It will be exhibition hockey with an edge when four CIHL north-western teams - the Kitimat Ice Demons, the Terrace River Kings, the Prince Rupert Rampage and the Smithers Steelheads - gather in Kitimat over the weekend of September 23-24 to compete in two double-headers of hard hitting hockey, for Ice Demons’ Northern Challenge Cup.
There will be four games, two on Friday night and two on Saturday.
The tournament starts with a match-up of traditional rivals, the Kitimat Ice Demons and the Terrace River Kings, Friday night at 7.30 p.m.
And Smithers will take on the Prince Rupert Rampage at 9.45 p.m.
One $10 ticket gives fans both games.
Admission will be the same Saturday when the Rampage and River Kings will clash at 3.30 p.m. And Kitimat and Smithers, a much anticipated game, will go at 7.30 p.m.
The Prince Rupert Rampage hosted the tournament last season and will be defending the Cup, which has been won over the years by Demons, Steelheads and the Rampage, providing incentive for the River Kings.
A beer gardens is planned for both events and concessions will be open.
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The Kitimat Ice Demons, winners of the 2011 Coy Cup in Prince Rupert, are applying to host the 2012 Provincial Senior Men’s Hockey Championship in Kitimat in March.
The B.C. Amateur Hockey Association, which owns the tournament, will review applications and a decision on location is expected by September 16.
If successful, the Ice Demons will form a committee to carry out preparations, promote and market the provincial championship over the regular season.
Kitimat last hosted the Coy Cup in 2006, winning it for the second time after an initial win by Port Hardy in 2005.