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Powerplay backs Charity Shield season opener

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The country's top ice hockey magazine POWERPLAY has thrown its weight behind the upcoming season curtain raiser between Nottingham and Coventry in the Charity Shield.

The GMB Nottingham Panthers will host the Cassidy Coventry Blaze at the fabulous National Ice Centre in Nottingham on Wednesday September 5th 2007 (7.30pm).

It's the first "Charity Shield" event of its kind in British ice hockey and sees last season's play-off winning Panthers tackle the double-winning Blaze.

Now Powerplay's editor Steve Clarke has agreed to back the event with a special edition of the magazine on the night of the game and advertising through the summer leading up to the big game.

The special magazine, available at the game, will include Powerplay's first issue of the new season but will be "wrapped" in a special section about the Charity Shield game. Proceeds from magazine sales will be added to the charity/grass roots development pot. The National Ice Centre isn't charging for the venue on the night and all money raised is being split between charity and grass roots development in Nottingham and Coventry.

Steve Clarke said : "It is a great venture and good for the sport to be doing their bit and we wanted to help in any way we can. Coventry and Nottingham lifted the big silverware last season and this promises to be a really good game with a good contest to determine the early season bragging rights for the Midlands, if not the whole of the country. We want to wish everyone success with the venture and we will be urging fans across the country to make the effort to get to the game and show the world that hockey fans are the best and that they care about each other and others outside the sport!"

GMB Panthers' GM Gary Moran added : "It is great to have Powerplay on board, it means everyone will have a great souvenir of the first Charity Shield game in British ice hockey with at least £2 from the cover price of £3 will be going into the fund-raising pot so hopefully it will help us raise even more money for charity. Our thanks to Steve and his crew and of course to Coventry for taking part and to the National Ice Centre for giving us the venue. It should be a good night for everyone. We'll keep everyone up to date with developments as the game gets closer."

Tickets for the game went on sale this week and there has been steady interest despite it being early June. Adults £10, children/concessions £5, available from the NIC box office on 01158533002. Unreserved seating to maximize fund raising efforts.

No booking fees involved when tickets are collected in person, a specially reduced mailing out fee of just £2.50 per order is available if required.