TEAM CANADA SUCCESSFUL
IN FIRST EXHIBITION SERIES

December 5, 2005, Winnipeg, Manitoba: The Scotiabank Sponsored Canadian National Women's Bandy Team returned successfully from an Exhibition series with the US National Women's Bandy Team, December 3 and 4th. The exhibition series consisted of two games against Team USA at the Roseville, Minnesota Bandy Facility, the only such facility in North America. Bandy is played on an ice surface the size of a soccer field and unfortunately Canada does not have a facility on which the Women's or Men's National Bandy Teams could practice and/or play. The Roseville Bandy Rink is the host site for the 2006 Women's World Bandy Championships.

The two game series was the first time Team Canada had faced an opponent and the first time they had ever played on a regulation sized rink. Up until now, the Women's National Team has been practicing in the Landmark Arena in Landmark, Manitoba, which is considerably smaller than the 125 yard by 75 yard regulation sized Bandy rink.

"I was thrilled at the way they played," said Team Coach and member of the Men's National Bandy Team, Gennaro Macchia. "We knew we had good skaters, but not having a regulation sized rink to practice on is a significant disadvantage…however, you would not have known it was their first time ever…they were terrific," added Macchia.

Team Canada tied the US National Team 2-2 in the first game played under the lights, opening the scoring on a goal by Lindsay Burns, the first goal for Team Canada. Canada took the lead again in the second period on a goal by Andrea Ferguson. The Americans answered late in the final period with a goal of their own, resulting in the tie. Game two played early in the morning on December 4th, saw Canada get out to a 3-0 lead, with Ainsley Ferguson scoring the first two goals followed by Chris Delisle, who scored Canada's third straight goal on a breakaway. The Americans answered with one of their own late in the second period. Final score Canada 3 - USA 1.

"The girls were very excited to play Team USA and were thrilled at the outcome…we felt it was important to go to Minneapolis prior to World's to get a better understanding of the game and the large playing surface," added Costa Cholakis, Team Coach and member of the Men's National Bandy Team.

The team is comprised of elite Ringette players from Winnipeg, Lorette, Stonewall, St. Andrews and Steinbach. Players include: Sheena MacDonald, Chelsea Hansen, Michelle Madziak, Andrea Ferguson, Leah Jones, Ainsley Ferguson, Lindsay Burns, Courtney Burns, Lynn Despiegelaere, Danielle Sykes, Amy Clarkson, Caley Miskimmin, Kristy Maksymyk, Lindsay Myseniuk, Shelly Hruska Christine Delisle, Dominique Carriere & Mandy Nordstrom. Manager, Jan Burns. Coaches: Costa Cholakis and Gennaro Macchia.

Team Canada will compete at the World Championships February 13-18, 2006, against Norway, Finland, Russia, Sweden and USA. Bronze and Gold medal games are scheduled for February 18th.

Bandy is best described as field hockey on skates, played on an ice surface the size of a soccer field. Each team is made up of 18 players with 11 per side on-ice including a goalkeeper. The objective is to score goals by hitting an orange ball the size of a tennis ball into the opposing team's net with a curved stick, some four feet in length. The ball has a cork center and a hard rubber cover. The goal measures seven feet by eleven and a half feet. While the goalkeeper wears more padding than other players she does not use a stick and is the only player allowed to use their hands to control the ball. Games consist of two 35 minute halves with a ten minute interval at half-time. The rules of Bandy are very similar to soccer. Bandy is now recognized as an Olympic sport.

For more information contact the Canadian Bandy Federation, 4th floor, 200 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba at 204-925-5641.