MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota [August 5, 2004] – The action was fast and furious as the 2004 PowerHockey Cup ended round robin play Wednesday night and begins its Championship Day today with games beginning at 12:30 pm, and culminating with the Championship Game at 8:00 pm. Cable 12 (NW suburbs) will be televising the 3rd Place and Championship Game with full play-by-play coverage (tape-delay). Tom Witschen, who does broadcasts of University of Minnesota athletics, will provide play-by-play, along with Kevin Falness and Karyn Bye (both representing the NHL’s Minnesota Wild). The Minnesota Wild’s organist, Palmer Harbison will be entertaining everyone with stadium hockey tunes. The games are being played at Augsburg College’s (Minneapolis) S.I. Melby Hall gymnasium.
The first playoff game is between the 3rd seed Minnesota Saints and 4th seed Carolina Fury. The Saints won the first two games between the two teams and look to advance to the semifinal game against the 2001 PowerHockey World Cup defending champion Toronto Rock, but face a determined and improving team in the Fury. The losing teams of the opener and semifinal game will play for 3 rd Place . The winner of the semifinal game advances to face the Minnesota Stars in the Championship Game. 2001 Tournament MVP Chris Kram (Minnesota Stars) and Championship Game MVP Michelle Duboulay (Toronto Rock) have both returned to lay claim to the PowerHockey Cup.
Standings after round-robin play:
Minnesota Stars (4-0-1)
Toronto Rock (3-2-0)
Minnesota Saints (2-2-1)
Carolina Fury (0-5-0)
The Minnesota-based U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (U.S. EWHA), a non-profit organization and member of Disabled Sports USA, is hosting the event. The 2004 PowerHockeyT Cup also marks the first official event of the North American PowerHockeyT Association (NAPHA), a joint venture of the U.S. EWHA and Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (CEWHA). The purpose of NAPHA is to develop a strong working relationship between all developed power wheelchair hockey programs throughout North America and abroad. NAPHA members will work together to form the future for PowerHockeyT tournaments.
For more information about the U.S. EWHA visit the website: www.powerhockey.com. To obtain a quote from a U.S. EWHA representative, call (763) 535-4736.
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Contact:
U.S. ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
7216 39TH AVE. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Tel: 763.535.4736
Fax: 208.279.1368
Web Site: www.powerhockey.com
Email: info@powerhockey.com