OUA and Hamilton Bulldogs partner for OUA men's and women's hockey 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 Waterloo Warriors as they take on the Brock Badgers on Sunday, January 22 at 1 p.m. OUA women’s hockey will also be showcased as the UOIT Ridgebacks host the Brock Badgers to kick off OUA Outdoor Classic action on Thursday, January 19 at 3 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.

"This is an exciting event and we are grateful and thrilled to be part of it,” said Murray Nystrom, Head Coach of Brock Badgers men’s hockey team. “This outdoor game presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone at Brock University, our alumni and the community to experience."
 
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.
 
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.

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. Admittance to the OUA Outdoor Classic women’s game is free of charge.

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 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 or Facebook.com/OutdoorClassic.

-OUA-