CALGARY, Alta. – The top players in women’s hockey are headed to Sarnia, Ont., as Canada’s National Women’s Team announced it will play host to the United States in the finale of its two-game December Series on Dec. 19, 2016 at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

The players selected to represent Canada later this year will face off against the United States on the Canadian side of the border at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Tickets are available for purchase online and at the Sarnia Sting box office by calling (519) 541-1717 for $20 each.

The two-game series will also serve as an important evaluation touchpoint prior to selecting Canada’s roster for the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Plymouth, Mich., from March 31-April 7. Canada will also take on its rivals in Plymouth on Dec. 17, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT at the USA Hockey Arena.

“This series will mark another step in the selection process leading into the world championship and in deciding Canada’s centralization team as we look towards the 2018 Olympic Games,” said Melody Davidson, Hockey Canada’s general manager of national women’s team programs. “This will be a display of the best-on-best competition on the ice and it will give our players another opportunity to showcase their games on the international level prior to final selections later this season.”

Sarnia previously hosted the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and the upcoming December Series will mark the first time Canada’s National Women’s Team will compete head-to-head against its rivals in the city.

“We are thrilled that world-class hockey will be on display again in Ontario and are looking forward to hosting Canada’s National Women’s Team in Sarnia,” said Fran Rider, president of the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for fans to watch the top players in North America go head-to-head on Canadian soil and certainly marks another celebration of female hockey in our province.”

“We are extremely honoured to have the opportunity to once again work with Hockey Canada and welcome Canada’s National Women’s Team and the United States’ Women’s National Team to our community,” said Vicky Praill from Tourism Sarnia-Lambton. “It has been a pleasure working with the City of Sarnia Parks and Recreation Department and the Sarnia Sting organization; we are all extremely excited to be part of this historic event.”

Canada’s roster for the inaugural December Series will be announced later this month.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Women.