Maskwacis playing to win Kraft Hockeyville contest

After seeing an advertisement for Kraft Hockeyville on Hockey Night in Canada, Chief RandyErmineskinof the Ermineskin First Nation decided to nominate his home ofMaskwacis.

TheNeyaskweyahk Arena isone of 10 facilities acrossthe country in the running for the$100,000grand prize and to host anNHL pre-season game.

"I think it would be really good for our community," saidErmineskin.

"To see an NHL game, it might be the only NHL they might see in their entire lives."

Voting for the Kraft Hockeyville title started Sunday morning at 6 a.m. and runs until Monday.

Students from the local school voted for their arena whilestations were set upfor anyone withouta home computer.

• Two Alberta communities are finalists in Kraft Hockeyville
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Ermineskin saidthey willuse the prize money to upgrade thelightingand locker rooms in the arena.

"Once the game comes here, if we do manage to win the pre-season game, it's going to allow some of these children to dream," he said.

"For Ermineskin alone it's a huge thing because the impact is going to be so great. And for all of Maskwacis, the four reserves: Louis Bull, Ermineskin Samson, Montana.It's going to bring some unity even more."

The town of Didsbury, Alta, is also among the 10 contenders for the Kraft Hockeyville title.

Anyone over the age of 13 can vote onlinefor any ofthe 10 nominated communities.

On Mar. 18, KraftHockeyville organizers will announce the twocommunities that garneredthe most votes in the first round.Those two will battle it out for the 2017 title.