Memorial Cup begins Friday in Vancouver

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Competing Teams Announced for MasterCard Memorial Cup

Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League today announced the four teams that will compete for the 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup, which opens at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver on Friday, May 18, 2007.

The Lewiston MAINEiacs, Plymouth Whalers, Medicine Hat Tigers and the host Vancouver Giants have all qualified for the 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

The Lewiston MAINEiacs captured the President Cup after defeating the Val-d'Or Foreurs in four consecutive games and finished the QMJHL playoffs with a 16-1 record. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier was the playoff MVP.

The Plymouth Whalers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup after defeating the Sudbury Wolves in six games. The Whalers wrapped up the series on Sunday in Sudbury with a 3-2 overtime win, overtime was required for three of the six games in this series.

The Medicine Hat Tigers captured the WHL Championship with 3-2 double overtime win last night. Brennan Bosch put a wrist shot by goaltender Tyson Sexsmith to help the Tigers pick up their second WHL crown in four years. Goaltender Matt Keetley was named the Playoff MVP for his strong play between the pipes.

The Vancouver Giants will host the National Major Junior Hockey Championship after finishing the regular season with the fourth best record in the WHL and taking the eventual WHL Champion Medicine Hat Tigers to double overtime in Game 7 of the league final.

The 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup will run from May 18-27, 2007 in Vancouver, B.C. with all games being played at the Pacific Coliseum. RSN and RDS are the national broadcasters of the 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup and all games will be available live on INSINC @ http://www4.insinc.com/memorialcup/. The semi-final and final games can also be heard through the FAN network @ http://www.fan590.com/.

GAME SCHEDULE:

Friday, May 18, 2007 @ 6:00pm PST / 9:00pm EST Game #1: Plymouth Whalers @ Vancouver Giants

Saturday, May 19, 2007 @ 1:00pm PST / 4:00pm EST Game#2: Medicine Hat Tigers @ Lewiston MAINEiacs

Sunday, May 20, 2007 @ 1:30pm PST / 4:30pm EST Game #3: Vancouver Giants @ Lewiston MAINEiacs

Monday, May 21, 2007 @ 5:00pm PST / 8:00pm EST Game #4: Medicine Hat Tigers @ Plymouth Whalers

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 @ 5:00pm PST / 8:00pm EST Game #5: Lewiston MAINEiacs @ Plymouth Whalers

Wednesday, May 23, 2007 @ 7:30pm PST / 10:30pm EST Game #6: Vancouver Giants @ Medicine Hat Tigers

Thursday, May 24, 2007 @ 7:30pm PST / 10:30pm EST Tie Breaker Game (if required)

Friday, May 25, 2007 @ 5:00pm PST / 8:00pm EST Semi Final Game

Sunday, May 27, 2007 @ 1:00pm PST / 4:00pm EST MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship Game

All games will be broadcast live nationally on Rogers Sportsnet and games featuring the QMJHL Champions will be shown on RDS.

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