Article content Acadia Axemen captain Liam Kidney, left, looks for a rebound in front of Saint Mary’s Huskies goalie Ben West while being defended by Nolan Dillingham in the first game of the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey season on Oct. 1. Photo by Peter Oleskevich /Acadia AthleticsArticle contentDozens of dignitaries and U Sports leaders assembled at Scotiabank Centre to announce the details of ticket packages, as well as some rule tweaks for the University Cup. The top tier package for eight games will be $145 but prices for students, military, seniors and youth are lower. The cost also drops if a seat is located outside of the prime viewing area between the blue-lines in the lower bowl.Article content“We have adopted the theme of ‘The Cup comes home,’” said Chris Larsen, president of Sports Entertainment Atlantic. “It is all too fitting because in 2015 when Saint Mary’s was the host of the University Cup that year, the all-time attendance record for any U Sports championship, regardless of sport, was set – 43,513 fans were next door in the Scotiabank Centre enjoying that incredible hockey. Our goal this year is to break that mark. It’s an ambitious goal but we’re happy to take it on.”Article contentArticle contentU Sports president and CEO Pierre Arsenault also took to the podium to describe the new overtime rules. The tournament has a compressed single-elimination format and a game at last year’s competition went into quintuple OT so there needed to be a new formula to avoid those kinds of marathons in the preliminary rounds.Article content“We’ve approved the changes that if we get to overtime, it will be one 20-minute period of five-on-five,” Arsenault said. “If there is no winner declared, then we would move to a five-minute period of three-on-three. If there’s no winner declared at that point, then we’d move to the shootout. That’s for the quarter-finals and the semifinals. The gold medal game will play five-on-five overtime until it’s determined by scoring.”Article contentLike any national or international championship that comes to Halifax, the downtown area will benefit financially.Article contentArticle content“These championships are expected to generate more than $2 million in economic activity,” said Dave Ritcey, Nova Scotia Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “Events like this bring more than just memories. It strengthens our province’s reputation to be a leader, both in sport and in tourism. So, when the puck drops next March, fans from across Canada will see what we already know – that Nova Scotia has the heart, passion and community spirit to deliver unforgettable sporting experiences.”Article contentAdded Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore: “All of this just cements Halifax as an incredible host city. It’s very exciting for sports fans and a big time for the hotels and restaurants and all that, so there is an economic activity benefit to this as well. When all of those families, when all of those players and when all those fans come to town, my message to them is ‘We hope that you take your time to explore Halifax the best you can, enjoy the hospitality, enjoy the sportsmanship and then you spend a little bit of money while you’re here.’”Article content
University sports leaders join forces to build momentum through series of national championships in Halifax
