World Championship tickets now on sale
Four- and six-game packages available for April 2-9 Championship
Preparations are in full swing for the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, coming to Ottawa April 2-9. The world’s top four women’s hockey teams — Canada, United States, Switzerland and Finland — will be playing at SBP Arena, home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, while teams five through eight — Czech Republic, Germany, Russia and Sweden — will compete at the Nepean Sportsplex. There will be 21 games played in total, starting with the classic Canada vs. United States rivalry game on April 2. The gold and bronze medal games will be played at SBP Arena on April 9.
This will mark the sixth time Canada has hosted the World Championship. Canada also hosted in 1990 in Ottawa, 1997 in Kitchener, 2000 in Mississauga, 2004 in Halifax, and 2007 in Winnipeg.
Canada is the defending champion. Caroline Ouellette scored the winning goal in overtime as Canada defeated arch rivals the United States 5-4 at the 2012 World Championship in Burlington, Vermont. Last year’s victory gave Canada 10 gold medals, to go along with four silvers in the 14 times the Championship has been held.
Tickets for the Championship are available in a variety of packages and are selling briskly. The Gold Medal Playoff Ticket Package starts at just $114, plus applicable fees, and features six games, including two quarter-finals Saturday, April 6; both semifinals Monday, April 8; and the bronze and gold medal games Tuesday, April 9. All three doubleheaders take place at SBP Arena. All Team Canada preliminary games start at 7:30 p.m.
A trio of two-packs start at just $69, plus applicable fees, and features four games. All three options include the Canada-United States and Switzerland-Finland games Tuesday, April 2, along with the choice of either the Canada-Switzerland and Finland-U.S. preliminary games Wednesday, April 3; both quarter-finals Saturday, April 6 or both semifinals Monday, April 8. “Our goal is to truly give fans the best bang for their buck,” said Valerie Hughes, general manager of the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship. “We want as many hockey fans as possible to take advantage of the chance to cheer on Team Canada and see the very best in women’s hockey when the world championship comes to the nation’s capital this spring.”
Pre-Championship action will take place across the Ottawa area
“We want as many hockey fans as possible to take advantage of the chance to cheer on Team Canada.”
– Valerie Hughes General Manager, 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship
March 29-31, with seven different towns and cities hosting international teams for camps, while Arnprior, Pembroke and Smiths Falls will all host pre-Championship games. Tickets to the Switzerland-Russia game in Arnprior, Canada-Sweden game in Pembroke and Finland-Czech Republic game in Smiths Falls range from $5 to $20 per person, plus applicable fees.
“These international pre-competition games will be a great way for fans to warm up for the world championship,” said Hughes. “We look forward to seeing the communities of Arnprior, Pembroke and Smiths Falls come out to their local rinks to take in the top women’s hockey in the world.”
D.I.F.D. (Do It For Daron) will be the charity of choice for the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship. D.I.F.D. is a youth-driven initiative at The Royal focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health.
D.I.F.D. supporters can purchase tickets for the Wednesday, April 3 doubleheader games featuring the United States vs. Finland and Switzerland vs. Canada and sit in the dedicated “Power to the Purple” section of SBP Arena. Fans are encouraged to wear purple to show their solidarity to the cause. Five dollars from each ticket sold in this section will be donated to D.I.F.D. at The Royal. Individual tickets are available for $39 each through www.hockeycanada.ca /2013ottawa (promo code: DIFD), while group tickets (nine or more) can be purchased for $34 each by emailing 2013wwcgroups@hockeycanada.ca.
“We are so honoured and excited for D.I.F.D.’s partnership with the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship,” said Stephanie and Luke Richardson, parents of Daron Richardson. “It will inspire more open conversations about youth mental health. Through conversations, we can gain better understanding of mental health, address our own stigmas and make it comfortable for our kids to talk about this important issue. Our family is grateful to have such enormous support from the hockey community.”
A variety of Championship-related events will take place during Winterlude, including the Parade of Jerseys on Saturday, Feb. 9. Skaters are invited to wear their favourite hockey jersey and skate down the Rideau Canal Skateway as part of the Hockey Day in Canada and 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship celebration events. The parade starts at 10 a.m. from the Bronson Bridge and proceeds north. The Alumni Shinny Showdown will be played on the Canal at the National Arts Centre following the Parade. This exciting shinny game will be played between the Ottawa Senators Alumni and the Team Canada Women Alumni at 11 a.m.
Each Friday night, starting Friday, Feb. 8, the 2013 WWC will host an hour of ice time at the Rink of Dreams at City Hall. From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., the 2013 WWC will encourage the community to come out in their favourite international ice hockey jerseys and skate. The 2013 WWC will give away prizes and have special guests.