ST. PAUL, Minn. – Canada’s National Women’s Team will take on the United States twice this week, with the first game set for Wednesday, December 30 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. (7 p.m. CT) and the second scheduled for Friday, January 1 at SBP Arena in Ottawa, Ont. (7 p.m. ET).

These will be the final match-ups of a six-game series between the international rivals leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and the last two chances for fans to see the top women’s hockey teams in the world before they go for gold in Vancouver, B.C.

Canada defeated the United States in the first four games of the series, winning 3-1 on October 5 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, B.C., 5-2 on October 16 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash., 4-2 on December 12 at Magness Arena in Denver, Colo. and 6-2 on December 15 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alta.

In total, Canada has five wins in eight games against the United States during the 2009-10 season.

This Friday’s game in Ottawa will feature a special pre-game presentation to National Women’s Team member Jayna Hefford to celebrate her 200th international game. Hefford reached the milestone on Friday, November 6 when Canada faced the United States at the 2009 4 Nations Cup in Finland. The first 4,000 fans who walk through the doors of SBP Arena will receive a commemorative souvenir to mark Hefford’s accomplishment.

ACCREDITATION EXTENSION: Members of the media who wish to cover the National Women’s Team game versus the United States in Ottawa this weekend can request accreditation until end of day Wednesday, December 30. Confirmation will be sent to accredited media on Thursday, December 31.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ACCREDITATION REQUEST ONLINE

Tickets for the Ottawa game start at $10 plus applicable charges and can be purchased online at www.capitaltickets.ca, by calling 613-599-FANS (3267) or 1-877-799 FANS (3267), or in person at The Sens Store in Rideau Centre and Place d’Orléans, at any Sports Experts location in Ottawa and at the SBP box office. The game will be televised by Hockey Canada’s official broadcaster TSN/RDS. Check your local listings for times.

Although this Wednesday’s game in St. Paul won’t be televised in Canada, fans can find a complete game summary and story at www.hockeycanada.ca.

CANADA’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM SCHEDULE IN ST. PAUL AND OTTAWA:

Wednesday, December 30:

Pre-game skate in St. Paul, Minn. – 10:30-11:15 a.m. CT

Canada vs. United States at Xcel Energy Centre – 7 p.m. CT

Thursday, December 31:

Depart from St. Paul – 8:35 a.m. CT on Northwest Flight 7396

Arrive in Ottawa, Ont. – 2:18 p.m. ET on Northwest Flight 4067 (via Detroit, Mich.)

Friday, January 1:

Pre-game skate – 10-10:45 a.m. ET

Canada vs. United States at SBP Arena – 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, January 2 – Tuesday, January 5:

National Women’s Team members depart Ottawa for Calgary, Alta.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Players and staff are available for interviews following practices and games, however schedule is subject to change and some ice times are limited to certain players. Kristen Lipscombe, Hockey Canada’s coordinator of media, is on site with the National Women’s Team and can be reached at 403-826-4819 or [email protected].