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NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Merrimack College and Lawler Arena have teamed up with the Massachusetts Intercollegiate Athletic Association to host 12 games of the 2011 Super 8 High School Hockey Tournament beginning March 5.

“We are excited about hosting such a historic and talented tournament,” said Merrimack Director of Athletics Glenn Hofmann. “We feel the renovated Lawler Arena is the perfect venue for a premiere high school hockey tournament, and we look forward to welcoming the elite high school hockey teams in Massachusetts to our campus.”’

Merrimack will host Super 8 Tournament games on March 5, 8, 9, 13, and 16. Tickets to all games at Lawler Arena will be available on the day of each game only. There will be no advance ticket sales.

“On behalf of the MIAA and MIAA ice hockey committee, we’re delighted to establish a new partnership with Merrimack College,” said Bill Gaine, Deputy Director of the MIAA. “We look forward to having them host us and become the new home of the ice hockey tournament.”

Merrimack College will also host MIAA high school hockey tournament games in 2012.

Prior to and during the 2010-11 college hockey season, Lawler Arena underwent numerous renovations including the installation of chairback seats throughout the arena, a new student section, a renovated lobby and entranceway, a new press box, a graphics scoreboard, a new ice bed and compressor, a tunnel connecting the visiting locker rooms to the bench, and a new speaker system.

In the midst of its best season since joining Hockey East, the Merrimack hockey team enters this weekend with a 21-5-4 record, 15-5-3 in Hockey East, ranked fourth in the country. The Warriors have set school records for wins in a season and points in Hockey East while eying their second-ever NCAA Tournament bid.

Playing in the renovated Lawler Arena, Merrimack has played to seven sellout crowds this season and ranks second in Hockey East in attendance based on capacity filled.