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Rostraver Ice Garden finalist for Kraft title of Hockeyville, USA

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The Belle Vernon area is on the brink of becoming Hockeyville, USA.

Rostraver Ice Garden has been selected as one of 10 finalists in Kraft’s Hockeyville, USA contest.

Fans have the chance to vote for the winning rink, which will win $150,000 for arena upgrades and the chance to host a nationally televised National Hockey League preseason game in 2017-18.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Jim Murphy, owner of the Rostraver Township rink.

The first round of voting is taking place on www.krafthockeyville.com through Thursday, with the top four communities moving on.

The second round of voting will be held April 18 through 19. The final round of voting will be held April 24 through 25. The winner will be announced April 29.

Voting also is being conducted via text and Twitter.

The first of three rounds of voting to determine the Kraft Hockeyville USA 2017 winner began Tuesday.

Individuals who register to vote can text their vote up to 50 times, vote online up to 50 times and vote one time on Twitter, for a total of 101 votes.

“I want people to vote for the first three days, and we want to get their support again in the next rounds,” said Murphy.

As a finalist, the Ice Garden will receive at least $10,000 in arena upgrades.

Rostraver Ice Garden has a rich hockey history.

It was opened in 1965, and during the 1970s, it was used as a training facility for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Other professional sports programs, including the Mon Valley Thunder, the Pittsburgh River Rats and the Steel City Warriors, have played there.

Murphy said the rink is home to California University of Pennsylvania men’s and women’s hockey teams. At least five high school hockey teams, along with the Mon Valley Thunder youth hockey program, play at the Ice Garden.

California University of Pennsylvania student Christopher Kostick, who nominated Rostraver Ice Garden, called the rink “the most resilient rink in the world,” noting it reopened eight months after it was closed in February 2010 when a section of the roof collapsed under the weight of snow.

Murphy said his bucket list of capital improvements, if Rostraver Ice Garden is fortunate enough to win, includes a new compressor, improvements to the lobby flooring and parking lot improvements.

USA Hockey teamed up with Kraft Heinz on Kraft Hockeyville USA to help support and raise awareness for youth hockey across the country. All 50 states and the District of Columbia were represented among the individual rinks nominated.

There were more than 1,300 local rink nominations across the United States.

To submit a vote and to view information on other finalists, visit www.krafthockeyville.com.

In addition to the grand prize, $75,000 will be awarded to the runner-up. Two prizes of $25,000 will also be awarded as well as six $10,000 prizes.

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