2011-12 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Athletics Media Release
hursday, January 12, 2012

UOIT to take part in the inaugural OUA Outdoor Classic

HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA), in partnership with the Hamilton Bulldogs is pleased to announce the inaugural OUA Outdoor Classic, featuring two games to be played as part of the 2012 AHL Outdoor Classic, presented by Molson Canadian and Boston Pizza.

Ivor Wynne Stadium will play host to the UOIT Ridgebacks as they take on the Brock Badgers on Thursday, January 19 at 3 p.m. In men’s hockey action, the Waterloo Warriors will host the Brock Badgers on Sunday, January 22 at 1 p.m.

Pioneer Energy is an official sponsor of the OUA Outdoor Classic. Harrow Sports Canada, official supplier and supporter of OUA hockey will present Player of the Game honours.

“We’re very excited at the opportunity to partner with OUA for this event,” said Hamilton Bulldogs Owner and Chairman Michael Andlauer. “These games represent exactly what will hopefully be the legacy of the 2012 AHL Outdoor Classic: the celebration of hockey as a sport and game that everyone can enjoy.”

“Ontario University Athletics is extremely grateful to Michael Andlauer and the Hamilton Bulldogs for this opportunity,” said Ward Dilse, OUA Executive Director. “As an organization, we’re always looking to enhance the experience for our student-athletes. Thanks to the Bulldogs and their generosity, these OUA hockey teams will experience a truly Canadian pastime.”

The OUA Outdoor Classic will be a historic event for CIS hockey. Although playing outdoors was common for a few universities prior to World War I, this will be the first time since then that a regular season outdoor game will be played between two Canadian university teams.

“What a great opportunity for our team to take part in this truly unique experience,” said UOIT head coach Karen Nystrom. “This will be a game that the players will look back on after their University career with great memories. We cannot wait to hit the ice outdoors on Thursday afternoon.”

"I am excited and feel very privileged to take part in this unique experience,” said Ridgebacks captain Jill Morillo. “Outdoor games have become a tradition and I would never have thought that I would get to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. This will definitely be a highlight in my Ridgebacks hockey career."

On the women’s side, the Badgers currently sit in seventh place and are holding their own for a playoff spot. UOIT is currently locked in a three-way tie with Western and Waterloo for the eighth and final playoff position. However with a game in hand, the OUA Outdoor Classic is essentially a must-win for the Ridgebacks if they want to carry on to the post season. These teams have split their two meetings this year, with Brock winning 5-2 in the season opener and UOIT winning 3-1 on January 8.

After facing off in the OUA Outdoor Classic, the Brock Badgers and UOIT Ridgebacks will re-take the ice, this time to take part in the Hamilton Bulldogs’ Skate the Dream program. The initiative was designed to break the barriers that prevent local children from learning to skate and playing hockey. OUA student-athletes will be on hand to tie skates and to provide on-ice instruction.

The matchup between Waterloo and Brock promises to bring great action to the local crowd. After bursting out of the gate with four wins in their first five games of the season and garnering a national ranking, the Warriors were faced with a reality check during a three game losing skid. So far in 2012 the Warriors have yet to find themselves in the win column but still manage to sit third in the West with an 11-5-3 record. Fourth place Brock sits at .500, and will use the OUA Outdoor Classic to spark momentum as the playoff push approaches. The last time these teams clashed, Brock walked away with a 5-2 win.
 
Admittance to the OUA Outdoor Classic women’s game is free of charge.

Tickets for the OUA Outdoor Classic men’s game will be on sale at the Beechwood gate entrance to Ivor Wynne Stadium, beginning at noon on game day. Adult tickets are 10 dollars, while students can gain entry for five dollars. Advance ticket purchase will be available during Waterloo’s home game on January 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Brock hockey fans can purchase tickets during the Badgers’ home tilt against the York Lions on January 20. All tickets are cash only.

ABOUT THE HAMILTON BULLDOGS
The 2007 Calder Cup Champion Hamilton Bulldogs have been an American Hockey League member club since 1996, and are the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens. There are over 40 former Hamilton Bulldogs currently on NHL rosters, and over 60% of all former ‘Dogs have played in at least one NHL game. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com <http://www.hamiltonbulldogs.com>  or Facebook.com/HamiltonBulldogs and follow us on Twitter: @BulldogsAHL


ABOUT THE AHL OUTDOOR CLASSIC
The Hamilton Bulldogs are proud to host the 2012 AHL Outdoor Classic, presented by Molson Canadian and Boston Pizza, at historic Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario. The event includes the 2012 PepsiCo AHL Outdoor Classic Alumni / Celebrity Game on January 20th, 2012 at Ivor Wynne Stadium and the 2012 PepsiCo AHL Outdoor Classic Alumni Luncheon at LIUNA Station, as well as the 2012 “Steeltown Showdown” between the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Toronto Marlies at Ivor Wynne Stadium on January 21st, 2012. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit www.outdoorclassic.ca <http://www.outdoorclassic.ca> or Facebook.com/OutdoorClassic.

- OUA -

ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College & UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca

Jessica Barrett
Communications & New Media
Ontario University Athletics
jessica.barrett@oua.ca
905-540-5156

Andrea Elliott
Communications Assistant
andrea.elliott@oua.ca

Courtesy of OUA Communications