Women's hockey teams playing at the Schwan's Super Rink this weekend will face more than one opponent. All teams are fighting a common opponent and that is breast cancer.

The Stick-It to Cancer Women's Ice Hockey Tournament will be held from April 20-22 at the Schwan's Super Rink at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Proceeds from the ninth annual event will be donated to the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. There are no awards given to winning teams in order to save on tournament costs.

"This tournament allows men and women to gather every year to learn more about the battle against breast cancer while raising needed funds in a healthy sports atmosphere," said Jackie Olson, tournament director, in a press release. "The tournament fills to capacity every year, and that's largely because the players believe strongly in the cause."

The tournament consists of 10 different divisions: U10, U12, U14, U16, U 19, Women's B and three tiers of Women's C. The tournament filled to a 74-team capacity two months in advance. Teams representing Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin will be playing.

Games are scheduled beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. on Sunday.

Daily tickets are priced at $8 for adults 19 and over and $6 for students 18 and under. A three-day tournament pass is available for $20 for adults and $15 for students. Children 6 and under get in free.

From 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, an all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast will be held at the Schwan's Center next to the Super Rink. The meal is priced at $6 for adults and $4 for youth. Children 3 and under eat free. The Park and Sell Auto-Mart in Ham Lake is sponsoring the waffle breakfast.

For more information on the Stick-It to Cancer Tournament, call the Schwan's Super Rink at 763-717-3880.

-Eric Hagen