EDMONTON, ALTA. - The NAIT Ooks are set to play host to the University of Alberta Golden Bears on December 28th at 7:00 pm in the NAIT Arena, as a part of Face-Off 2018. The two teams will be playing each other for the second straight year since reviving the historic Face-Off rivalry last year at Northlands Coliseum. 

The meeting this December between the Ooks and Bears will be the 9^th ever Face-Off game, and the second since 1991. NAIT and The University of Alberta competed in seven Face-Off games from 1984/85 through 1990/1991, before resurrecting the series last season. This is the first time that Face-Off won't be held at either the Northland Coliseum or Agricom, the game this year will be held at the NAIT Arena.

"We are looking forward to playing them again this year. I think it is important to keep Face-Off going. We have a storied history that we can continue to grow. It will be a fun game against an elite program. Hopefully, we can the support from the hockey community to attend this event," said Ooks' head coach, Tim Fragle.

The two teams both come into the game following solid first halves to their respective seasons. The NAIT Ooks are currently 10-4 and sit 2nd in the ACAC men's hockey standings, while the University of Alberta Golden Bears sit 2nd in the Canada West men's hockey standings with a record of 12-3-1. The Ooks & Golden Bears have a long-standing hockey rivalry, dating back to their first-ever meeting in October of 1979. Since then the Ooks and Bears have met over 50 times, including eight Face-Off games.

Tickets for the event will be $10 at the door. For information regarding bringing minor hockey teams out, please contact Shawn Belle - sbelle@nait.ca

Sam Nahrgang • Sports Information • (780) 471-7606 • snahrgang@nait.ca