The community of Port aux Basques hopes that support from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will continue in the final round of the Kraft Hockeyville competition which begins in this province at midnight on March 30.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is encouraging people to visit the Hockeyville website at //www.cbc.ca/hockeyville  and continue voting in the third and final round.

"Support from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians both at home and abroad has helped the town come this far in the competition," Minister Jackman said. "Now, let�s help them go all the way and gain the coveted Hockeyville title."

In the last round, Port aux Basques defeated Rothesay, New Brunswick, to become the Atlantic representative in the competition. Now they are up against four other hockey towns including: Village sur Glace de Roberval, Quebec; Pilot Mound, Manitoba; Kingsville, Ontario and Wilcox, Saskatchewan.

The final winning community will host an NHL pre-season game and receive $100,000 to be used for upgrading their home arena.

Port aux Basques Mayor Brian Button says that support from the people across the province has been incredible and that the contest has the whole town excited.

"Hockeyville has been fabulous for Port aux Basques," said Mayor Button. "The competition has sparked an interest and enthusiasm in people of all ages in our town and when Saturday arrives we will be more than ready for the race to begin."

Voting in Newfoundland and Labrador ends on April 5 at 1:30 a.m. Kraft Hockeyville 2008 is sponsored by Kraft Canada, together with the CBC, the National Hockey League, and the NHL Players� Association.

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Media contact:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca