA (3rd) vs. Winner of Game 2

Sunday, March 4
Game 7:  2:00 pm Championship Game

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