Team Canada plays its first game of the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship Tuesday night at the MTS Centre against Team Switzerland. As of Tuesday morning a few thousand seats remained for the game, with roughly 9,872 tickets already sold.

Approximately 104,690 tickets have been purchased for the week-long championship, breaking the all-time event ticket sales record of 94,000 set by Halifax at the last World Championship held in Canada in 2004.

Team Canada players are excited to be playing in front of Canadian fans once again, especially forward Meghan Agosta. Playing in her first World Women’s Hockey Championship, Agosta is thrilled that fans will be on their side throughout the tournament.

“First of all I think it is amazing that Worlds are held in Canada," said the 20-year-old scoring whiz. “We’ve had so much support over the years, and it’s great to know that this community is behind us. I just can’t wait to go out there and represent my country in front of Canadian fans.”

An emerging threat in women’s hockey, Agosta has been a member of Canada’s National Women’s Team since the 2004-05 season. She helped Canada capture gold at the 2006 Olympics, scoring three goals and collecting one assist in five games.

“Every time I get the chance to represent my country and wear this jersey, I’m honoured,” Agosta said. “I just go out and play my game and I have fun, and I’m just so happy to be playing in my first Women’s World Championship.”

Those attending Team Canada games throughout the tournament are encouraged to wear white in an attempt to make the crowd a “Whiteout,” a proud local tradition that was started by the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. It’s been a few years since fans were urged to re-ignite the “Whiteout,” meaning Agosta has never gone through this experience before. But she is looking forward to it.

“I think it’s great that the community is getting involved. It’s going to be great to see. I think I’ve played in situations where I’ve had many big crowds, though, so it doesn’t affect me. It actually brings energy to the game. Just being there listening to the fans cheer for you is amazing. And I think our team will get a lot of energy from it.”

Championship are available through Ticketmaster at (204) 780-3333, or by visiting ticketmaster.ca.