The following is being distributed at the request of School Sport Newfoundland and Labrador: 

Provincial Girls Ice Hockey Tournaments to be Held This Weekend 

The second half of the provincial high school athletic season kicks off this weekend (Thursday, February 1 - Saturday, February 3) as Indian River High School in Springdale hosts the Girls High School Ice Hockey Championships. 

This School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador event will feature eight teams, from across the province, who have advanced through their playdowns to qualify for the provincials.  Competing in Division A will be Ascension Collegiate (Bay Roberts), Roncalli High (Port Saunders), Gonzaga High (St. John�s) and King Academy (Harbour Breton).  Playing in Division B will be J.M. Olds Collegiate (Twillingate), Stephenville High, Holy Heart of Mary High (St. John�s) and the host, Indian River High.  The tournament is set up in a two division round robin format with the top two teams from each division advancing to the cross-overs. 

The tournament gets underway 12 noon on Thursday.  A total of six games will be played Thursday.  The remaining six games will be played Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m.  A skills competition will take place at 5:30, following the final round robin game. 

The top two teams from round robin play will advance to the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. playoff games, Saturday morning.  The championship game is set for 2:00 p.m. 

In its continuing effort to emphasize sportsmanship, School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador, are sponsoring the Sportsmanship First Program.  In addition to the team sportsmanship banner, each team will nominate an individual player to receive an individual sportsmanship medal. 

The top teams will be awarded with gold and silver medals, while the winner of the championship game will also receive the coveted championship banner. 

For complete schedule and game scores, visit our Web site at www.schoolsportsnl.ca  

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2006 01 30                                                        3:30 p.m.