CALGARY, Alta. – Canada’s National Women’s Team will host the United States on Tuesday, December 15 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alta. (7:30 p.m. MT). The match-up is the fourth of a six-game series between the top women’s hockey teams in the world leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.

Canada is coming off a 4-2 win over the United States on Saturday, December 12 in Denver, Colo. The victory gives Canada four wins in seven games against the U.S. during the 2009-10 season, including the first three games of the six-game series.

Canada defeated the United States 3-1 on October 5 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, B.C. and earned a 5-2 victory on October 16 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash. The National Women’s Team also won gold at the 4 Nations Cup last month, beating the United States 5-1 in the final game of the five-day tournament held in Finland. The teams also met at the Hockey Canada Cup in Vancouver in September.

Tuesday’s game in Calgary will feature a special pregame presentation to National Women’s Team member Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, Sask.) to celebrate her 300th international point. Wickenheiser reached the milestone on Tuesday, September 1, contributing two assists to help Canada to a 10-2 win over Finland.

NOTE TO ACCREDITED PHOTOGRAPHERS: Photographers who will be at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Tuesday evening can meet at the Zamboni entrance of the arena at 7:25 p.m. for pictures of the presentation to Wickenheiser.

The game at the Pengrowth Saddledome will be the only chance for fans to see Canada play the United States before the Olympics in the province that has been home to the National Women’s Team since August. Canada has been travelling across Alberta to play against teams from the Alberta Midget Hockey League and currently holds an 11-5 record in the ongoing NWT Midget Series.

Tickets are currently on sale for tomorrow night’s game in Calgary and range in price from $15-$25 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Pengrowth Saddledome ticket office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 403-777-0000 or by ordering online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

The game will be televised by Hockey Canada’s official broadcaster TSN/RDS. Check your local listings for times. Fans can find a complete game summary and story at www.hockeycanada.ca.

Canada’s National Women’s Team will take on the United States again on Wednesday, December 30 at the Xcel Energy Centre in St. Paul, Minn. (7 p.m. CT) and on Friday, January 1 at SBP Arena in Ottawa, Ont. (7 p.m. ET).

CANADA’S NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, December 15:
Pre-game skate - 10:30-11:30 a.m. MT
Canada vs. United States at Calgary Saddledome – 7:30 p.m. MT

Wednesday, December 16:
Practice - 10:30-11:30 a.m. MT – Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, Alta.

Thursday, December 17:
Pre-game skate in Medicine Hat, Alta. – 11 a.m.-12 p.m. MT
Canada @ Medicine Hat Tigers at Medicine Hat Arena – 7:30 p.m. MT

Friday, December 18:
Pre-game skate in Lethbridge, Alta. – 10:30-11:30 a.m. MT
Canada @ Lethbridge Titans at Nicholas Sheran Ice Centre– 8:30 p.m. MT

MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Players and staff are available following practices and games, including Tuesday’s pregame skate at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alta. Please contact Chris Jurewicz, Hockey Canada’s coordinator of media relations, or Kristen Lipscombe, Hockey Canada’s coordinator of media, in advance to arrange interviews as schedule is subject to change and some ice times are limited to certain players. Chris can be reached at 403-880-5819 or [email protected] and Kristen can be reached at 403-826-4819 or [email protected].