2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule and Game Times

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Committee today announced the schedule and start times for the National Championship which will be held May 14-23 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, MB.

The puck drops on Friday May 14 at 7:00 pm central time when the host Wheat Kings take on the champions from the OHL, with the tournament wrapping up with the Championship Final scheduled for Sunday May 23 at 2:00 pm central time. All games will be broadcast to a national audience live on Rogers Sportsnet and RDS.

The 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup will be hosted in the province of Manitoba for the first time ever in the event’s 92-year history. Competing against the league champions from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Host Wheat Kings will be striving for their first MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship. This will be the fifth time the Wheat Kings have competed in the event including past appearances in 1996, 1995, with runner-up finishes in 1979 and in 1949.

2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule (All times Central):

Round-Robin Game 1 – OHL vs. Brandon on Friday May 14, 2010 at 7:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)

Round-Robin Game 2 – WHL vs. QMJHL on Saturday May 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm (3:00 pm Eastern)

Round-Robin Game 3 – Brandon vs. QMJHL on Sunday May 16, 2010 at 2:00 pm (3:00 pm Eastern)

Round-Robin Game 4 – WHL vs. OHL on Monday May 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)

Round-Robin Game 5 – QMJHL vs. OHL on Tuesday May 18, 2010 at 7:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)

Round-Robin Game 6 – Brandon vs. WHL on Wednesday May 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)

Tie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday May 20, 2010 at 7:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)

Semi-Final – Friday May 21, 2010 at 7:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)

Championship Final – Sunday May 23, 2010 at 2:00 pm (3:00 pm Eastern)

A limited number of 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament packages are available for $399 plus GST and fans interested in purchasing are encouraged to contact the Wheat Kings' office at 204-726-3535 or by email at office@wheatkings.com.

Last season the OHL Champion Windsor Spitfires captured their first MasterCard Memorial Cup title by defeating the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets 4-1 in the Championship Final. The QMJHL was represented by league champions the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the host Rimouski Oceanic.

The event is proudly supported by title sponsor MasterCard with associate sponsors Bank of Montreal and Subway.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)